Leaving "stuff' behind.

Today's art choice is an oil pastel I recently did for my Grandson. His room is all about Panda's and I love that kid so much that it was a joy to a paint, even though it isn't a subject matter normal for me. He loves it.

It feels good to be writing again. Last weekend I was in Minneapolis spending Mothers day hiking in the woods with my kids. There is nothing like being in nature to refresh the soul. The weekend before was 'girls weekend 'at my house. Three of my lifetime friends from South Dakota came for their last weekend with me in this town and house. If laughter is good medicine, we all got a good dose.

Emptying out a house,especially if you are an artist (pack rat) is really a big job. Here is an example: Last night after watching American Idol (don't you just love Danny? He is so nice and cute.) I went to my studio's storage closet to box up some supplies. I have made the decision to only bring my painting supplies to New York. I love anything creative and I have a tendency to stretch myself too thin. I want to spend a year concentrating only on painting. So here is an example of my problem: I love to make greeting cards and journals from my handmade papers and embossing and lino prints etc. I started to box it all up to save in storage until I return and move to Minneapolis. You cannot believe the agony I put myself through. I got everything organized and found myself mourning over the fact that I cannot take it with me. This morning I find myself more disciplined, "I will leave it behind."

I also face the dilemma on what to do with all of my 'non painting' art. I just posted some of it on etsy. If you are reading this and have the time I would appreciate it if you would check it out and pass the word.

I have so much more to say, but out of time today. http://artworksbydiane.etsy.com/

Another discovery on this journey of change.

My move to N.Y. is less than 10 weeks away. My 'calm, collected self ' is not feeling calm these days. 'Anxious' would probably be a better word to describe how I feel. Anxious as in; "I am so excited about going to N.Y." and "I am disturbed and worried that I cannot get everything done before I go."

My priority this week has been to correct any little flaw in my house so that it is ready to be properly presented to the potential buyers. (Note: I did not say 'next owner' because that thought still makes me sad.)

On to my discovery: I have a huge closet in my attic studio, and I decided that is a good place to start with the sorting process of what to save and what to throw. My discovery is that I can easily part with most of it. Here is one example:

I had 8 spiral notebooks of daily journals about my activities and thoughts during the first year after the divorce (19 years ago). I save this type of thing, imagining that someday when I am old I will read them for reflection and insight. It was very therapeutic then, but I don't have any desire to read it now. It is in the past. As I continued in the closet I realized I didn't need nor want to save most of what was in there.

This idea of getting rid of everything I don't need is contagious. The plan has always been to keep it simple and only take what I need to New York and store what I want to have when I move back and settle in Mpls. The list of what I want to save is getting very small.

The result of this is the feeling of freedom. I want to be rid of the burden of all of this 'stuff" I don't need. By clearing out this house, I am clearing out my life and keeping just the good. I am getting rid of the clutter in my life.

I recommend this idea to others. Think how easy it will be to find stuff !

Read the quote for today, it was perfect for this blog.

I hope to hear from some of you.
Diane

The best laid plans...blah blah blah

What a day I had yesterday.

I was so excited to see an empty square on my calendar, an entire day to spend as I wished. My plan to get my shopping done in the morning was good, I would take the dogs for a nice long walk in the woods when I get home. (My companion Sammie, a little 6 lb. Maltese and my daughters huge black poodle )

I really got into my shopping and was relieved that I didn't have to teach the art class I have been teaching on Thur afternoons since the first session had just ended and we were on a break. I came home with way too many bags, not just grocery's, a frame for my last painting, a couple of tee shirts, some self tanning cream and new lipstick and lotion for my very dry face, and oh yes, the grocery's that the trip was all about. Really, I MUST stay away from Super Target!



I walk into the house,bags in both hands, with 2 hysterically happy dogs barking and jumping their greetings to me and the phone is ringing. It is the art center giving me the news that two students showed up for the second session.........WHAT?! No! I have groceries to put away, I am hungry , the dogs are lonely and need a walk. I tell the art director to give the students some paper and watercolor paint to keep them busy for 15 min. I frantically stuff all the grocery's into cupboards, the microwave and refrigerator to protect everything from Jasper, the HUGE black poodle. I grab some art supplies and Sammie (no way is my sweet little guy going to be cooped up in this house alone with this HUGE poodle any more.) and jump into my car. I close the car door and discover the index finger on my left hand is still outside the door. Weird, no pain.When I opened the car door and removed my hand I discovered that the finger was wedged into the rubber lining of the door. Lucky for me.

Sammie was a little anxious when I first got to the art center so I held him as I started to teach. Within a few minutes I looked at my finger and it was rapidly expanding in size. I had no feeling in the finger, that was a good thing, right? The gals at the center brought me a little baggie of ice, so I rested my left hand on that which freed up my right hand to hold Sammie. When I wanted to demonstrate a procedure to the students I would let Sammie walk around the table. It was really cute when he started to drink the water we were cleaning our brushes with and walk through some wet paint and then walked across an empty canvas with his little green paws.

Next weeks class may be more organized but I am sure the students won't think it is nearly as much fun.

Tomorrows blog will be about the next step on my list. The saga continues on the journey of my next adventure: moving to New York.
1. I have decided to move to N.Y. to Nanny for a year.
2. Should I sell or rent my house?

Of course I will want your opinons so keep tuning in and thanks so much to those who have already commented. I will get back to each of you soon.

Diane