First Trip Out Of Town In Months!

Bill and I made an escape to the lake.

It's our first time getting out of town since February. This may be the longest stretch ever. 

I'm looking forward to just sitting here staring at the lake. 

We boated and floated already. 

Yesterday, when I should have been packing, I was painting instead. 

 

 There was a very old fashioned portrait in the frame. It used to hang in my dining room and the brown colors worked with my red walls and the olive walls that came later. It may have been painting during the French Provincial fad of the 60s. 

Bill's mom worked for the Fine Arts Director for the school district. She knew all kinds of hobby artists back in the day.  I think one of the art teachers painted the portrait.  Some of the paintings done by this artist were copies so if it was a copy, it's not one that I'm familiar with. 

Since I've been having a French style resurgence, I tried to find a place for the portrait. In the end, I decided that it didn't work and that it was very old lady looking. Bill wouldn't like it hanging again, Hus patience only goes so far. 

The frame still has the price of $7.50 on the back. It's in amazing shape. 

I thought about trying to find a print to fit but decided to paint something instead. 

We were all given nick names in our blended family. I was Susie Homemaker. My sister was the artist. 

I don't think that it was done with malice or an attempt to box us in but it had the subtle effect of stifling the artistic side of me. Crafting was allowed in my Susie Homemaker status but not painting and I've always been a little intimidated by it. 

It is something on my "to do" list. I'd like to practice and get better. Many of the brush strokes and tiny futzy things aren't that dissimilar to crafting. 

Five canvases came in a package from Michael's so there are five tries to get the painting the way that I like it. 

If there is a sample, I can paint something similar. The springboard for this painting came from my friend, Judy at Gold Coast Cottage. She shared one of her grandmother's paintings at my Keep In Touch party. 

I don't think my painting looks much like Judy's but it was fun to try. I shared it on my Instagram. I'd love it if you would follow me over there for more up to the minute updates. 

Our realtor has put us in touch with a realtor out here so maybe we can finally find a property of our own in East Texas. 

We think there is a place out here for us but the timing just hasn't been right. 

This weekend, Bill is going to fish, nap, and read. I'm going to finish a needlepoint and read magazines. Napping will be in my future too. 

When we get home, there are some more fall crafts that we'd like to do and painting that I'd like to try. I'm so excited for fall. 

Life won't look much different but it will be a change, if that makes sense. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

That's all for now. 

Katie