Family, bloggers, friends, fans, and supporters,
Another Seizure:
On Friday the 13th (I know,.. right) I had a seizure that lasted for 2 hours, caused by this brain tumor, as many of you are now aware of. It landed me in the ER for quite some time and most of it I do not remember. Which is probably best.
One funny thing I do remember though; as the seizure started I was alert and when the EMT / Ambulance staff arrived they said to me “Sir, can you please hold still so I can get an IV in?” This actually made me laugh out loud and still does 🙂
So, up until today, and still a tad bit so, I am dealing with partial paralysis on my right side which is temporary I am told and called Todd’s Paralysis. I have been doing strength training, working on writing and typing, etc… to build up my tolerance and abilities to get back to painting. This blog post, to this point, has taken me over an hour as I get dizzy staring at the screen.
More Artwork:
As my strength increases and as I persevere and push through this partial paralysis I will continue to make new paintings and take on commissioned paintings once again. This is what I love to do and what keeps me going as I am blessed to say I am a full time artist!
I also wanted to tell you all about 4 old Black & White ORIGINAL paintings I have that were very sentimental to me and I was never going to get rid of them but I must make them available to assist with our fight and fundraising for medical and living expenses. I have included them in my Etsy shop under the Section “Original Artwork.” They are 50% off list price with coupon code ART50 if used at checkout (take price you see and cut in half) so the saving are substantial and a great chance to own something of mine that is truly rare!! Here is each piece. You can click on each and read a little about it in the description. I know these are not the vibrant colorful pieces you are used to seeing but these are near and dear to me and the ONLY originals I have left that are mine. Many people have told me in the past to not open up about my paintings, to leave interpretation to the viewer but these are different. These I need to share with you so you can see why they mean so much to me so you understand how important it is that they go to a good home, in order to aid us in our financial fight.
As always, EVERYTHING in my Etsy Shop is now 50% off with code ART50 to aid our fight. Prints, originals, you name it!
New View on Life:
I have always been an optimistic guy! Lately things have really shuffled around for me. I see things differently, more clearly. I see people bicker or argue about things that don’t REALLY matter. This frustrates me more than it used to. My wife and I are really stressed, stretched, and tested with the situation(s) we are in but we manage to communicate in a loving manner, regardless of the medication reactions (or overreactions) I may have. We can do it. When I see other people argue over something as simple as the type of bread to buy, or the fact that a dish was put away in the wrong spot…. it really stands out. Is this what is important to some? Is this worth disappointment?
Other than sharing, reblogging, tweeting, facebooking, or whatever you can do with my story…… please remember this… You are here today! Smile and enjoy this day as if it is your last! Please never take anything for granted!
Your artist and friend!
Ray Ferrer
GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/rayferrer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ray_Artist
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/urbanwallart
Instagram: http://instagram.com/artist_rayferrer
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ray-ferrer/71/935/148
Ray Ferrer - Emotion on Canvas 
Ray – will come and visit here often – I love your spirit. And I will keep you in my prayers.
Dear Ray, I’m glad i took a peep today to see what you were up to, after a such a long time. I’m rather shaken by your news which brings back memories of my late husband, who passed away about 12 years ago. Sorry for being so morbid, I do hope and pray that you recover and continue your fantastic work. Yes, we can’t take life for granted. I wish I could help you in a big way, may be financially, but the most I can do at the moment is knock on the door upstairs and ask for help from Him, who could help in a BIG WAY. There are many things to be thankful for, especially for your wife who walks this journey with you. Will always remember that you were one of the first persons to like my blog when I first started it a few years ago. It was a real encouragement. Thanks very, very much. Take care and God bless. Keeping you in prayer.
I wish i had enough words to say .. you and your family are in my prayers .. i ask the gods each night to help you .. have a blessed day Ray .. 🙂 …
LOVE the Art!
Reblogged this on Things That Never Made It Into Print … and commented:
So the man is having a seizure and the paramedics ask him to hold still so they can put a needle in his arm. Impressive!
