Well, I finally bit the bullet and consulted a hand surgeon about ongoing carpal tunnel issues with my left hand. Has the procedure done once before on my right hand back in the late 80's
After weeks of testing, prodding, & pre-op clearences (they REALLY want to cover their a$$#$ before cutting in us old farts), I had both CT release surgery and elbow decompression surgery on my left hand & arm this past week. Seems like everything went according to plan. Five days out from the surgery now, bandages and wraps are all off and fingers feeling pretty normal. Sutures come out later this week. Trying to behave, yet keeping the hand & arm moving, flexing, and gripping without overdoing it ( alas, no serious guitar playing yet [sly] ).
I did manage a few sessions in the painting studio on one of birds I had carved and prepped the week prior to my procedure. The Panavise holding fixture is getting a good workout as an "extra hand" all the while I am painting.
Also just got word that another of my "After the Hunt" pieces has been accepted into this year's juried gallery showing at the Springfield Museum of Art. Another blow for wildlife art that breaks from the usual pattern of what galleries will feature. This is the piece: