Hi @chaun2947 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. While we’re backed by Mayo Clinic we are a community forum comprised of members such as yourself who “connect” with each other to help find answers, offer suggestions, and encouragement.

May I ask what brought you to Connect?
The group you popped into (What’s outside your picture window today?) is a fun one! With a pretty regular cast of characters…LOL. I say that fondly because we all become like family here.

I’m sorry to hear you have back issues. That really puts a damper on normally fun activities. I can empathize with you! Neck and shoulder spasms have sidelined me in the past from working on my art projects. Maybe this would help you…keeping it small.

When recovering from my bone marrow transplant, I had to live in Rochester for almost 4 months and had no access to my studio at home. So I’d brought a bag of art supplies with me; Small pads of watercolor 5x7 paper, a small container of half pans of color and water brushes instead of my brush collection. Fatigue was my friend so, sitting at a desk or table just wasn’t doable. But I could easily hold the small pad on my lap, sketch or paint with little effort. The waterbrushes are great because there’s no reaching to dip. Another item I brought were watercolor pencils! They’re great! You sketch with those, fill in with the color and then use the water brush to allow the pigment to flow!

I know we have a lot of artists in this forum and an art group too! Here’s the link.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/art-for-healing/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/
I hope you’ll share your story with us. You never know how your journey might help someone else. Wishing you all the best, Lori.

I'm not much of an artist, but my friend who travels all over with her art also "armchair paints" in the evening or when her pain kicks in. She sits in a small armchair, sometimes with her feet on a stool, and places her watercolor or pad on a soft pillow on her lap. This keeps it more secure and allows her to adjust the angle of the board to her liking.

When I quilt or sew quilt bindings on my lap, I use a cushion that is a pillow topped with a hard surface (so I don't sew anything to my lap!) Again, the cushion allows me to adjust position. Although I have a lovely recliner, I find a very upright position when working spares my neck. I also have an adjustable lap desk that allows me to draft quilt plans, do computer work, etc. It is currently on loan, and I miss it. It allowed me to do 2-handed tasks with one hand and a bandaged "paw" last year after surgery, and was a blessing.

Sue

@chaun2947 Hello Carolyn. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I know you'll meet lots of artsy and wonderful people here. My art career slammed to a halt about two years ago, due to some serious health issues. Prior to that, I was actively pursuing my creativity in a wonderful studio, providing four galleries with my paintings, and having numerous exhibitions. I've managed to do only one more commissioned painting since. Ah well. Those were the best of days...!! (I'm 86 now, and have accepted that it is what it is.)
You asked for recommendations for a good recliner. Mine is a La-Z-Boy Reclina-Way #01651Z-C932369. Those numbers Might be a 2 for that first Z and a 0 for that last 6. The salesperson scribbled those two!
I particularly love the way my chair supports my lower back. Feels so good. Hope this helps. Happy painting! (I love watercolor pencils and water brushes too!) Laurie