I am nominating you for Creative Blogger Award. You do not have to accept it if you do not wish. Your work is exquisite, and we have held you in our thoughts and prayers. I am working on the award post and should have it up in a day or two.
You are an inspiration to so many.
Reblogged this on Musings of a Penpusher and commented:
If you do nothing else today, please read this man’s blog and pray for him and his family. May they continue to comfort and derive strength from each other, and above all, may their patient suffering be rewarded with a positive outcome.
Well said, and I hope you just got your one seizure for 2015 out of the way! Good job sticking with your art.
Actually had 9 in the past 3 days
thank you for your meaningful words. i wish to send you a lot of warm energy…
I am so very sorry to hear about your seizure. I said a prayer for you my friend. I am believing for a miracle for you. Blessings! ❤
All the best RAY – good vibes as big as I can send them. I also had a brain tumor (benign) which changed my life in 2001. When I recovered I did the one crazy thing I’d always dreamed of doing. I was a new person. I hear you being generous & carrying on with life, which is the best thing you can do. I wish you well. (I’ve also been an epileptic all my life; in 1991 I found the drug that stopped them.)
Thank you for the inspiring comment and hope I needed for today!
Lovely, lovely words, so true – life holds so many important things. Be strong, we are all praying for you. Loads of love and a big hug ❤ xxxx
Hi, Ray.
Just wanted to share something with you. This site has been a help and a blessing to so many people from around the world; I thought perhaps you might find it so as well.
https://healingfromjesus.wordpress.com/
Thank you for sharing with me an insight into the real Ray, and I am sorry that you are going through this. I’m not sure where your faith is, but I have been praying for your swift recovery. I just want to say that this is not your struggle alone, read the Footprints In The Sand Poem and you will understand.
Reblogged this on Just Shad…Like Shadow, Without the OH!.
Every day is a gift. Thank you for the gift of you today. Prayers are with you and your family.
Reblogged this on positivereinventing and commented:
We are blessed with the gift of today
Oh Ray!! You are so brave and positive. Prayers for you!!
You’re ability to stay positive and sense of humor intact is so awesometastic. Had to REBLOG this. Keep on keeping on Ray. I can’t begin to imagine the stress and hurdles you both are induring. Wishing you and your wife strength, peace and comfort to keep up the fight.
Reblogged this on Cuppa Sunshine & Sugar and commented:
What a great reminder for us all to not sweat the small stuff. Ray’s strength and positive nature come through so eloquently in his writing and amazing artwork. It amazes me how I expect to be saddened as I pop into his posts knowing of his story…yes, the circumstances are hard and sad, but he always manages to make my heart smile and his humor comes through to even make me LOL despite all that he is going through. So just wanted to share this inspirational dude with all of my blogging buddies and readers! He’s a gem. 😊
I love your paintings! I didn’t know until recently, because I’m terrible at keeping up with the blogs I follow, that you have seizures and sell your paintings to pay medical bills! I am amazed at your positive attitude and driven nature! 🙂
Thank you so much! I am honored for your support!
You’re welcome! 🙂
Ray, wishing you and your wife the very best. I am truly inspired by your work. And in particular this message on this post. Hoping you recover and aren’t sunk by the health care/health insurance bills that likely are insane.
Keep your chin up, and still as possible;)
Had to make a joke, I’m an epileptic as well. Fortunately I haven’t had a grand mal in two years thanks to meds, which are destroying my liver, but whatever keeps the hand steady, right? I wouldn’t wish that shit on anyone, or their families either. Mine tore mine apart, I don’t remember hardly any of the many I’ve had, but they do. Best wishes! Dig the art too!!
I love your view on life. Wish you all the best.
I wish nothing but the best for you and your family. You are a wonderful human being. Keep on going strong!
I’m so inspired by you. (I got two prints and love them! I plan to do a blog post featuring them and your story. I’ll include all of your links too.) I understand seizures and brain tumors in the ones I love all too well, and I have to say that you are truly amazing. Keep being positive and remember that with hope anything and everything is possible! Sending love to you & your wife – you got this!
