scary new art direction

So the other day, in the last week rush to finish paintings for one show, I received an email that they needed images now for the June show - they're doing a catalogue. I don't even know what I'm doing, let alone have done it. I can't use the same paintings because it's at the same venue.

I'm all excited about planting and sunshine - got my transplants started this week, in between painting and ignoring kids and housework in the name of painting. The girls went to the woods and fishing with my dad yesterday and are at my mom's today to fly kites and plant some seeds. So they're good. My power shovel series is almost done and due in 3 days. It's good enough. But I think I'm done with shovels maybe. It's been 6 years.

new series: encaustic on panel. thinking: ...recalling Gram's garden, carefully cutting flowers from her catalogues, permaculture, mixing vegetables and flowers and herbs, cottage gardens, my own garden plans this year, secret gardens for little girls, cob building, window seats

I'm afraid I'm going a little Thomas Kinkade, It's OK. I'll figure it out.

Maybe I'm just intoxicated on the first sunshine of the year.

(written the next day)
So I called my favorite professor and asked for her advice. She suggested I plant my excavators in my new garden beds like they were excavating because that is the stage my garden is in and it is too hard to paint a summer garden in early spring. She is is right, so I did and sent the photograph. I like it. called it, under construction. sooooo.... now I owe them a statement about this photo and the work that will accompany it in June....

(next day)

here's what I went with:

"Under Construction" is a transition from my excavator obsession toward a new series about learning to homestead. Excavators have been an anthropomorphic icon of our local suburban sprawl. Previously a symbol of frustration, my angst has all run out and they are little more now than toys excavating my early Spring garden. This new work documents my growing skills in gardening, canning, raising chickens, and other misadventures toward self-sufficiency.
...

Today. made corned beef, cabbage, potatoes. did not wear green. had to lay down the law at work tonight. gorgeous day, took the girls to the outdoor mall to get a black t shirt for work. got carried away as I discovered Eddie Bauer and left with four shirts. Found out tonight that that and the last three charges were in the red. always a punch in the stomach. Our TV broke yesterday. No more picture - nothing happened. just stopped working.  It's almost 2 and a half years old. I think it's part of the conspiracy to build things that don't last so you have to buy more. story of stuff. makes me not want to have a tv anymore.

All's well though. I felt very happy today. It was 70 and sunny. I did a lot dishes from when I had been painting and ignoring housework.

I am very in love with Chris. that makes everything seem good. I don't know what it is. He has been drawing for the show and I think his portraits are genius. and I think he's hot. He's the greatest guy I've ever known. He is kind and straightforward and he doesn't take any shit from me.

I've also been basking in the realization that I have everything I need - and THAT - is great. I love my rented house and my town and the people in my life. Living less than paycheck to paycheck is not a cause for daily unhappiness. I've just figured that out and I feel joyous. We eat and are sheltered and have jobs and transportation and are healthy and have each other. today. right now. that's it. AND the weather is great.

My transplants are sprouting.