Thursday, January 11, 2018

the start of the big purge


THE BIG PURGE

I started the house organizing purge today!

This is a brand new year.
I know so many people who have told me that
they're starting to clean up and clear out.
What are they clearing out?
STUFF.

Bunches and bunches of stuff.

Those of you who know me know that
I'm an avid reader.
And when I say avid, I mean um, obsessed.

 I have books everywhere.
In my studio.
In my closet.
Next to the recliner in the living room.
On top of the dining room table.
On top of my nightstand
INSIDE the nightstand drawer.

And these are not just a few books.

Oh, I forgot my granddaughters' books too.
Right now they are boxed in a closet,
but they have to come out soon.
Because we REALLY like to read.

And I also have all of the 
"clear your clutter" books.
All of the popular ones.
The Art of Tidying Up or
something like that.
And The Art of Letting Go by Peter someone.
Just two of many.

Anyway, I am determined to start cleaning out and
keeping only those things that I really love or
that have sentimental value.

SO, I have a dilemma.

I just jumped back into work day before yesterday
and I am trying to make sure I have time to
work every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Tuesday is acupuncture and therapy.
Thursday is granddaughter day.
Saturday and Sunday are free for anything that
comes up or painting.

How am I going to do this big purge? 

I CAME UP WITH A PLAN!

I will fill 2-3 (aiming for 3) boxes of stuff
to take to the thrift store or throw away.
EVERY DAY.
Today I started in my closet.
Mainly with books.
I FILLED FOUR BOXES!

Should I be ashamed that I have so many books?
Nah, books have taught me so much and
helped me become who I am today.
But I really don't need to have so many.

I'm not posting any pictures now - 
I will post when I have finished cleaning my closet.
It will be a thing of beauty.

After I filled my four boxes, 
I went into the studio with the idea of blogging.
But I smelled the oils and they drew me
to sit down and start sketching.

I chose a photo of Abiquiu
because I dearly love that place.
It literally takes my breath away driving
 down those roads heading to Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch.

Here is my scene and my sketch:



You can't hardly see the sketch because I wipe it
off with a tissue as I go, 
so I have the thinest, lightest sketch possible.  
I like the lines blurred.
It's like squinting I guess.

Here is the side by side:


There are aspects of the original image that I like and dislike.
I don't love the flat straight-across plane where
the foreground meets the trees.
So I changed that up a little.
I loved the background layers of mountains.
But I didn't want to take the time to  get it perfect.
It will have to do...
I love the hills in front of the mountains.

But. man, I had a hard time with them.

I think I am impatient and maybe more precise
sketching would help, but I just don't want to do that!

So here is the finished piece photographed under 
so-so studio lighting.

I titled it "JUST BREATHE"
because honestly, that scenery just leaves me breathless.

What places take your breath away?







1 comment:

  1. I can relate to simplifying things. I too am reading a book that was a Christmas gift, "Soulful Simplicity" by Courtney Carver. She mentions Project 333 (google it) she came up with I am going to try. Pick 33 items of clothes to wear for 3 months. Put anything else in storage or consider donations or trash for some. I don't have a huge issue with clothes, but want ways to make life easier. Thank you for sharing Dee.

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