Painting via Pain: A Frida K response to x2 Spinal Surgeries

Product Description

Australia

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days left

Hi, I’m Lisa — a mural artist, painter, and stubbornly hopeful human.

For the last 18 months, I’ve been recovering from two major spinal surgeries (the second just last week) after physically traumatic event in late 2023, which recently left me unable to walk and resulted in cauda equina syndrome — a very rare condition that can cause permanent paralysis if not treated with immediate surgery. I now face at least another year of recovery and will soon require a third surgery: a spinal fusion involving a metal plate being inserted into my spine.

I’m currently on full four-week bed rest with in-home care and unable to work, which meant handing over my recent multi-tier mural project for Indigo Hotel to production / lead artist David Lee Periera. It’s heartbreaking to step back, but I can’t thank Dave enough for the huge amount of work he’s taken on for me—especially while navigating his own health challenges.

Dave, you are my beautiful, trusted work husband, and the only artist I’d ever hand my work over to. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. @davidleepereira

A big shout-out as well to the IHG Indigo team (Annie, Jin & co.) and Art Duo (Sonja) for their incredible understanding and support, especially given the critical deadline for the hotel’s opening and handover.

Last but not least to Ryan (batman) and all the team at Access Hire who have provided our access eqip. Again such compassion and understanding.

This Chuffed fund is not just about survival — mentally and physically — it’s about staying housed, accessing medical care, and finding a way to keep making art from my bed/home studio, Frida Kahlo–style.

Painting is my lifeline — and I cannot give it up. It would break me even more than I already am.

Xray after impacted area Nov 2023. New 2025 xrays are incoming. The green area of the complete disk has all been removed along with major nerve surgery.

April 2024: Emergency spinal surgery (double discectomy) after months of nerve damage from SA in 2023. 6 weeks in bed, then 12 months unable to work or paint murals (my full time job). Permanent nerve damage in my leg and foot.

Mid-2025: I finally return to painting at Indigo Hotel on my most exciting project to date. My first mural back since surgery.

August 2025: I wake up with extreme numbness in my left leg, pelvis, and groin. I’m rushed to emergency and diagnosed (via an MRI) with Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) — a rare, devastating spinal nerve compression that can cause permanent paralysis and loss of bladder/bowel control. A 3% chance of getting from my injury. BAD LUCK would have it.

I had emergency surgery within 30 minutes of my MRI. If I’d waited even a day, the damage would’ve been irreversible leaving me paralyzed in my legs and pelvic area which would of resulted in critical life changes. I now face another 6–12 months of recovery, and my surgeons have confirmed I will need a spinal fusion in the near future.

Despite everything, I’m not giving up. I can’t — because painting isn’t just what I do.

It’s all I have. It’s my identity, my therapy, my connection to the world.

I’m building a custom bed-based easel inspired by Frida Kahlo — so I can begin painting canvases while in bed rest. I’ll slowly work my way up to painting 2–3 hours a day and increase as my strength allows. At the moment I have no core strength.

I’m also experimenting with a new method for public art: painting 1x1m mural sections on lightweight, UV-stable fabric. These modular panels can be installed at any scale and allow me to continue mural work remotely from my studio eventually.

I’m not asking for pity. I loath seeking help…. Its an achillies heel for me. However I just need to keep working.. whatever that looks like.

Rent: $1,750/month

Utilities, food, transport: $1,000/month

Total: ~$16,500

I’ve experienced partial SD and sensory loss due to nerve damage, and I’ll need specialist pelvic floor therapy and trauma-informed care to address these issues. This is just as vital to my recovery — physically, emotionally, and creatively as all other medical / therapy.

Private physio, MRIs, checkups: ~$4,000

Medication, compression socks: ~$1,000

In-home care equipment (shower chair, toilet lift, etc.): ~$1,200

Total: ~$9,800

Custom easel construction / bed arrangement

Materials

Total: ~$2,000

$25,000 is the minimum I need to survive and heal over the next 6 months:

Rent & Living – $16,500

Medical, Physical & Mental Health (inc ambulance) – $9,800

Studio Setup – $2,000

If we exceed this goal, extra funds will go toward:

Preparing for spinal fusion surgery

Extended rehab and mental health care

Long-term accessibility upgrades to my studio and home

Materials and support to scale mural production from bed

Even $5 helps. Every donation, every share, every message matters.

I’m offering a small number of artwork rewards created from bed during my recovery — limited, personal, and deeply meaningful.

$50+ – Personalised thank you + exclusive studio updates

$550 aud – “Belong” (70 x 70cm) Colour Lmt Edt of 50 Print

These works are made slowly and intentionally — with the energy I can muster each day. Your support makes them possible.

I’ve lived independently my whole life and even more so with clinically diagnosed CPTSD. I’ve never asked for help like this — not publicly, and not financially. Especially given the personal context to the story. Without the support and push of my closest I would not be doing this.

Since 2014, I’ve contributed over $100,000 in in-kind arts support, from 30m murals and mentoring to free workshops for underprivileged youth in South Australia. I’ve always believed in giving back to my community — now I’m learning to ask for help in return. Something I have never been good at stomaching.

I’m also managing:

Trauma, PTSD, and anxiety

A complex daily medication routine: Sertraline, Oxycontin, Celecoxib, Coloxyl, Panamax, and more

Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring

Loss of sensation in parts of my foot, leg, and pelvis

But I’m still here. Still wanting to paint — just from bed.

I have thought about sharing the story of the trauma in depth — an experience that resulted not only in a permanent spinal injury , but also a broken nose and a broken soul. For now, for my own mental health and healing, I have chosen not to. I am dealing with everything privately, with the support of my family and friends.

I also want to acknowledge the people who helped me medically. I am deeply grateful to St Vincent’s Public Hospital — to the nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, anaesthetists, and surgeons who cared for me during both of my surgeries and in the lead-up to them. Their professionalism, compassion, and urgency gave me the best outcome I could hope for. I am in awe of the way they treated me — as a whole person, not just a broken body. Thank you.

If you’ve read this far, thank you for holding space for this. Thank you for holding space for me.

With love and resilience, Lisa

Disclaimer – I believe in being completely transparent about how your generosity is used. Throughout this campaign, I’ll share regular updates on my progress and recovery, along with photos, messages, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the artworks your support helps bring to life. I’ll also provide receipts and clear breakdowns so you can see exactly where the funds go. This isn’t just about funding my healing—it’s about building a shared journey where you can witness, step by step, the impact of your kindness.

Anonymous

22 hours ago

$200

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1 day ago

$550

Lisa Wilson

1 day ago

$250

Tsering Hannaford

3 days ago

$100

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8 days ago

$50

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10 days ago

$50

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10 days ago

$100

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13 days ago

$50

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13 days ago

$25

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13 days ago

$100

Craig King

15 days ago

$50

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15 days ago

$25

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15 days ago

$50

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16 days ago

$30

Kerry & Andy Mann

17 days ago

$20

Sara and Frans Boot

17 days ago

$150

Samantha Catford

17 days ago

$50

Carol King

17 days ago

$20

Alex Carr

17 days ago

$100

Jo ODea

17 days ago

$100

Raymond King

we wish to thank all the people that responded to our daughter Lisa , we cant thank you all for the compassion & support you have shown Lisa , its very hard to be humble and ask for help 4 this we applaud you LISA . this post is for all the people that have helped now and in the future , thank you all from the bottom of our hearts , regards Ray & Carol

17 days ago

Ends in 11 days

10 Sep 2025, 5:00pm

Lisa King

Caroline King

Lisa King