I have a bunch of deformed vertebrae which have caused me a lot of pain since childhood, but it's been getting worse and these last few months have been especially bad.
I haven't been able to sculpt because I can't use the angle grinder safely when my back is doing so poorly.
I have one project lined up for a friend, already half paid for, which is going to mostly be plasma cutting so it's a bit easier physically.
But really I didn't expect my back to start being like this after many years of seeming to get better. It's frustrating and scary.
I've been pivoting as hard as I can into ceramics and painting. But I'm a better metalworker than I am a potter or painter, and it's discouraging to have worked so hard to get good at something and known for it, only to have to pivot into something else so suddenly.
But it is what it is.
I just wanted to explain my lack of updates and why you'll probably see a lot more ceramics and paintings in the imminent future, and a lot less welding until I figure out if I even want to try pivoting my welding to a GTAW (TIG) process which would be easier on my body than GMAW (MIG).