We had an art studio built off the side of our house shortly after I was born. I remember peering through the windows of the french doors and watching my mom paint until the wee hours of the night. The evenings were her time to paint, to completely immerse herself in her art, and time for me to bond with my dad whether it be over books, or building flash lights from household items. During the day, my mom and I would play in her studio, sketching (attempting for me) self-portraits, and building bank teller stands out of cardboard. My mother was not only a mother, but my full-time best friend. I didn't realize it then, and I have time to thank for showing me this.
As we all became preoccupied with other things in life, the art room became more of a storage room than a creative space. As we grew up, we went into the art room less and less. We excused ourselves with reasons being that the room was "too cold," and only went in there when we needed to get something such a ruler for less than creative projects. Eventually, we stopped going in there altogether. When places that once fostered such fond memories slowly turns into a cold place, it often seems easier to just avoid the memories altogether. We fall into routines, and say we're too busy, but how can we be too busy for the things we love most? As my mother says, "What's the point of life if we don't spend it doing what we love?"
One of the greatest surprises upon my trip home was finding that my mom and Pete had revived the beloved art room :) with an added "gallery" effect. Seeing her immersed in her art again makes my heart so happy, not to mention serving as her faithful apprentice in helping to gesso her canvases ˜_˜
Going through the motions of life, it's easy to lose touch with what you really love and want. It takes courage to do what makes you happy, and my mother's paintings serve as a daily reminder for me to embrace and fight for that joy. Here are some shots from the beloved art room. Hope this serves as that bit of inspiration to you as it has for me :) Stay true.
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
Love,
Daze