There have been times in my life where I thought being an artist involved being scatterbrained, disorganized, and probably addicted to some kind of substance. Since I’m generally pretty organized and straight-laced, I thought it might bar me from being an artist. But over the past 24 hours, I’ve been as chaotic as one might expect someone to be the night before her first art exhibit! At 9:30 last night I decided I thought I could finish a few of the half-done pieces around the house.
While I did make some headway on the repainting of Hillcrest Cottage (the home where my great grandparents lived and my Grandfather and his sister grew up), I had to face the music at about 1:00 am that it wasn’t going to be ready by morning.
I expected to be excited about my art show, and I am: lots of people are excited for me. But looking at my empty wall, I can’t help but feel a little bit sad. I realized I am very attached to my favourite paintings, my babies. They each took so much time and have such a personal connection. It’s strange seeing the empty spaces, and to think of my work being “out there” for people I know to examine.
The focus of last night’s painting is particularly personal – since it’s about a house where I spent much time growing up, visiting my Great Aunt – and I have so many papers, photos, and documents from the house. I had fun going through century-old negatives, scribbled notes, etc.
I decided to just stick these negatives onto the painting – since they’re usually just sitting in a box where no one can ever enjoy them.
So while this painting, as a whole, is not really working yet, I decided to just enjoy it for the reasons I like it; at least I have it to keep my walls interesting while my other paintings are on display!
ajsartjournal
Nancy, I love the way you incorporate history and heritage into your beautiful artwork, good luck with you exhibition, I’m sure it is going to be a great success.
Big love
AJ
delightfilledart
Thank you AJ for your kind words.
Suzanne Edminster at Saltworkstudio
Nancy, thanks for following my blog. Best of luck on the upcoming exhibition…. I know that combination of jitters and anticipation!
delightfilledart
Thank you! I just viewed my show today for the first time, and it looks better than I expected, better than my worries anyway!
Jennifer Darawi
This painting is meaningful for me too, Nancy! Thanks for sharing your work! I hope you are having a fantastic show!
delightfilledart
Thanks Jen – glad to hear it. Did you see yourself in the painting (there’s a picture of you, me and Heather by the Hillcrest Cottage sign, but it’s barely visible now).
spaark
I love the story…all parts, hidden and visible. It must be hard to separate yourself from them when they are so you! Best of luck with your exhibit! Julie
delightfilledart
Thanks for your kind words. I got to “visit” my paintings today.
(uncle) Gord
Congratulations Nancy! A big step going public.
delightfilledart
Thanks Uncle Gordon! Great to have family’s support.
melissabluefineart
How exciting! Good for you. I sure understand what you mean by feeling bereft of your “babies”! It really struck a chord with me that you are glad to have one stay behind. I hope your show is a huge success!
Sheryl
It’s awesome how you use old family pictures and other items to create such beautiful art. I’ve really enjoyed exploring this site.
delightfilledart
Thanks! I am glad I have these artifacts too, although I don’t always know who the people are in the pictures – and most of them are of the dogs and horses!
Hillcrest Cottage, 1938 and 1942 | The Farmhouse Chronicles
[…] I have painted two versions of a painting featuring this house and its history, and I blogged about it back in 2011 on my art website here. and again the night before my first art exhibit. […]