Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Hollywood came a knocking and I burned out

Actually Hollywood came knocking at the neighbors door. This only affects our parking situation with trailers and production crews and the whole exciting works. 
And we are going to miss it!
Corner gas is filming a few houses away on the next block this week and I am actually glad that we are taking a small trip that day to get to miss the traffic.
However my mom and siblings will be descending on the house hoping to get a brief sneak peek at a star. 
TT got her fill as she rubbed shoulders with Hank and Karen at mosaic this past weekend. It is film season! Business is everywhere!

Way off topic for a moment now...
I want to apologize to those of you waiting for a package from me in the mail. I put them in my bag to mail two weeks ago and in all the craziness of late forgot to do it. I found them as I was routing the other day, so now my goal tomorrow is to get them mailed!

Now another off topic topic...
I want to thank you gals that commented about camping. You made me realize something.
What you love about camping is what I love about the cottage.  I love the campfires, but I love the clean private washroom of home. I love laying under the stars and listening to waves lap at the shore but I love a warm cozy indoor bed. I love the freedom of running all ever the place and fun explorations but I also love not being three feet away from the next site.
I love eating camp food but from my kitchen and not from my cooler full of melted ice cubes.
I am a cottager!
Glad I got that out, whew!
My hat is soooo off to you die hard campers, I feel like such a chicken admitting  my wimpiness about camping. Bring in a motor home, I would reconsider for that.

Now about my burn out.

I am sick.

I decided to tackle a painting and picked up the canvas last Monday. It is a biggie and a landscape.
I waaaaaaay underestimated the time on it, by ooooh lets say....12 hours.
I figured it would take 8 hours and now 20 hours later I only have to varnish it. Whew.
Every single extra moment I poured into this painting. When the kids napped, after they went to bed and whenever Dave went somewhere he took them so I could plug away.

I had nightmares.
 I didn't sleep, I had to drink coffee to sleep and water to stay awake. 
I was a mess. I stayed up till 2 and 3 am busting my butt to pull this thing off. Now it is off to be delivered tomorrow. I am not doing anything with such a time constraint ever again.

Never.

So as I did the last stroke I breathed a sigh of relief and let my body sag.  Within moments I felt tightness in my throat, aches in my ears and neck and a had a longing for bed.
I obeyed my poor body. 
I must always listen to it, my health comes before art from now on!

Now here are a few photos of the days with the kids when painting did not happen. 
We splashed in puddles.
Squinted into the sun.

Made surprise crafts for daddy.
Hung out with Auntie Em and Uncle "Phuf."
The kids picked flowers for me. I love them.

We had tea parties.
And made potato stamps.
But in the background the painting haunted me. Screamed at me to be finished and taunted that I just might not make the deadline.
We had a few painting dates but I didn't get much done, too much bumping of little elbows.

We managed to get out to a BBQ birthday party for little mommy and also helped a friend through her miscarriage and cleaning up for a move.
We crafted a little more and I was coming to my breaking point.
But we plugged away glad to be out of the house and away from the painting.
But it called.
And while Ethan napped Kaitlyn and I made some progress on out pieces.
(click on images to view larger)
And it is done.

And I am done.
This painting is for a dentist back in St. Albert. This is his view right now from his office. In a few months he is getting moved to make way for new condos and his new location will be ground level across from a curling club. No view.
So this was ordered in remembrance of the view. This is what he saw.

Now I  am glad to take a small painting break and chill. De-stress
Do some shopping and work on my tan for sure!
I need to just hang with my family for a few days.
And sleep!

Night all, I have missed you, I am now way behind on my reading, it has been a week since I read a blog, now this is daunting!
And I miss it! I miss blogging like I used to miss art, time for a little art break for sure!


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yay for more great photos! And I love your painting, it's beautiful!!

Glenda Conner said...

We are glad you're back Anna, take care of yourself though "k" - goodness girl! Beautiful painting!

Kori said...

As always, your photos are fantastic. and whether you know it or not, your comment about health coming before art is a great reminder to me to take care of myself, and I needed it this morning. Glad to have you back!

Unknown said...

I just want to know when you are going to start selling Kaitlyn's paintings too!

I love the trees in your painting for the dentist.

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

That is a gorgeous view and you have captured it perfectly, well done Anna, all the hard work paid off. Now get some rest!

Enjoy your trip and see you when you get back :-)

Angela Fehr said...

Glad you're back! But if you have to be away from the blogdesk, at least it's because you are painting! The painting is great - such a familiar Prairie/West scene - totally like the view around here!

Anonymous said...

Wow, fantastic job on the painting. And you are so brave to have it on the floor while so much is going on around you :).

And cool about Corner Gas, I've been watching a bit more since I went to the set on my visit. I will look out for glimpses of your street :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Anna,

I just typed a long comment but then lost it. I meant to comment about camping. I love it. I will tell you why later because I don't feel like typing it all again.

Anyway, the painting is beautiful. You are so full of talent! I wish Skip would pick up the brush again.

Talk to you soon. Enjoy Edmonton and Calgary.

Catharine said...

I thought those were our grain elevators! The painting is breath-taking and I am sure it will be very much appreciated. Great job! My favorite photo this post is the one of the boots in the puddle...so cute!

Anonymous said...

When can I purchase one of Kaitlyn's paintings?

MJ said...

Good luck with getting a tan! Hope it won't snow!

Hope you are feeling less stressed! Lovely painting and what a great memory for the dentist!

Karen MEG said...

What a view, and what a fantastic way to capture it!

You and the kids are always doing such fun, fun things! Where do you get the energy! Hope you're feeling better!

SAJ said...

Wow. The painting is amazing. Next time charge and arm and a leg!