By Art Tuttle
Biographical Data
Before being hospitalized, I had been a truck driver by trade. However, after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage, I found myself without much of my eyesight, some physical trauma, and some memory problems. My future as a truck driver, the doctors said, was pretty much over.
Being in recovery has always brought me closer to God, but the sudden impact of this kind of physical challenge was all too new to me. I didn't know what I was going to do, but one thing was certain: I was grateful to be alive. I knew God had given me yet another shot at life.
After going through some deep bouts of depression, I decided that there was no way was I going to give up. God must have had a plan for me. My wife is an artist and she signed me up for a bunch of art classes to give me some positive outlets to occupy my mind and my hands.
I had never done art before, other than as a child. After trying many things, working with hot glass captured my imagination. I couldn't get enough of it! I started out making glass beads, and then I made larger items. After attending a weeklong workshop at the Corning Museum of Glass, I was now on my way to creating "Drops of Hope.”
These small tear drop shaped pieces of glass represented everything I had gone through to get to this stage in my life—every tiny spark of hope that had helped me hang on as I groped my way from the darkness of my crisis, back to the light.
Today, as I create each one, my intention is that it should be given to a friend who needs a little hope, or to a loved one, in fond memory of something or someone special.
Each piece is individually turned and reflects the peace and harmony that God has put in my heart and allows to flow through the creativity of my hands.
I like the new path that God has chosen for me. It just goes to show you that when one door closes, another door really does open!
Art
Go to RENAISSANCE of the CREATIVE SPIRIT