Under the knife.

Seeking to reconcile myself to the fact that I am going to have surgery on my shoulder (again) tomorrow, I have worked on a piece this morning depicting my situation in abstract terms.

Behold :

the rough

the pencil

the final

* * *

Critical analysis contributed by a famous and reputable museum curator :

"One could imagine that the 'Troll Woman' represents 'The Doctor' or indeed 'Surgery' itself.

"The small figure in the foreground hides behind a vase of flowers, flowers clearly representing both happiness and ice cream cones while at the same expressing the small figure's love of classic video games. Obviously the 'figure' is trying to hide itself behind 'art and love' and yet while the figure hides, he peeks around the corner signifying his awareness of the 'Troll' or 'Surgery.' We know the figure must be cognizant of the approaching Troll and yet he does not run.

"The Troll Woman brandishes a long, wooden board with a nail, the nail could be interpreted as 'piercing' possibly leading one to believe that perhaps the 'Troll' does not represent 'Surgery' so much as the nail does.

"If one follows this thought through to the logical conclusion, the 'Troll' is in actuality a benevolent force; horrifying in its practice yet quite a necessary element in the piece.

"The nail, harsh in it's force is hammered with precision, clean in it's stab and pierce.

"The piece calls for us, as all great art does, to pause a moment and reflect; reflect on the nail and pray that this time it holds."