A Rainy Day

It’s wet, kinda warm, and humid. That’s Texas for ya. It was cold this morning, which called for a slow and cozy Saturday. I actually made coffee this morning despite having quit a few months ago. I’ve been drinking more and more lately, it’s so good, so satisfying!

I decided not to create in the studio today. It’s too dark and I don’t like painting in the dark. Instead I played with my youngest daughter, a collection of Barbie’s and doll house items intentionally spread across the vintage rug on the floor of my studio. We played for hours, finally ending the game when my hips hurt too much and I could no longer sit on the floor. She didn’t want to stop, she could go on for hours! Oh, to be 5 years old.

She didn’t want to play with me for a while, only wanting to play with her big brother and big sister. I enjoyed sitting on the floor with her and pretending to be in a different world. The world of a child. I try to bring this childlike play into my work; colors and texture enhances the mundanity of life. I think I capture that in the majority of my works, at least the ones with my children.

I have even gone so far as to collaborate with my children, allowing them to play on the canvas and then going in with details and narrative after they’ve had their fun. This was a practice in self-control for me. I needed to learn how to let go of perfectionism and enjoy the process.

A very similar practice as sitting on the floor and engaging in creativity with a 5 year old. Especially my very bossy, very independent 5 year old.

As we all know, she is the boss, I’m just here along for the ride.