Paint First

These last 10 days have found my family mourning the death of a dear aunt, and feeling almost hyper-focused on what really matters in this life (if I can get a little philosophical/dramatic). We've been a little calmer and more gentle with each other. It's been interesting.

In addition to big important things like cherishing the small, sacred things in our days, I've also been thinking about how I spend my time. And I'm realizing that when I say I want to paint, I mean it. And I need to start painting every single day. Every. Single. Day.

 So all I did today was paint over three panels that were never finished to my liking. The painting here was originally going to be a blue-footed booby bird - yes, that's right. (You can see the head and beak in the first two photos.) But now it is going to be a flower arrangement. So there. xo

Painterly:: Day 3

 

At this point in my week of painting, I'm wondering if I should tell you that the lighting in my art room stinks? Or that I do know the purple up there looks just awful! Or that these are just backgrounds. I still have to collage and then paint in the details (the fun part). But I won't tell you those things because this week I'm just posting photos - real photos of my process for all to see. xo

Painterly:: Day 2

Painterly:: Day 1

painting freehand

 

 

We're getting Faith's junior high room ready complete with some brighter accessories/linens, a new-to-us desk and more. Faith has been away camping with her new class these past three days - teambuilding -(isn't that awesome?) so today I painted this one wall in her room.

I just dry brushed the designs and then filled in space as I went along. The white paint was just cheapo craft paint and it seems to be fading, so we'll see if I have to add another coat. I computer-enhanced the peacock feather in the corner in one photo above because it's not photographing well, even though it's easy to see in person. I hope she likes it!

birthday p.s.

Painting done - it's a little "cutesy-er" than I would choose, but it felt great to start and finish something all in one day! I decided to post this photo for two reasons. The obvious is that I do intend to paint more and more, so it will be fun to see my work evolve and (hopefully) improve.

The second is because of what happened on Tuesday. I caught my two oldest children in a very conspiratorial look as they, without words, totally made fun of my singing. Making fun! Of me! Their mother!!!! So I'm watching as the days of them thinking I'm the best singer in the world slip through my fingers. Then, it occurred to me yesterday as they were loving my painting progression, that soon they will also stop believing that I'm the best artist in the world too. Rats.

So I'm posting it as a memory that this birthday was a day when, in the eyes of my children, I couldn't sing, but I could still paint! Amidst all the sleep deprivation and laundry and lunch making and soccer games, it's been nice to be highly regarded in these very small ways for all these years. We had a good run - and maybe, just maybe, Kyle's still on board. Just a wee bit?

Enjoy your Thursdays! xo