Painter’s Choice.
It’s recommended, when we are out and about, we wear a mask. But as a painter, it is my choice to wear one indoors as well.
Who wouldn’t, with the task I was about to undertake? I decided I needed a reset for my creative spirit and confidence. So much of the art I create sits in waiting for acceptance. I wanted to create something that would immediately be appreciated and useful in someone’s life. One day a month ago, during these dreary stuck-in-doors days, I dragged myself down to the basement to do a load of laundry. I tossed in some shirts, slacks and a handful of masks that we wear to the grocery store and such. The grey rock walls of my home’s ancient foundation were as depressing as the world outside seemed as of late. It hit me, as I pulled a mask out of one of my pants pockets, I could do much more behind the mask. I could make this dingy, disorderly basement so much better and brighter for the people who live here.
Paint Stock.
I dug through my stock of leftover paint cans. My daughter loves creative room themes, so I had a stash of ridiculously bright colors. As an artist, however, I am fortunate enough to know that you can make some more neutral colors with a little opposite-side-of-the-color-wheel mixing. I was able to create some pleasing blends with the exception of having to deal with one light lavender wall. It was all good though. I popped it up with some ridiculously bright colored Trug tubs, which I believe are now called Red Gorilla, that I hung about for later use in the garden, and to hold our exercise ball.
Paint Brushes.
With everything clean and freshly painted, I created more useful and organized spaces for doing laundry, working out, and even some play spaces for when days are wet or overly hot. A cool basement refuge can now be a reasonable option. If you have to be home, it might as well be fun.
After weeks of being dirty and dripped on I can finally trade out my paint brushes. I’m down from the 3″ brush to some filbert, fan and angle brushes. Back to being artistically creative.