*6am bootcamp
*Started laundry and eventually got 2 loads done.
*Took my girls to swim lessons & read for 1/2 hour.
*Dropped girls off at a friends house for a play date. (I'm watching her kids all day Friday so we swapped.)
*Visited my 52 year old neighbor to drop off a birthday treat and ended up talking with her and another neighbor, who was there visiting, for about an hour. It was such a pleasant conversation and I again reminded myself of how much I enjoy the company of older woman or maybe I should say woman older than me (I don't see them as old).
*Came home and painted. Yes, can you believe I actually did something? Adam, Randy (Jill's Randy), and I sat talking Saturday evening while eating homemade french fries about finding your artistic way (among other things). I always feel a little guilty about blatantly copying someones work, and a little less like an artist because it isn't my vision, but they both encouraged me to imitate and eventually my style will emerge. "Everyone does it", they say. I don't know why I would doubt them, I mean, I have seen first hand with my photography. I started out being drawn to certain things, trying to imitate it, and eventually over years and lots of photos my own style came through. I guess for now I just need to be ok with not expressing my way and hopefully I'll get there.
Since that conversation I've been itching to do something and eventually stumbled across this piece of art in Elsie Flannigan's etsy store. I was drawn to the clean-ness/simple-ness of it and the words "i'm still learning" so I decided to tackle it. Each time I paint I realize how much I don't know or understand. If only I could sit and watch someone and ask questions. I am determined to find a nearby class this fall. Here's my finished piece...I didn't have room for the apple.
*Played go fish when the girls got home.
[Heber Valley by Tess, click here to enlarge]
*While I finished the last details of the my painting Tess and Megan joined me. Eventually Megan left and it was just Tess and I. She drew a picture of our camping experience a few weekends ago and then used watercolors to paint it. I loved her vision and wish I had some of it.
*Bella surfaced at some point and helped me make dinner.
*5pm we had the LDS missionaries over for dinner. Apparently I need to do it more often because I didn't hear a word of complaint about the food. Everyone ate...that never happens.
[photo courtesy Tess]
*After cleaning up we all went outside, the girls riding scooters while Adam and I sat on the porch and talked. We've had a bit of a disconnect lately so it was nice to find each other again.
*9pm we all went in. The girls went to bed smelling of the outdoors and Adam and I stayed up watching Prime.
I went to bed thinking I could do this day over and over again. While we were busy and I didn't stop once it was full of all the good things I want to have in my life everyday. Time with adam and the girls. Time for myself. Exercise. Dinner as a family. Having company. Great weather. Visiting/seeing friends. Stimulating conversations.
I pray we have more days like this.
7 comments:
Love your art! Even imitating, I couldn't pull something like that off!
Disconnect with the hubby happens so often after kids have been introduced to the family. It really is nice when you get a minute to sit back and talk. We've been taking later summer walks during which the little guys falls asleep in the stroller and The Chief and I get to actually have an uninterrupted conversation about our goals, concerns, struggles, etc.
So happy you had a wonderful day amidst all the stress of selling a home!
It sounds like a beautiful day. Your art painting turned out great. I could never do anything like that! (Thanks for posting it.) I have just given myself permission to copy and it's actually quite liberating. And in the end the art that emerges usually ends up being something different than the inspiration piece and totally your own.
I'm glad you're painting again, I think you've definitely got skills. I have no vision whatsoever when it comes to painting and just get super frustrated so I don't think that's a medium I'm any good at.
I thought Tess' picture was yours at first and was like "what the?".
Yes, all those things DO make for a good day. great reminder, amy
I want a day like this. Just one! It reminds me of a day last year where it was go go go and in such good ways. I felt full and happy and accomplished. I love the picture at the end :)
Sounds like a great day. That's so cool that you have discovered the artist inside you. I don't think it's wrong to be inspired by someone else or even celebrate something they have created by doing your own version. Tess's picture is so cute- you're obviously a great example to them.
What a great pic to capture the moment! I wish I had friends who would do kid swaps - everyone around here either has a nanny or just wants to pay a sitter.
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