Buy his black and whites. They are so amazing. Love them. Love the every day items and people they portray. They will make you happy every single day. Ray! It is so ironic you say the vibrant colorful works we fell in love with. Well, I beg to differ, Mister: I fell in love with the b&w’s originals and they are what I first purchased from you!!! they are my faves. My boy with the fire hydrant makes me smile daily. Seeing my subway riders on my wall reminds me of my favorite place on the planet: NYC. I could go on. I adore you and your art AND your b&w’s. I can’t buy another one now – and you know I would!! But, I love you all the same. Someone else get these while you can. Ray’s already a famous sought after artist – just imagine when this is all over and he gets back to it!!
I like your attitude, Ray. It will serve you well in the days to come. My best to you and your lady. Good thoughts winging your way from Canadaland.
HI Ray! i am so sorry for what is happening to you. I wish that I had the finances to help but since I can’t please know that I can at least help by sending prayers to the Father for your success in all of this. Thank you for sharing this journey with me. Andy
Reblogged…
Reblogged this on Keli has a Blog and commented:
A TWO hour seizure… and still trying to paint! PLEASE READ AND CONSIDER BUYING A PRINT (50%off prints if you order from his Etsy store… W/ART50) COUNT your own BLESSINGS ….. What if it were YOU or one of your loved ones! Ray’s wife had to quit both of her jobs to take care of him. They also have a young son to consider…. : (
It is good to read about how things are going. I’m glad you can still do your artwork.
Reblogged this on befabulashblog.
Stay strong my friend
Sending love, healing and continued blessings! Wishing you all the very best!
You will heal! This too will pass
This is the first I’ve heard about your brain tumor (I have been a negligent blogger lately) I will keep you and your wife in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for sharing your story, Ray. Keep getting strong, hanging in there, and sharing that positive light. Love to you and yours.
[…] an artist who ended up following Totem Tamers WordPress blog a long time ago. Intrigued, I went to his page and saw his art, and was immediately blown away!! I have mentioned Ray in this blog before, when […]
Reblogged this on The Poisoned Inkwell and commented:
Hey everyone, I just wanted to share this post from Ray Ferrer– he’s an artist whose work I love, and he’s recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor. He is truly inspiring — both in the incredible artwork he creates, and in his wonderful positive outlook as he goes through this ordeal.
He’s also a full-time artist, and I can only imagine how scary the medical bills must be looking… If you want to help, take a look at his Etsy shop; he’s got a special 50%-off offer on everything in the shop to help with medical expenses.
Wish you recovery soon.
Really loving the B&W stuff! F.Y.I., I told my nephew the EMT your story about being asked to hold still during a seizure, and he laughed for 5 minutes straight.
Keep fighting the good fight!
I had juvenile myclonic seizures with epilepsy as a kid and the Todd’s Paresis was almost worse than the seizures. Stand strong. You’re in my thoughts.
I wish you all the best, and for your wife too! Sending my prayers to you!
Reblogged this on dishychicgoesdebtfree and commented:
Inspiring!
You have incredibly beautiful work. And, you are an inspiration. Keep up the fight!
Hang in there! *hugs*
– Iris
Epilepsy much less seizure are no joke for me neither. My approach maybe laxed or relaxed and very left handed about it though. Why? Because of that very stress that I create for just being around others, so now I am taking the time and effort to reverse that. I am glad you have begun to notice the little things that people take for granted. I do hope your future is brighter then ever.
Hi,
I’m the girl who wrote the health blog post the other day. I love your paintings! You are really gifted. I’m sorry i can’t help financially with your health situation as I would like to. Otherwise I would hang your paintings all over my house!
Anyways, what I really wanted to tell you is to check out the ingrédients in your spray cans or whatever tools you use for your work. Not only do I feel they could aggravate your tumor, I think they might have caused it. If it’s possible to surround yourself with healthy plants to clean up the air and to eat more healthy homecooked meals please do.
