Next time I calmly announce we are living in the house while undertaking a major renovation then I want you to take a dirty great back swing and slap me silly because I will obviously be in a delusional state and will need a good flogging to set my head straight!
We have renovated before, though it was a while ago now, and I seriously thought it would be a bit of noise, a bit of dust, and as we hardly live in a quiet, pristine organised environment how different could it be... well I was so far off track it is insane.
The noise has been epic, the dust has moved through the house in drifts, and the mess and living out of boxes thing has been quite the challenge. Not that I don't mind the obstacle course nature of it, I think that is quite fun. The opportunity to do a commando roll to get to the broom is a joy everyone should experience. But five weeks in and I am kind of over it.
It isn't just the noise and dust, it is also the need to be up at sparrow's fart to greet tradesmen who are either crazy early, or epic-ally late depending on which opposite you require... if you have to get somewhere then you can guarantee the will be at least an hour late, and if you have been a tad tardy getting yourself together, then you can guarantee they will all be very early!... I swear the patron saint of all tradies must be bloody Murphy and most of these guys spent their whole lives worshiping him I tell you. They have all been amazing when they are here and we have been blessed with the nicest bunch of tradesmen ever and are doing amazing work, they just have no sense of time... seriously... their watches must all be synced up to a weird alternate sun because they turn up according to tradie time zone..
Tradesmen and their rather flexible schedules aside we are making progress... one bathroom was completely demolished in a two day jack hammering marathon... another was half demolished... those two have been rebuilt, a third has had a light reno, so outside of some painting they are sorted...
Floors have been ripped up and changed over to a gleaming loveliness. The kitchen was demolished and after more than a week of camping with no sink, oven, cook top or bench-tops we are finally approaching a usable area again... almost
As I type the pergola is being upgraded, doors and windows are being prepped for moving, and built in banquette seating is being designed and fabrics chosen, which is the fun bit of course...
which means in a few short weeks or so we will be done except for the painting and decorating of course
and the new front fence, garage door, jungle garden cull and painting the outside of the house... dear god it is never going to end
so I am doing what all creatives do when life is out of control, I am channeling that need for control into my art and doing some quite realistic styled watercolors. I just try to zen out on the need for observation and detail.
happy painting all...xx
24 comments:
Ha ha, oh gosh you are braver than I. I have two friends currently doing live-in renovations and both of them have told me stories that made my toes curl. Good luck, and happy PPF!
Thank you for the reminder... but I bet I won't move out when/if we renovate again because I'm married to the kitchen man/cabinet maker!! "It will all be worth it they said" Right. Yeah. No!
Wow I feel ya..when we had floors done I wanted to scream! You are brave taking on bathrooms and a kitchen...so big! You are increasing the value big time! Hope we get to see it! Your art is gorgeous!
Hugs Giggles
Fab art...sounds like you have been busy!
Delicious Art!
Happy PPF ❤
Hope the reno keeps on track. Do we get pics when it's finished? ;) It all sounds lovely though, well, when complete :)
Oh my dear sweet frustrated friend. I do so feel your pain. I've been through it so many times i have to use my fingers AND my toes to count. It never gets better... until it's finished that is, then you're just so darn happy you want to do a jig, throw confetti and party until the cows complain. Until it's done though it's like dental surgery going on and on and on. I gotta say though, that frustration you're funneling into your art is amazing. Those pears are the prettiest pears i've EVER seen and pears are my very favorite fruit to see painted so I've seen many pear painting. Seriously, awesome times five. I was in love with the lemons until the pears showed up and dazzled me. I love how you're combining the plain blue dishes with detail and observation. So great. It's gonna look so fantastic on your walls. i can't wait to see pics of it all!!! Hugs sweetie, you're gonna make it through.
Wow-I thought that watercolor was a photo. Nice. Have a good stiff drink and be happy your are almost done with that construction. UGH. I can relate as I have lived with that and you have my sympathy. Hopefully soon it will be done.:)
Oh, wow!! It sounds like your house is getting quite the makeover. I hope you share pictures when it's done! We did some renovating last year and basically lived (camped) in one room with two cats and a big dog for almost a month. It got old really fast, but so worth it!!
I love, love, love your new watercolors! The colors are just stunning! And the level of realism is amazing!! You are an inspiration! xoxo Silke
fabulous art! We're renovating our main bathroom so I understand-I gave up on dusting for awhile:)
Beautiful and realistic!
Beautiful art. I'm so glad you can still paint amidst the chaos.
I love the lemons!! They are so beautiful in their gorgeous bowl!!
such a beautiful bowl of lemons,, you have been busy and sounds like you will be even busier!!!
Luv your fruit; have to do some renovations myself. did some a few years ago, and its really about time I settled into that phase again soon. Wish me luck
much love...
I have been exactly where you are now with the reno. NOT FUN at all. Your art is amazing as is your attitude. Hang in there it will all be over soon.
Your art is stunning! I commend you for even trying to live in the house while construction is being done!
~~ Irene
Yikes, so sorry to hear about the troublesome renovation! Gorgeous bowls of fruit, wow.
These paintings are stunning!They would be perfect in a kitchen...
Yeah, renovations are messy and handymen must be the same all over the world. But boy, will you be happy when everything is finished and beautiful? Will you share some pictures then?
Hang in there! I have a renovation coming up. The worst in when I walk in on them pissing in the loo and they just give me a cheery smile!
Happy PPF
I feel your pain! I'm right there with you and it seems never ending! ONE week before Christmas our new kitchen will FINALLY be fitted, but right up to then it's an epic task of getting skirtings painted, units rubbed down and painted, blah blah... A visit here was just what I needed to lighten my mood! And those fruits? I could almost pick them up! The 3D is amazing!:0)
Oh that sounds like a nightmare! But also very exciting for when it is all finished! And I love the art it inspires you to create! These lemons and pears are just stunning!
the good thing is there is light at the end of the tunnel, almost finished but never quite finished because when you renovate everything else begins to look a bit shabby,, things that were completely acceptable prior to the reno seem maybe a bit less ok and so begins the avalanche of never ending improvements. I understand your need for concentration involved realistic painting during this stressful time, it makes perfect sense, I do the very same thing,,I find it takes me away, calms my mind.
Your work makes me calm,, its just so incredible, so beautiful,,
WOW! It sounds like you are doing some major renovations...it will be all worth it in the end. I had a big giggle over the tradie hours paragraph. I adore your sense of humour AND your artwork, Trace!
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