Thursday, January 11, 2007
Caledonia

Kathy and I loaded up the Honda and took up past Limehouse to her sister’s wonderful house that is tucked into a thicket of wild forest an hour away. There I was brought into the new studio space (recently painted and gutted from being an office) where they promptly put me to work stitching and sewing (Rumpleslikskin!).
Now they are artists as well only they are Fiber Artists who work with yarns, floss, beads and other stringy goodness to create some of the most unique pieces I have ever seen. Silently I always wanted to try my hands at fiber art- it seems logical since I take painting from my father and seamstress-ing I take from my mother- married influences alright. I was surprised at how quickly I took to it and soon I found myself deeply focused with my work delighted with my progress.
The property is a dream! Trees every window you look out and I was taken back at the decor, collections and artwork all over the home, surround you. We had a good lunch (5 star beer had with Chicken Curry) and I regretted that the time flew by so fast when I noticed it was 5pm.
I was horribly moved to paint after leaving because I saw one of her paintings in progress in the basement and it amused me on many levels. I wanted it. I wanted it even if it was not finished but I was too shy (and not financially set) to ask to buy it. Its image sat in my head and the desire to paint mixed with the pain of not having the right materials in my studio to satisfy my urge.

At 1 am I destroyed another painting in my fury to satisfy this urge. I left it in the sink with the tap on for 20 minutes as I cursed under my breath because in the process I ruined a good pair of heels. After I decided it had enough in the sink I dumped half a container of Milk Blue acrylic on it and shoved it into the oven to bake for 15 minutes while I read over a few notes I had taken on this story about a sport group in the area for the paper.

Now its 3am and the painting is almost finished. It’s a piece depicting Kensington Market in Toronto and I plan to wake up early so I can finish it and get it in the gallery at 1pm.

I pray and dream for a windfall. I count and nod and agree its enough moneys for staying alive yet without savings I will never get my moped, I will not get a new suit (ripped the zipper out of the old pants daaammmnit), I will not be able to go to the city, I will not be able to afford the antibiotics if I get sick. Instead of worrying about these problems I decide to rely on the fact that I always pull through somehow and things can only get better as long as I keep my head up and stick by my routines and goals.

If I hear anyone else make snide comments about my el cheapo paint brushes I swear I am going to stick them right up their noses.