Regards,
Nadia
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De : Ray Ferrer – Emotion on Canvas
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urbanwallart posted: “Family, bloggers, friends, fans, and supporters, Another Seizure: On Friday the 13th (I know,.. right) I had a seizure that lasted for 2 hours, caused by this brain tumor, as many of you are now aware of. It landed me in the ER for quite some time an”
Reblogged this on The Uninhibited Life.
Best wishes to you. I like your spirit. Thank you for your posts. Your art is very elegant. I really enjoyed visiting your Etsy page and exploring your offerings. You are certainly leaving a beautiful mark, and I hope that your health improves as soon as possible.
PS – Even though I can’t afford your art (I wish I could!), I posted on my blog to encourage my readers to support you. I hope this helps. https://whitneyeellison.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/a-special-post-for-ray-ferrer/
Even after reading I still can’t believe what the EMT said to you! I did get a little chuckle with you on that one. 🙂 God Blessings.
Welcome back, I’m so glad you are recovering! It touched my heart the your wife tried to explain the situation in a down-to-earth way. Which she did perfectly, although she must have been terrified!
Warmest regards to both of you from Tussila!
Ray, your sentiments echo mine, and are that much more meaningful given your circumstances. Live for today, appreciate what you have, give to others, be positive.
Have faith and stay strong, Ray. Prayers continue. Sending good energies your way. Blessings to Rhian too. I will never stop trying to help others see your gift.
[…] Another Seizure, More Artwork, and a New View on Life…….. […]
Reblogged this on maggiesblog0019 and commented:
An update of my friend, Artist Ray
reblogging my friend!
I somehow missed knowing about the tumor, but I had a period of time when I didn’t have much time available to visit on blogs and facebook. I probably missed those posts. I’m truly sorry that you are experiencing such an unhappy situation, but I will most certainly be praying for you. I very much believe in miracles and have experienced several from the Lord’s hand myself. I’m also sincerely sorry that you need to sell your personal copies of your work. I know how that feels from having to part with some of my hand-made books. But hopefully, with the Lord’s help, you can experience many more years of creativity and find yourself in possession of brand new original pieces in the future. Your work is so powerfully good that I can tell you honestly that if I had any extra money at all, I would buy several and give them as gifts to people I know would value them. I’ll be believing that others who have the means will do just that.
Ray,
I get it man. As a cancer survivor and two time seizure veteran – the things people worry about and fight over is CRAZY.
I have liked your FB page and am following you on Twitter. I am working on a blog story for http://www.choicesdomatter.org to talk about Cancer Sucks…maybe, but not maybe not so much. All of these dark things make us see the stupidity of people fussing about the “variety of bread or putting a dish away wrong” in our lives.
BTW: keep writing and painting, but step away from the screen from time to time, okay?
Your new admirer,
Bruce McIntyre
http://www.choicesdomatter.org
704.442.2727 (h)
704.604.6202 (m)
cbrucemcintyre@gmail.com
Thank you!
All the best to you and your family.
Thank you so much!!! Honored!
Hang in there! We’re all rooting for ya!
Reblogged this on A Mindful Warrior.
Reblogged this on Serenity is a fuzzy belly and commented:
Please share this far and wide, and let’s help out Ray the best we can. He and Rhian need our aid and support.
That’s the right attitude to have, Ray … the little annoyances don’t matter. You and Rhian have all my love and support and all the positivity I can muster!
Seizures are wonderful, aren’t they? I blacked out during my severe ones and was hearing stories later of my behaviour. My family must have been scared because they Didn’t make anything up. That made me laugh all the harder about it. Paralysis is difficult but it can be dealt with; human’s are far more resilient to difficulties than we realise. Realising what is important is a leap forward. 🙂 Hopefully you can be rid of tumor soon.
Thankx Ray. Keep on. So great that you have a lovely wife standing besides you on this one. Really bummed you have to sell those artworks to cover your costs. They are fine pieces.