Soothing strokes

By Tania Martin
NOTHING will keep Mt Evelyn artist Sue McCall from her love of painting.
A degenerative muscle disorder may be slowing her down but she refuses to retire her paint brush.
Ms McCall was diagnosed with polymyositis, a rare connective tissue disorder which triggers muscles weakness, 17 years ago and despite suffering from several other illnesses including osteoporosis she is continuing to paint.
Her work will be featured at the Sherbrooke Art Gallery during January as the Artist of the Month.
Ms McCall enjoys creating intricate and detailed paintings as well as hand carved lino prints.
She is not only motivated by her love of art but the realisation that she soon may not be able to continue working on detailed and intricate pieces of art.
Ms McCall fears that the polymyositis will soon take a toll on her hands and restrict her creative work.
She has already had surgery on her left hand and suffers from intense pain after spending hours at her easel making detailed brush strokes.
Although she believes she will soon have to give up working on intricate artwork such as the lino carvings she refuses to give painting away all together.
“I think I will always paint but it’s the more intricate, fine detailed work that I will have to stop doing,” she said.
Since recognising the progression of her condition, Ms McCall has been exhibiting her work at as many places as possible across Melbourne and the hills.
She is extremely proud of being made Artist of the Month at Sherbrooke Art Society and has worked tirelessly over the past few months to ensure her vast collection is considered memorable and engaging for all visitors to the gallery.
Her work can be viewed at the Sherbrooke Art Society, 62 Monbulk Road, Belgrave, from Sunday to Wednesday from 11am to 4pm until the end of the month.