Apr 23, 2008 6:55 pm US/Central
Finding Art After Life-Changing Accident
(WCCO)
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Fink has painted all sorts of scenes, mostly outdoor ones that represent her connection with nature.
CBS
Some special artists are proving life does go on after a traumatic accident. These artists from around the world are in Minnesota to show off their talents at an art show.
In the middle of her kitchen, Susan Fink found her new love of art. It's far from the kindergarten classroom she used to teach in and far from the slopes she used to ski.
"I'm painting flowers," she said.
Fink has painted all sorts of scenes, mostly outdoor ones that represent her connection with nature. Her inspiration comes from years of skiing, downhill and cross-country, and memories of long vacations in the mountains.
"The fresh snow, and I just liked the feeling of it, and we could do it as a family," she recalled.
Her life of skiing abruptly ended nearly 10 years ago during a terrible fall when she was going down a hill. It changed everything.
"Just fell wrong. It was a fluke," recalled Fink. "I fell on my face. My hands just didn't catch me."
Fink broke her neck and suffered a spinal cord injury, spending months in the hospital and in rehabilitation.
She's now a quadriplegic and confined mostly to a wheelchair. She is free to use her arms, her hands and her memories of her trips to create watercolor paintings.
"It helps me connect with nature, because I'm still able to connect with nature, I just can't be out in it as much," said Fink.
Her art will be part of a collection of 300 works of art at an International Art Show the next several weeks.
The show is at the Sister Kenny Institute of Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. It's free and it runs through May 16, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during regular business hours.
Fink wants people to think of peacefulness when they see her work, which is exactly how she feels when she's painting.
"It's my way to enjoy the outdoors," she said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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