Intention tremor and art . . .
 

This is kind of strange, but it is consistent enough that I wanted to report it here. I have Intention Tremor (link below) in both hands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intention_tremor

I have recently been expanding my artistic skills, and I’ve been using a Wacom tablet while trying to learn to digitally paint on my computer.

My tremor, of course, is a problem when it comes to manual dexterity, but I am a big believer in “mind over matter,” and when I am using the Wacom tablet I concentrate really, REALLY hard to control my right hand.

I had not noticed it, but my hubby observed that when I am controlling my right hand with great concentration, my left hand takes on a life of its own.

It almost seems that I have willed my tremor into my left hand alone. If I really concentrate on my right hand, and sort of let my left hand do what it needs to do, I have fairly good control of my right hand. Meanwhile the left hand is twitching and doing its own thing. I am super pleased with this new understanding. As strange as it is, it is a skill that I intend to nurture.

Just sayin’.

Wow Marion, that is incredible. You must have a very strong concentration and will power. At work I had to hide my hands in my pockets when they decided to tremor.

If I tried to get a coffee cup to my mouth it might or might not tremor. I did not control it, I couldn't control it.

So I got to a point of not wanting to eat with friends at the same table. I would eat in my car or try for an earlier lunch. Thank goodness for Clonazepam. I took it before meals. It calms my tremors. I also helps me eat without choking from spasms.

That is amazing. Good luck with the artwork painting. A hobby is good. :hug:

That is amazing, Marion..:hug:

Are you going to post some of your art here, for us?;)

That is so cool, Marion. :cool: The concentration can be hard, but the accomplishment is great. Glad you are able to do it.

I've gone the abstract route with my painting because of spasms and stuff. I just call it an "artistic element" if one suddenly comes on when I'm painting. :D

I am finding myself being forced to be much more economical with brush strokes and such . . . which in a way is good. I think my days of niggling every painting to death are over!

:icon_lol: I have bilateral intention tremor too, predominantly in my left hand. I'm just imagining your left hand "doing its thing" while you concentrate on the right.

I hope that you stay at a level where that technique continues to work for you for a very long time. The cerebellar lesions are such a pain.

Sure thing, Sal. I'll post it here the minute I have something worth blinking at. :)

frustrated artist
 

I have been painting for most of my life (I'm 68) but never had the time to do it full time. Now that I'm not working I have so much more time to devote to painting. I have, however, developed a tremor (intention tremor) which is getting worse. I have been doing small detailed paintings but I just can't do it anymore. I'm trying to find a style, develop a style that will work with a shaky hand. Its hard to change your style. I have tried abstract but find there is so much more to it than just flinging paint at a canvas.
I am desperate for something that will lessen the tremors. I am investigating Deep brain stimulation. It may not work for me. I can't drink wine to calm myself. Is there medical marijuana that would work for a tremor? I will not give up painting.
In regard to a previous post by Miz Barbie, I have found that by thinking about my left hand my right hand relaxes more.
any thoughts?

Have you thought about putting a wrist weight on your wrist? The weight holds the wrist a little steady.

My dad was sick earlier this year, and couldn't write very well. I can't get him to try a weight on his wrist, which was something I'd read about for problems like tremors. He either doesn't believe me, or he just thinks the idea is stupid, but I think it would help. The websites where I saw it suggested said it helps. It's not a treatment, but more like a tool that helps.

If I could get my dad to try it, I have some wrist weights that I'd bought to play games with on the Wii video game system that I have. They're only 1 1/2 pounds. I just need to convince him to try them. It's not going to hurt anything for him to try.

Sally, I'm sorry it took so long to post this. Here is a link to my page in fineartsamerica.com.

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/marion-daly.html