@julie1976 You are so right that doing art work or anything creative is so healing. I did a lot of creative things to prepare for and recover from spine surgery, and that process eventually became a portrait of my surgeon that was my gift to him. It's posted in the Art for Healing discussion and Gratitude discussion under "Just want to Talk" group, and in a Sharing Mayo Clinic blog at https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2019/01/09/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/ . It was my self directed art therapy to get through my anxiety about major surgery. Creativity helps de-stress, so does music, singing, walking in nature, exercise, etc. The important thing is to do what works for you and what helps you feel connected and alive. I am a professional artist and I love watercolor. A watercolor needs to be done in layers or washes of color where everything is planned in advance because you cannot cover any mistakes because the paint is transparent. Try painting to inspirational music to get in the creative " zone". My surgeon's portrait is in watercolor and I am now editing a video of that painting in progress and trying to get it down to a reasonable length. I'm glad you're on the mend and that your artwork is helping you. Keep on painting!