Room to Paint

Through this door is my brand-new, drenched-in-sun, art studio. John and the boys surprised me today with this wonderful gift. The three of them worked on it this morning while I was mucking out the goat barn. My husband knows that all I need is a little push to get me back to my artwork. I haven't touched the stuff since before Jake was born. Once I became a mother my focus shifted to caring for my child. I completely forgot about all of those things that made me happy, and fulfilled me as a human being. If I could do it all over again, I would not forsake all of my interests to be a mother. I'd try my hardest to make the time to do those things that made me happy; even if only for minutes a day. Keep those things playing some role in my day-to-day life. Anyway, here I am, getting back into my pre-mom interests.

Back in Atlanta, my friend Kimberly, gave me a few oil painting lessons in '95/'96. She is a very talented artist, especially with oils. She was very patient and supportive as a teacher. We had memorable times together painting, listening to great music, and drinking good beer some nights - red wine other nights. Painting, talking, and lots of laughing. Now she's in Ohio and we are in PA. Oh, those were good days!

I've got the basics here to start to draw - to paint. I'm sure this will be a great "before" picture. So neat. So tidy. Just a few things on the table. I can't wait to get in there and make it my place.

Here's my old artbox from college. I studied graphic design - even got my Bachelors Degree (back in 1988)! I can't believe that I still have this old thing. Still has the local band and fanzine stickers that I made on it. Just seeing the charcoal pencils made my eyes widen and my imagination go into high gear. Oh the things I could draw!