it's not like I try to fight her

 

((the free range critters like to pal around))

Join me, won't you, for a moment of quiet reflection as we here at the Lee house take a deep breath now that equestrian season is finally over. It will be just a short moment, however, as softball season is still in full swing and I have also been given the corner office in the building of "world's most opressive mothers". I don't remember even applying for that position but apparently I've climbed to the top of the ladder in very short order. I'm meeting with lawyers to see how I can un-hire myself without totally putting myself out of work. Let me know if you have any good ideas.

 

Last week we had company. I always love cooking for a crew. Dad was one of the company and, never being one to drive 1000 miles without his toolbelt, spent a few days in the garage building me a heap of substrates for me to get all messy with plaster and paint on. See him there working?
I've been meaning to tell you...I made it into a fancy pants art show that happens at the end of June. The Lake Oswego Arts Festival outside of Portland. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. It will be good to make art just for the sake of making art (well, and to sell) without the added adventure of packing every last pair of scissors and q-tip I own to teach. I love teaching. And I love making art. It's nice to see where sometimes, for me, they can be independent of each other.

So I'll be pretty focused on getting ready for that. I oughtta be out in the garage full time at least. We'll see how it all goes. Oh, did I mention? We've done a bit of work out there and the garage is now my painting studio. Theman still has room for his workbenches along a long wall and space for storing his RC airplanes (big suckers, they are!) but I have the bulk of it with a big table and wall space to work big on. I painted out the table top white so's the wood of the table doesn't jack with my color use on my paintings (I'm kinda sensitive to that, I've noticed). I'm totally stoked. Me and my long arms and my big ideas and my bottled up emotions need room to stretch into painting big. Either that or I'll need to get some expensive therapy.

The garden is waking up. Earth is waking up. She invites me to lie down on her sofa and tell her how I've been feeling. I oblige and thank her for the tight, unfurling new rubarb leaves because I recognize myself in them. I thank her for the greens gone to bold, yellow seed, for the Ken't Oregano so plain right now, but promising a flamboyant weeping display of lavender in the summer because I recognize myself in those as well.

I thank her for the ambrosial peach blossoms - so early, so bold.

I thank her for the poppies sprouting up in the middle of a rocky wilderness, for the Hostas stabbing their determined spines up through the soggy soil.

I thank her for the way the water drops sit perked up on the leaves of the Lady's Mantle (I've always loved this most about this wispy cloud-blooming plant...the flowers take a second fiddle to the way the furry leaves hold water). I thank her for the spicy arugula still producing heavy since late last summer.
I thank her for all these things because somehow each one tells me a little bit more about myself. Even when I'm trying to be cynical and self-pitying...but it's not like I try to fight her. (Just like it's not like I try to fight the ponies...) She is one of my best teachers and I go to her when I need to find myself. Her and what made her.

So, if you need me for anything I'll be out in my new painting studio. I'll most likely have the big door rolled open and music blasting so it shouldn't be too hard to find me. If you know of anyone that needs a good great carpenter, theman is on the prowl for some work. I'll be posting two paintings every Friday for sale between now and my show to do my part as well as I can. I'll need to work hard at building up my supply though, so each batch will be up for one week and one week only after which time I will pull them and list two more. Prints may be on their way to the shop as well if I can work it all out.This coming Friday will be the first batch. Stay tuned!

I think a competitive game of kickball or a two mile run or a dance party is in order. Screw this tennis elbow...my body needs to MOVE!

 

 

Comments

[carlanda williamson]

great post! i will need to hire vinnie the man i am sure when i get there! and probably all his friends to help us unload! especially if we have to put it in storage! congratulations on the big fancy pants show! can't wait to see what pictures you put up for sale! xo

[Dorylyn]

Will theman travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas? My congratulations, too, on the fancy pants art show! Good luck!

[KarynJewels]

First of all...tennis elbow sucks! Especially when you don't play tennis. Second of all...all hail the men who build studios...third and final...Congrats on the fancy schmancy show! Wish I could come...sell out!

[lori]

i'll be sure to go to the lake oswego art show and see you!!! i live in lake o...am an artist, but haven't yet gotten the nerve to get a booth...and haven't entered in the show either. my daughter has a horse as well, so i know all too well the whole equestrian time spent going to the shows and all that. i look forward to seeing your work this summer and hopefully meeting you!

[Stephanie Lee]

HI Lori,
One of these days youll muster up the nerve to apply for the show and then we can be booth neighbors. :)

Have a beautiful week!
-Stephanie