Bit by Bit

Renovate:  meaning "to make new"

Bit by Bit:  meaning "by the smallest degree"

 

Renovations are progressing gradually - but they are moving ahead!!

This is an incredibly big step for us having lived in this house about 18 years and only doing some minimal repairs and painting.  As well, like most people told us from the beginning, renovations grow.  And I'm afraid it has grown a little but we are still trying to keep things under control.

Progress today: the cabinet maker stalled as the floor needs to be installed before the edge cabinet support by the fridge can be completed.  

But we love the green soapstone colour of the counter top and the cabinet colour seems to bring new life and warmth to the space.

Tomorrow the sub-floor and who knows, perhaps the laminate or washroom vinyl will be laid?? The laundry basket is getting rather full.

 

 

All this to say we have at least one more week camping out in the living room making meal treks to the fridge in the dining room, heating food up in the microwave, and trudging upstairs to wash dishes.

But, no need to complain... as we are on the other side of the "pulling apart" stage - although Doug is talking about changing the interior doors now as well! ... and are moving into the "new" stage.

Meanwhile, as a result of Molly's suggestion and Michelle's encouragement I am looking for an interesting thought or quote or, perhaps a blessing,  to insert in the wall behind the washroom medicine cabinet.  :) 
 

Stone

Stone

 

Stone reminds me of “forever.”  

I had to think about "stones" for a retreat I was on lately so before I went here are a few thoughts I came up with.

I love the feel of it as much as the sight of it… I remember searching for perfectly round or oblong river stones when we were kids, skipping flat stones at the lake, picking up and examining the stones that shone most brightly from the stream beds and marveling at the absolutely white stones.  I brought lava stone home from Ethiopia. I wandered along a low stone wall on a mountain in Norway. I think it was to separate sheep pastures.

I love the stone path in our backyard.  I love that violets work their way into the stones and find what they need to grow, and I love how the stones shine after a rain.

I just realized that in our house renovations, which are presently in the drywall repair stage, we have chosen a stone patterned vinyl for the washroom, laminate flooring with slate look tiles, a green soapstone laminate countertop, and stone tiles for the kitchen backsplash.

 I am drawn to Cathedrals, Abbey’s, ruins, almost anything built with stone…. cobblestones, river stone, clay bricks!!

This is a painting of Dryburgh Abbey in Scotland painted from a photo taken by a friend. It is "almost done" but needs to be set aside for a few days...

Here are a few photos of stones and stone ‘structures’ which I have taken lately.

renovations....

I was thinking of "developments" - "transitions" - perhaps "time for a change" but quite frankly the truth is it's time for "renovations".... yes, they have begun in earnest!!

After a short consultation I retreated to my 'workroom' and two young fellows got on with the demolition.  There was a lot of banging and many loads out to a large trailer parked in front.  Several layers of flooring, cupboards, the sinks, some of a wall, etc. have gone - and we are living rather haphazardly at the moment. 

When Geoffrey woke -  from a disturbed sleep, I'm sure -  he asked about breakfast, then walked out the door and came back later with coffee and food for his lunch as well!

When Doug finally got home about 4 he checked the progress and then we got on our Vespas and headed to the Roastery for coffee!

I was intrigued by this former wallpaper that was hidden behind a set of cupboards... I love many colours of green and I like flowers but this design makes me think more of material than wallpaper.  Not bad, but not sure I could have lived with it happily for very long....  I wonder if many years from now when someone pulls 'our' kitchen apart they will say the same thing:)

A few days away...

I spent a wonderful 3 days away at St. Michael's Retreat Center, Lumsden and found this beautiful bird flitting amongst the trees.  They move so quickly it is difficult to find them paused long enough to get a photo!

Below, some always beautiful lilacs which may have been planted by former residents - farmers/ homesteaders - as they were back in the trees. 

I think of these

inside  & outside paths as leading to a sense of mystery. 

The one on the left is the outer circle which surrounds the inner sanctuary - the heart of St. Michael's.  

The path on the right  leads towards an open vista of the valley below and the hills beyond. 

Both may be experienced as paths to the beautiful and contemplative.

Stop, look, and listen to life...

“Literature, painting, music – the most basic lesson that all art teaches us is to stop, look, and listen to life on this planet, including our own lives, as a vastly richer, deeper, more mysterious business than most of the time it ever occurs to us to suspect as we bumble along from day to day on automatic pilot.  In a world that for the most part steers clear of the whole idea of holiness, art is one of the few places left where we can speak to each other of holy things.”

Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark

“Creativity is a way of living life – no matter what our vocation, or how we earn our living… The creator is not afraid to leap over the ‘accidental fences’ and to plunge into the deep waters of creation.  There once again, and in yet another way we lose ourselves to find ourselves…”

Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water

On May 3rd I began this painting of the Peony - and today, I've finally finished after many hours. As I've said before, "There comes a time to say, enough!"  

That doesn't mean I'm satisfied with the painting, or that it couldn't be improved upon, or indeed that it couldn't have been painted in an entirely different manner - it just means, simply, enough... time to let it go:)

A painting such as this is for me meditative. It takes hours of quiet, steady, pondering time.  I work in silence mostly.  I lose myself in a strange way.  There is a point when there is absolute dread and fear and the decision needs to be made -  to throw it away in despair or move on in faith.  I hope that by moving on with it I have learned more of myself, my art, and of my life.

 

An Iris Blessing

I came across this blessing today while looking at poems about Irises because I had come across this painting which had been hidden away and sometimes try to relate my paintings to poems or writings.  Not being creative that way I need to appropriate these from others....

.... and well, yes, I was thinking spring, because the snow did not come and even though it is cold, the sky is blue.  As well, because it is Easter the purple of the iris reminds that it is the symbolic colour for the Christ - the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The blessing clearly relates to us as humans - one of the host of nature poems that are really expressing thoughts about you and me.  May you be encouraged to live your life airborne, sublimely, gracefully and artfully.

 

An Iris Blessing

May your blooms be floriferous and in good form,
Distinctive, with good substance, flare, and airborne,
With standards and falls that endure, never torn.
May you display many buds and blooms sublime,
In graceful proportion on strong stalks each day,
Gently floating above the fans and the fray.
May you too reach toward the moon and stars,
Bloom after bloom, many seasons in the sun,
Enjoying your life, health, and each loved one,
Until your 'living days are artfully done.

By Georgia Gudykunst

Art Show

Event:  2012 Big Sky Artists Show & Sale

Location :  Grace Westminster Church Auditorium

                       10th St and Eastlake Ave, Saskatoon SK

Times:       Friday April 20th  7 to 9:30pm

                  Saturday April 21st  10am to 5pm

                  Sunday April 22nd  12 to 4pm