by Susan Lobb Porter | Art |
The last thing in the world I’m interested in is art journaling. Or so I thought. AJ, for those of you who might not know, is the art of making elaborate journals consisting of, well…art. And whatever pithy thoughts might accompany that art. People go to great lengths with these little books but my feeling was if I put that much work into something I didn’t want to tuck it away somewhere. Because in my mind, journals are private things.
And art is public.
Then I heard about this year long on-line class, Life Book. You can read about it here if you’re interested. Fifty-two weeks of art journaling with lessons by fifteen different mixed media artists. Artists I wouldn’t mind taking a class with. Because I’m ALWAYS open to learning new things.
So I signed up. Along with something like 600 850 other people from around the world. I put my own spin on lesson 1, turned it into an acknowledgement of da muse. I didn’t know that’s what I was doing until I came home tonight and did it.
Totally different than what i usually do. And it was FUN. I enjoyed myself. And God help me, I made one of those silly faces with big eyes. I SWORE I WOULDN’T DO THAT. EVER! But I did. And it was FUN.
So here’s this week’s Life Book page. Ha–I just notices I left out the ‘e’ in stories. Oh well…
It has a fold over that I haven’t done yet. I’ll show you that another day.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Life |
Comfy chair. Comfy sweats. Dog crowding out the laptop. Sitting here watching mindless TV. American Pickers. Pawn Stars. And playing on-line Solitaire.
Being a picker looks like fun. Traveling back roads, checking out barns and attics and sagging front porches. Climbing over piles of crap to find the perfect treasure. But knowing me I wouldn’t be looking for resale value, I’d be looking for mixed media parts. Things I could paint on, turn into art.
Doll parts. Metal things. Wooden stuff. Old photographs.
Sigh…look around your own house, Susan.
It’s my last night of vacation. Tomorrow it’s back to work. Laundry’s done. Lunch packed. Got to get back into the early to bed early to rise mentality. Not that I’ve ever been early to bed but it’s something to aim for.
I’m looking forward to seeing my students again. Looking forward to making art with them. Can’t wait to put some music on and dance around the classroom. We’re big on world music in my class. Afro. Latin. Cuban. And classic rock ‘n roll. Little Richard.
And come Friday I’m back in the studio. YAY!!!
But now I’m off to bed.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Art, Family, Life |
FirstBorn and family came a visitin’ last week. They stayed in the cottage where Mama lived until she died last spring, repurposed now as my studio. Before they arrived I moved everything that could remotely endanger a two year old to the back rooms where I make art. Including Studio Quat and her kitty needs.
She’s an old kitty. I’m sure the peace and quiet of her bed on my worktable was preferable to the attentions of the granddaughter and granddogger. Both of whom are rambunctious, one of whom is rather large.
Then I got those baby proof things that fit over the doorknobs. The ones you have to squeeze a certain way to open the door. Studio Quat was ever so grateful, kitty privacy guaranteed.
I haven’t had the heart to get rid of Mama’s furniture yet so the kids had all the comforts of home. Comfy furniture. Satellite TV. Complete kitchen and laundry. Most of all they had their own place to get away to. Perfect arrangement for family harmony.
But next Christmas someone else will be living in the cottage. Because I came to the conclusion last month that Studio Grande is too valuable as an income property to be trashed as an art studio. Something Mr. Spouse had been pushing for ever since Mama died but I couldn’t see the big picture. It had been my studio before she lived there and I wanted to reclaim it now that she was gone.
I wanted my dreams.
And I wasn’t ready to have someone else living in Mama’s house.
Then one day in late November the universe whacked me upside the head. AHA! Just like that. Clarity. I could design a studio just the way I want it. A wall of windows to the south. Skylights to the north. A vent fan with a hood. Countertops, storage, a layout that works for me. I could pay for the materials with my inheritance and Mr. Spouse would have a project to keep him busy.
He didn’t waste any time. We got the slab poured last week. And once it’s finished and I’m moved in we can rent out the cottage. Rent out Mama’s house.
I’m okay with that now.
After the kids left this morning I went down to reclaim my space. They cleaned up after themselves before they left. Sheets and towels were in the laundry. Dishwasher loaded. Kitchen counter tidied up. Perfect guests.
And then I looked at the counter and saw something was missing. I searched the cabinets and the drawers but it was gone. No doubt thrown out with the trash. Of course, why not–to them it was only another bottle cap.
But it was much more than that to me. I found it on Mama’s patio a few days after her service last April. After the patio had been swept clean and tidied up from the reception where we’d toasted her memory with beer and dark chocolate. Her two favorite food groups. I’d been visiting the oak grove where we buried her ashes and when I walked past the patio I saw it sitting there in plain sight…a bottle cap. One that I swear hadn’t been there before. I bent down to pick it up and almost cried when I saw the words printed inside…Ola Life!
Overlooked trash? A message from my mother? Or something planted by a well meaning friend…who can say? It brought me comfort. I’d left it in a special place on her kitchen counter and looked at it from time to time. Because it made me feel good.
And now it’s gone…
But you know what–I’m alright with that. Like the cottage studio it served its purpose. This is a new year…and it’s time to let go and move on.
by Susan Lobb Porter | All things Chocolate, Family, Life |
Grandbaby, AKA Missy B, came for a visit.
Toddler in the house!
At the park.
In the doctor’s office.
Quick recovery. At the park again.
Walking with Dad (AKA FirstBorn)
Visiting Grandma’s ponies.
Hangin’ upside down.
It’s been an awesome five days. An exhausting five days. Now she’s on her way back home to her own house, her own routine. I will miss her full on the lips sloppy wet kisses. Her tiny little voice and her beautiful smile. Most of all I will miss her sense of style.
Sigh…
And then…JUMP UP AND DOWN because YAY!, it’s the New Year. Fresh start. New intentions. Computer back from the shop and I’m rarin’ to go. Get your seatbelts on, lovies, ’cause it’s going to be quite the ride in artland/blogland this year. Oh yes indeed. I’ll be sharing this all with you shortly so stay tuned.
But first, a look at the final indulgence of 2011 to grace my table. Grace my lips. Keep me up waaay past my bedtime in a carb and saturated fat induced blitz.
Can you say Belgian Chocolate? Can you say White chocolate? Can you say Key Lime? Can you say Tiramisooooooooo I’m in luuuuuuv with you???? Can you say holy crap this is AMAZING???
We split five of these among five adults. Had two and a half left over. They were that rich.
And now, for the month of January, it’s back to green smoothies and eating clean. And you know what? I’m looking forward to it.
