PAINTING & PITUITARY - My Story

Where it all began !!

WELCOME to my WORLD - Well - that's something i NEVER thought i would hear myself ... TYPE !!

Im Abby - 20 Years ago I was quiet and not very social, demure even ... Got a Boyfriend / Later to be my husband / had two FABULOUS KIDS - was very obliging ! Then I got ill - and now - WOW - Im a different person entirely  !

My weight Ballooned ( Even though i have never been 'small' !! )

I started getting the most IMMENSE headaches -

I would drop to the floor and not be able to move - totally aware of what was happening, just not be able to do a thing about it.

My whole personality changed - One minute i was the HULK ... then I was me ... then i was suicidal .. All very very scary - until you knew what was the matter - and thank god ( ohh - im not spiritual at all - but - it feels right to say it !! Contradiction I know ! )  I had a FABULOUS GP - One day i went in there with my Husband- ( Who at the time was an Absolute Rock  ) told her all my symptoms - and immediately - she said - You have Cushings - But - It is almost if not impossible to diagnose - and even more difficult to treat ... She - at the time was working at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital with the Endocrynological Team - Who - DEAL WITH CUSHINGS !! 

So - from there on in - she sent me - What seems like monthly - for MRI's - with and without Contrast on my Pituitary Gland - A small Gland in the brain that controls - well - basically its like petrol for your car - it runs everything !! 

About 10 years in - and i got a call - Myself and the Hubby went in, sat down - and she said -

"Mrs Barry - YOU HAVE A BRAIN TUMOUR" -

IT HAS SHOWED UP AT LAST !!-

Well - i must be the ONLY person to ever walk out of a doctors surgery after being given THAT NEWS !!! I was NOT mad !!! 

Even I was doubting myself !! - lol !!

I knew i wasnt eating to put on weight -

I knew I wasnt shouting at people because i was a nasty person 

I knew i was not totally useless and gave up easily for no reason - there was always a reason 

I knew I wasnt lazy but just UNBELIEVEABLE tired - ALL THE TIME

I knew I .............. OH THE LIST IS ENDLESS - SERIOUSLY - ITS ENDLESS !!

But - its good ...... Untill they said they would not treat it - because - " Your Cyclical - your tumour comes and goes "

- So - OK - Im stuck like this and can't change a thing - BUT - INSTEAD OF BEING DOWNBEAT -

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE - AND KEEP SMILIN - ( Most of the time !! ( When im not Hulk - or Biatch from hell !! ) 

Then about 5 years ago they found the secon Tumour this time on the stalk of the Pit gland - still no op - and actually - i was asked if i wanted a Gastric band by my PITUITARY SPECIALIST !!!! - I had to inform him - that - If i had that i would probably die - because - although - yes - i am over 20 stone - actually i hardly eat - he looked shocked - so i had to go into details about how MY BODY has gone into starvation mode and literally everything it see's it stores - and - on top of this - as i can't exercise ( due to my body/ HEAD shutting down if i move ) I CANT DO A THING ABOUT IT .. he understood at the end of the appointment - and no - i didnt have him in a headlock ! I may have had a little shout though - once or twice !

OK OK - so - THEN they wanted to treat symptoms - and i have been on a concoction of various medicines !! Never once being symptom free ......

BUT - About 7 months ago - about the same time i started seeing a Neuro Psychiatrist - Who put me on Sodium Valproate ( Which - Is used in clinical trials to treat CYCLICAL CUSHINGS !! -  My sysmptoms have started to ease - HUGELY EASE - OK - Im not losing weight - and actually - i do seem hungrier - but - i am able to think and control my moods more - and im able to registar whats happening - IT'S BRILLIANT !! 

but = THIS IS WHERE IT STARTS TO GET ODD

I have never been able to paint in my life !!! - Literally - at christmas - i didnt bother to play the games - Drawing related - because i was useless - no-body ever got mine right !! Mum tried to get e interested in Sugar Craft - but - omg i was rubbish and actually paid someone to make my 'masterpieces' for me for peoples birthdays !! I literally was THAT BAD !!!

BUT NOW -

WELL - Have a look at my Art - People seem to think its Unique and Quirky and Fun - 

and If you enjoy it- and smile - then my work is done ! 

I PAINT THREE MAIN 'TYPES'

FABULOUS FAT LADIES

ANIMALS

SCENIC 

( Around Herne Bay ) 

BEING A FABULOUS FAT LADY ...

Looking out to see

I DONT FEEL UNJUST IN PAINTING FAT WOMEN IN THEIR NATURAL BEAUTY - Body positivity is very close to my heart - and EVERONE should be loved for who they are - and not feel as though they have to change to 'fit in' 

LOVE THE SKIN YOUR IN

and that way you will be at one and happy - 

Alot of my Ladies ( I have now branced out into guys too ! ) are painted without faces - MAINLY ( and im always honest ! ) because i cant do faces ! - But - Now i think it's good that the viewer can make                                                                              up their own mind about the character of                                                                              the individual !

JUST THE THREE OF US

The Gang !

( I hope you sung that !! - Because i did ) 

I started painting animals first, and LOVE doing them - the expression and the eyes  - BUT - The Body Positive is my 'thang' !!! I usually paint a mix of dogs faces and farmyard animals ...... i have no idesa why i am so drawn to these !

I just love this piece - all that characters just make me feel so much love and so happy - and you can see the expression and the fact they are all happy and just interested 

= Probably one of my Favourites !!!!

ACT YOUR SHOESIZE

Have a Blast !

DONT ACT YOUR AGE - ACT YOUR SHOE SIZE -

Just because you get old does not mean you have to behave !!!!

ADD CONTENT

FIRST ARTFINDER SALE

Reculver Night Sky

This was the First Painting that sold off ArtFinder ( when i was on it ! ) ended up being a friend of mine -

BUT - Still a sale - I still feel guilty about that one !!

I have since come off Artfinder -

I found out there was a HUGE market for my art

BUT it was too expensive and SOMEHOW i ended up owing them money !!! 

THIS IS ME !

Invisible Illness = I REFUSE TO BE BEATEN !

Well - i should have given you warning hey ! - sorry bout that !

But - This is me in all my beauty!