The Art

I’ve been dreaming about painting. Painting multiple series so that I could do my own exhibit. It all started with my discounting work to just clean out what I haven’t sold yet. Sort of a fresh start. I typically have about a dozen paintings, just sitting around, not hung. I thought they could give someone joy, so why not just sell them for under their value to force myself to start new projects.

My dreams started with an all black and white theme. I paint with acrylics, which is such a versatile medium. You can do dry brush, or water it down to an almost watercolour look. These dream paintings had the watercolour look to them. Like a women’s dress flowing into the air. Or her hair blowing in the wind. There’s a splash of colour, either on her person or in the background….but mostly just black and white.

The second theme is extremely colourful. Mid century modern almost, geometric shapes, beautiful colour. My husband can build frames that really make this concept a reality. The thin frame around an abstract painting really sets its tone. Talking about frames, for a couple years now I’ve been collecting ornate vintage frames and painting an abstract to sit within it. This is also a very cool look, but I’m now very drawn to the cleaner simpler lines of mid century.

So this will be my focus, painting, the art. I say if you dream about something it’s a sign and I won’t let this inspiration go to waste.

Mid century look

Vintage ornate frame with abstract painting.

May flowers

May has arrived and I am excited for planting flowers. Every year we pull out all our pots and spend a Sunday going to greenery’s to select our plants. We’ve already planted our perennials in the front of the house. Daisy’s mostly. I love Daisy’s. Our herb garden has been planted as well but maybe a bit too early since the basil looks like it might not survive.

We have so much sun on our property that some plants didn’t survive the extreme heat. So we will have to be more selective this year. We had a massive elm tree in our front yard last year that had to come down due to the elm seed beetle problem we and our neighbors had. They were coming in by the thousands through light fixtures, walls and windows. So very happy that tree is gone. (Not something I would normally say!)

With the tree gone we have even more afternoon sun in the backyard. Last weekend we rearranged our backyard a bit. Since we are renting we have to ask permission usually but our landlord loves and trusts us so pretty much said “have at ‘er”.

We moved a bench swing that was sitting in a dark corner and never used. I wiped it down and washed the fabric and added some colourful throw pillows. It’s now in a spot that’s in the sun and can be used when we have gatherings. We’ve already had many people enjoying it, including the dogs! Luke built a beautiful table to go underneath the awning and all we need now are some wood chairs. I’m hoping to find four different chairs that can be painted to match and still be comfortable. Luke is also building a bench.

Ahhh spring! See some pictures below of the backyard and projects.

Music and Lyrics

I am a huge music fan, I love many genres and could never say any one was a favorite. Each genre has a time and a place. I find that each decade has it’s own unique sound! It can be amazing to spend an evening with Spotify and play around. Often you’ll find songs you’ve never heard and fall in love. I was watching a movie called Demolition, and at one point in the movie this song came on that I just fell in love with. It was called Mr. Big by the band Free. My dad was aware of the band and gave me some other songs to check out. If your parents are music lovers, they could give you great insight to discover music they loved. Sometimes, (not always) I’ve really liked the music my parents listened too.

Because it’s Tuesday:

Here are the lyrics to Ruby Tuesday written by Keith Richards/Mick Jagger..enjoy!

She would never say where she came from
Yesterday don't matter if it's gone
While the sun is bright
Or in the darkest night
No one knows, she comes and goes 
                                                                                            Goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still I'm gonna miss you 
                                                                                                                                     Don't question why she needs to be so free
She'll tell you it's the only way to be
She just can't be chained
To a life where nothing's gained
Or nothing's lost, at such a cost 
                                                                                                    Goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still I'm gonna miss you "There's no time to lose, " 
I heard her say
Catch your dreams before they slip away
Dying all the time
Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind
Ain't life unkind? 
                                                                                                                                    Goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still I'm gonna miss you 
                                                                                                                          Goodbye Ruby Tuesday
Who could hang a name on you?
When you change with every new day
Still I'm gonna miss you 

I just thought of this song today (because it’s Tuesday). I hadn’t read the lyrics in a long time. My favorite line is “lose your dreams and you will lose your mind”. Makes you think a little doesn’t it?