Sad Chair

Sad Chair, originally uploaded by bethchapel.

We have been slowly cleaning out my Grandfathers house since he passed last year. Today(march 9, 2009) we put his old arm chair out for the heavy pick up.

He lived on his own till the day of his death. Aged 92 years. He traveled, still drove and cooked.

RIP Poppy

My first painting in the new studio...

My first painting in the new studio..., originally uploaded by bethchapel.

I started a small 5x5 painting in the studio at the end of march. I am loving the studio. It is just right. It's good to be back :)

P R O G r e s s. . . .

Almost mid Feb. Not done.
Very bummed.

Progress

Heavy construction is done. lots of finish work to do and messes to clean up. We pulled our permit in the summer. It is now the new year and I have been promised the studio will be open for business by the end of the month. I've done nothing, not a speck, NOTHING since last spring. Not a doodle. [well OK, ONE project happened;), but just one] I thought I would have time to keep up a few little projects here and there. That clearly didn't happen. Having your house in such a mess for so long is not kind to the people in it. I had to make sure things were normal (as they could be) for my son. He started kindergarten in the fall and I just wanted a smooth transition for him. I have packed on 15 lbs with all the crappy food and stress that we endured over the last six months. I lost my Grandfather, an old school friend and a cousin in those six months. I have accumulated a serious amount of debt. More than I want to think about, but will pay off with more hard work. Most importantly we have fixed our problems with the house and it can now be a healthy place for my family. We got a little carried away with the improvements part of it, but no stupid choices were made. I'm very satisfied with everything that has been done. Also I have to say: My contractor, overall, Was great. I would trust him with anything. If I had problems with him I think I might have snapped, But He really kept us sane and happy here. I'm not sharing his number, he is ours I will not Share!!!!!!

I'm very excited at how the studio turned out. I hope I can be productive in it. The messes that were made in the house were not conducive to living or creating. Right now the studio space is the dumping ground for all things still being worked on in the house. But once I get it squared away..... Ohhhhh the good times!!!!! Oh the good messes!!!! Ohhh Happiness!!!!!

Heavy Construction

The heavy construction started today. It was set to begin yesterday, but in true form it didn't (Well it was set to start in early june but, I will not go there). My bedroom is almost completly gutted. and its still before noon. The Dumpster just arrived, so I'm watching debris fly by the window into it as I type. I'm so happy it has really started, I can't wait to begin *living* in this house.

Space.

It's been a while and a bit has happened. Through my husbands support looks like I'm gaining a space to paint. I'm so lucky to have him. He has a small office space uptairs at out home. it is tucked into the side of our slanted roof and is itsy bitsy in size. like an oversized closet. We are remodeling our upstairs, initiated from having to do repair work to our roof. We decided to put a dormer on since we will have the whole roof off anyway. The dormer will make that space a decent sized room. He insists I use it because he can sit anywhere with his laptop (true, and he does). can't wait to see how it turns out, I can't wait to be able to really get into a mess!!!!

Apprehension

I'm so tired. I'm mentally and physically drained about my latest quest to share my art. I'm excited, nervous, squirmy, sick, shy and feeling like a speck. I hope it brings growth. I fear it but, have nothing to lose. I know I need to stop being a wimp.

I think it's because I'm not surrounded by it. I didn't grow up around it. I didn't go to school for it, My friends aren't into it, I'm alone hear and feel like I don't know what I'm getting into. *sigh*

I'm now running off to suck it up and keep on track.
Sorry for the fuss.