Hi!
I am AmazinAdrielle, also known as Enfysbeads. It has been a long time since I last wrote a blog post, so I thought I should start by sharing a little bit about myself. Firstly, I am an artist and a collector of pretty things. I live in regional Victoria, Australia with my sister Ellenya, our parents, our two cats, and many birds and fishes!
I love being creative and enjoy learning new skills. I like rainbows, puzzles, charm beads, nature, animals, nail art, crosswords, drawing, painting, embroidery, beading, relaxing at the weir and the river, experimenting with new art mediums and playing games. I'm also currently on a mission to grow my hair as long as I possibly can!
I enjoy studying, and I am currently learning Spanish and Chinese. I have a Bachelor of Behavioural Science degree, and Certificate III in Media (specialising in 3D art and animation for film, games and television). I'm also a graduate of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, and a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society.
In my younger and healthier days, I was an award-winning performing artist, circus performer, singer and dancer. After my illness and disability made it impossible for me to continue with these activities, I spent many years volunteering online as a visual artist, animator, game tester, wiki administrator, writer, video editor and level/scene designer for various causes and projects.
I have been chronically ill for many years, spending long periods of time housebound or bedbound. Art gives me an outlet for my creative energy when I don't have much physical energy or my joints are too uncooperative. Over the years, I have won numerous prizes for my digital and traditional art, photography, charm bracelet designs and embroidery. I've also created logos for various websites, and had my digital art feature in online games, such as Puzzle Pirates. Through Twitter Art Exhibit, I have also had my traditional artwork exhibited in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Most of my health and mobility issues are caused by Ehlers Danlos Syndrome - a connective tissue disorder that causes problems with my joints and soft tissue. My joints are extremely hypermobile and I experience daily joint subluxations and dislocations. Over the years, this has led to chronic pain, arthritis, and many interesting injuries. I have also been diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, supraventricular tachycardia, fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety, and other things.
I mostly use a powered wheelchair to get around, though I can walk very short distances with a crutch on good days, and can get around inside my house using grab rails, daddo walls and furniture. I take a lot of medicines, have a cupboard full of splints, braces and bandages to support my joints, do a lot of physio exercises, and try to be the best I can be every day.
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and most of my other conditions are long term and variable, with symptoms and severity changing from day to day. However, after a tough few years, I have recently regained some overall energy and health! I am hoping to get back into my arty adventures now that I'm feeling better, and I can't wait to share them on this new blog!
