A Gallery Wall

So what do artists do with all those paintings they generate when they are in-between galleries or still in the works?   It would be nice if artists could sell their paintings as fast as they paint them or have them all farmed out to galleries.  But it just doesn't work that way.   So in the meantime .... rather than me continuing to punch nail holes in my studio wall, my husband created a gallery hanger for me.

The hanger which is about 1/2" x 1 1/2" is painted to match the wall and is hung with a very small gap between it and the wall.  The paintings are then hung from the wooden strip on fishing line.  You can't see the fishing line in this photo and you can hardly see it if you are standing right here in the room with it.

I've been pretty busy this winter painting.  Several of these are not finished - like the big one right in the middle.  And some are for painting classes at T.F. Rice & Co. when it opens in the Spring.  

The "laugh" sign is there just to remind me that I need to do that at least once a day.

I love my new gallery wall!

Junk Mail and Dust Bunnies

Did I mention Eric was laid off a few days ago.  He has a lot of free time on his hands.

Yesterday he discovered junk mail. An offer for dental insurance. He spent 30 minutes discussing rates with me. Called them for a few more details. How much more junk mail will that generate since he had to tell them everything including his blood type to get answers?  He was about to call our dentist to discuss his rates - when , thank heavens, we had to leave.

A while ago he brought in the shop vac and so far has spent about 45 minutes cleaning behind and under the refrigerator. He brought in the air compressor a few minutes ago and told me he was going to have to blow a little to get everything out. I reminded him - it is the kitchen, the place we prepare food as I quickly covered the pot of boiling chicken. He said he would blow just a “little.”

Murphy has gone into hiding. I would go with him if I could find him. The house is kind of vibrating from the air compressor. I think the shop vac is running too!!!  I know when he is finished, it will be so clean back there we could eat off the floor. But it’s kind of scary!

I love my husband

My Dirty Little Life

I am married to a man who operates heavy dirt moving equipment for a living - equipment like bulldozers and backhoes. In other words - he moves dirt. Here’s the proof.

These boots have been the cause of one cat tale, a piece of art and many trips and stumbles. They are BIG and they are parked on our back porch when they are this dirty.

As a matter of fact there have been times he was so dirty he has left all his clothes out there. (Is that more than you wanted to know?) When you move as much dirt as he does, you can’t help but get a little on you - or a lot. I have been known to take his jeans outside and beat them on the fence to knock off all the dirt clods. I have also laid them on the grass and turned the garden hose on them.

The nice thing about clothes that are dirty with just dirt is that it is - just dirt. It’s not greasy or oily, it’s not stained with stuff like grass. And just dirt washes out pretty easy - after the beating and hosing. The dirt around here is usually either a pale brown or reddish brown.

It helps to know I am not alone. There must be millions of men who move dirt for a living. And you know behind everyone of those men there is probably a woman like me - cleaning up the mess. Yes - it is a dirty job and someone has to do it. (I’m sorry. I just had to say that.)

Moving dirt is actually a very important part of the world we live in. Just about anything you are going to build outside requires the moving of dirt. Ex: roads, buildings, dams, bridges, houses, - I could go on and on. And there are a lot industries that revolve around dirt. Ex: heavy equipment; garden equipment like shovels and hoes; bath soaps, dish soaps and laundry detergents; vacuum cleaners and dusting equipment; etc.

I have come to accept the dirt.
And when it comes time to replace our kitchen floor and carpet I need to pick something that is pale brown or reddish brown.

The Boot Story - A Cat Tale

Hi!  My name is Murphy!

 

Eric works in the construction field and wears big heavy boots that lace up past the ankles. In the evenings he usually leaves them under our kitchen table and sometimes Murphy likes to play with the laces. So it’s not unusual to find the boots knocked over or in disarray as they were one morning several years ago.

That fateful morning Eric put on the boots lacing them all the way up as usual, then stood up. Something felt a little odd about one boot. He sat down, untied the boot, took it off and straightened his sock - thinking that would fix the problem. He put the boot back on, laced it up and stood up. Darn! Something still felt a little odd.

This whole time - Murphy is just sitting there watching as though he was really interested in this strange human behavior.

Eric sat down again, took the boot off. This time he stood up and turned so the ceiling light was aimed down the boot. Then - YES - he did exactly what you know you shouldn’t do!!!! He stuck his hand in that big black hole while trying to see into the boot.

Here it is! Are you ready???? A mole, yes a mole (you know - one of those furry small rodents that tunnel through your yard) raced up his arm and took a flying leap off his shoulder onto the kitchen floor The race was on. This was exactly what Murphy had been waiting on.

It happened so fast - it took Eric a few minutes to figure out what had happened. And then he had to join the race. Eric won, disposed of the mole, took another shower and left for work.

It was just another day with Murphy.