Dreamer

I'm a dreamer.  I am not sure how all my ideas actually fit inside my head.  I wish I could actually finish some of the projects that I have started or even start the ones I haven't.  I would think it would free up some space and maybe I would be able to think more clearly.  I have such a hard time remembering things and I know it can't be because I am getting older.  Tomorrow, I am supposed to work on projects with my sister. I hope it is very productive and I can wake up on Sunday refreshed.  The unfinished projects weigh heavy on me and make me tired.  Does anyone else feel this way?

It's an Illness!

I have been going to garage sales, estate sales and second-hand stores to find cheap stuff and then I bring it home to redo.  I paint it, distress it, embellish it, whatever I can to make it look new and interesting.  The problem with this, is I have already filled a trailor and my secret hiding places are filling up as well.  I don't have time to work on the stuff I have, but I keep wanting to buy more!

Station 83

It has been quite some time since I have posted, but let me explain.  I bought an old Texaco Gas Station in April and I have been completely comsumed in the renovation.  We had to completely gut the bulding and add a new roof.  Recently, we added a kitchen and bathrooms and insulated so when we get air-conditioning we won't lose all the cool air through the ceiling.  I am trying to decide if I want to stain the concrete or just paint it.  I haven't stained concrete before, but I really like the look.  I am leaning toward that, but I will need to spend some time watching tutorials and time is something I don't have a lot of.
We are calling our new station, Station 83.  It is on highway 83(hence the name), which is the shortest distance from Canada to Mexico.  We are hoping to attract some attention with our bright red new sign and and interesting front door.  The door is probably my favorite creation so far.  It was original to the building, but in really bad shape, so a friend of mine helped add gears, bolts and car parts (which we found in the station) and painted it shades of turquoise and bright green. I love it!

New Obsession

I may be way behind the times, but I have recently discovered pinterest.com. It has so many great ideas. I think maybe I should have a pinterest retreat! I didn't get to have the personal retreat I wanted to at the beginning of November and due to the basketball tournaments that my daughter is in during the month of December, it doesn't look like their will be an opportunity for me to have one until after the first of the year. Whew! This year has flown by!

I am still working on my encaustic journey. I have wanted to master this new technique, but I have not devoted the time I need to on experimenting. There seems to be so many basic questions that I have, and since time is so precious, I guess I want them all answered before I make a committment. I read another post resently about another artist who schedules retreats for herself. She blocks the time and prepares by getting all her supplies and food ahead of time. She has the support of her family and they allow her to lose herself in her studio without interruptions. I definitely think this would help me on my encaustic project. November 5th and 6th seems like a perfect weekend for my personal retreat.

Artist's Retreat

This summer I tried my hand at having artist's retreats on my ranch. I invited friends to come and spend the weekend and try their hand at creating art projects. We had grilled pizza and even a late evening swimming party. Pojects kept us late into the night and we continued working on them until midday on Sunday.
Everyone seemed to feel a bit more relaxed and truly inspired by what they were able to create. Some liked their Batiks, while others liked their imprinting crosses. I think they were all glad they came and even made suggestions of other retreats they would like for me to have, including mother/daughter, family and youth groups.
All in all, I felt pretty good about everything and I am certainly willing to have more retreats next summer. Who knows, I may not even be able to wait until the summer and scheduled one this fall.