Comments on: It’s a Rare Day That’s Not Interrupted…

By: Patricia Overell

Patricia Overell — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:24:19 +0000

I, too, used to crave for a day all to myself when the kids were younger. A break from the seemingly never-ending commitments to school, sports, etc. Guess what? Those empty nest days – right. Two of the adult kids have moved back in, and hubby now works from home. Peace and quiet? At least I used to have the time while everyone was gone for the day!

So tonight I leave for our second home, our condo near the grandkids. Hubby’s got a conference or two, I’m not really sure, and I get NINE days by myself! I have s couple of commitments, including babysitting and dealing with the contractor, but surely somewhere in there I will get some time to go through and try some tutorials, to sit and watch the river and just think. To calm my spirit, and spark my creativity which has been sorely lacking recently amid the chaos we call home here.

Patricia

By: Barb Hartsook

Barb Hartsook — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:54:01 +0000

Hi Laura — thank you so much for your comment.

That someday — when your kids are grown and gone from home — will come tomorrow morning. Or so it will seem then.

So, while I often pined for a day alone to straighten the lamps and dust — yes, it’s a verb now and then — my mom wisely told me early on to not miss any of the today stuff. And a lot of it is stuff! But even stuff, when remembered later for such a writer as you, will bring tears of memory and joy.

That said, I understand you completely. That lamp upended reminds you there are games to get to, homework to help with, tears to dry, stories to hear, hungry mouths to feed, clothes to get ready for tomorrow, hugs to be given, night-time rituals to love your kids through… well, and a myriad of other things far more important than straightening a lamp.

When the light is needed, you’ll pick up the lamp.

Thanks for coming to my galleries!!!

Barb

By: Barb Hartsook

Barb Hartsook — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:19:00 +0000

Sherry, I certainly know what you mean. Life wants to run faster than we do sometimes. That’s why a day like that, when you get one, is worth protecting.

It’s Biblical, you know. And studied from a psychologist’s point of view as well… If we don’t rest (meaning do something different) one day every week, our energies drop out the bottom. Sometimes that something “different” can still be work of sorts. Just a change of pace, one I choose, energizes me.

Thanks for leaving a comment.
Barb

By: Barb Hartsook

Barb Hartsook — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:13:14 +0000

Thank you Sherryll – it pleases me a bunch when someone wants to use the tutorial to paint their own. I hope to see what you’ve done — are you on one of the painting forums? If not, hopefully I will make contact with you some way — maybe in class!

Barb

By: sherryll

sherryll — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:44:35 +0000

hello barb, i’m taking the painter class at lvonline with you, i wanted to stop buy and say what a beautiful talent you have for this painting, and also to say thankyou, I’ve been looking at the tutuorial on the gorgeous little boy you painted, I’m going to have a go on the weekend, he’s so lovely, you’ve done a wonderful job, i’m off to look at your gallery and drool !, thanks again for sharing your work, cheers, sherryll

By: Laura King

Laura King — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:19:54 +0000

I truly enjoy your blog and paintings. I am craving such a day…trying to invent reasons for my family members (who I dearly love) to LEAVE the house!!

I want to clean alone…does anyone else love cleaning alone? There is a floor lamp in our living room that was knocked partially over by the dog. I could easily go over and set it up straight again…but I don’t….yet, if the house was mine, that would be the first thing I would do.

Yes, an uninterrupted day…a solo day that was just mine.

But then I think…what will it feel like when the kids have moved away? Do I crave something now that in the future will be too real?

In any case–I did take time for myself to view your gallery of paintings. You seem to make paint breathe.

Laura

By: Sherry

Sherry — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:39:48 +0000

Me time – go fishing… Those type of days don’t seem to appear on my calendar.

I am so envious of your artistic abilities. Beautiful work!

By: Barb Hartsook

Barb Hartsook — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:14:55 +0000

Hi Laurie — I’ll get back to your site and reestablish myself.

Liquid pencils are pulverized graphite put into either a water solution or an acrylic polymer. I bought the water ones. They do paint like watercolors, only they’re not. When they dry, you can run your hand across the paper and get graphite on your palm. Just as if you’d drawn with pencil.

I love the colors too. (Six of them.) They are so subtle. I’ll have to post another, using all the colors. Just remember, the color pigment has been added to grey pencil, and looks like it.

Thanks for visiting and asking the question, Laurie.

Barb

By: lauriescharmingdesigns

lauriescharmingdesigns — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:44:45 +0000

Thank you so much for coming to visit me. I accidentally hit the wrong and you went poof. I wanted to ask you more about the liquid pencils, I watched the videos, but I’m not sure I understand what the difference between them and watercolors. Have you found others that have used them? Laurie

By: Barb Hartsook

Barb Hartsook — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 01:07:04 +0000

Excellent point, Bean — I changed the last line. Not only do I need the boost to keep my own appointment, but he also answers the phone. Thanks.

Elaina, you fill a technical spot for so many of us. Not only are you an artist, but a geek as well — said only in the most loving of terms. And a great teacher…

Thank you Laurie and Daniela… my blog design comes from InfoCreek, their active link at the bottom of this page.

Dear Alice, you have many fishing days ahead of you — sometimes our best thoughts come in the quiet of the day.

Great class, isn’t it Karey? I’ll watch your blog too.