Someone at work told me that they recognise me these days as the person I was when I started my job there four years ago. They said how I seem to have released myself from the “squashed down” version I had become over the years, and that whatever it is that I’m doing - I should keep doing it.

This week has been just fantastic. I feel great; work is fantastic; mood is stable and elevated; I’m out and about and really enjoying life. 

The Big Draw

Yesterday was the last Saturday of the month so that meant a MeetUp with the Big Draw family. This weekend we went to Judges Bay in Parnell. I wasn’t the only person in the group who had never been to this part of Auckland before. It had lots of places and things and people to draw - from the expanse of the lake, to the chapel and graveyard on the hill, to the streets filled with every style of house I think Auckland could ever offer!

The weather was spectacular too although it got quite cold out of the sunshine as the day progressed.

I set up at a picnic table and prepared to draw the lake with the kids dive-bombing off the jetty. Between the distance and my eyesight, I really did lose my way. Also still over working and muddying my watercolours - I even knew as I was doing it but kept puddling away and making things less clear.

But it’s in the doing that things get done, and I barrelled on.

Things I need to remember next time I pick up my pen and brushes:

1. decide on a focal point - what the heck are you drawing?
2. don’t fixate on details - broad strokes and gestures suggesting shapes.
3. draw people in the environment - to give scale and context
4. stay away from sedimentary colours - purify the palette and stop the mud!

It was a fantastic turnout though. Quite a few newbies showed up and I hope they come again. Again we relied on the kindness of a stranger to take our group photo at the end of the day and she did a fantastic job of getting us all in the photo.

Projects update

Wallpapering of the guest bedroom is done. It looks fantastic. Got rid of the worn carpet and revealed vanished floorboards. Personally, I want to paint them white but was out-voted by the rest of those with opinions. We’re gonna get a big rug in the mean time as well as two single beds for visitors. We’re slow, but we’re moving forward.

Hutch dresser repaint is all mine so getting my way with the white paint. Two coats of undercoat on the base of the dresser shows the promise of “stain retardant” not quite as retardy as I’d like but hey, it will add interest in the end! Again, slow progress - but progress none-the-less.