Wednesday, February 6, 2013

In the Art . . . Studio?

17 weeks
4 months old already?!

There's no question that a newborn brings all sorts of new chaos and messiness into his parents' lives.  Our sweet guy is no exception -- the mountain of unfolded laundry looms ever higher, the house needs a good dusting and scrubbing, and our kitchen table's surface hasn't seen the light of day in months. 

And I'm so glad.  So, so glad.  Because that laundry is unfolded because instead my son is folded into my arms.  The house isn't so clean because I'm watching him learn and grow before my very eyes.  And the kitchen table?  Half of the things on there have to do with him.  

I'm very serious about the business of watching the miracle blossoming of our son's life.  Besides, I never have been very good at the housewifery. 
But there is one thing I've been missing, and that's a dedicated spot to get creative.  In the past, my "studio" has been our kitchen table (see above for why that's no longer it), a table in our living room, the same table moved into our spare bedroom (a.k.a. the baby's room), and, most recently, a small desk in our bedroom.  

The problem is that Baby Boy (when we manage to con him into sleeping for a bit -- he's a dedicated nap resister) snoozes in a couple of different spots in the house.  Between that and just a general lack of free space, there is no place for my art-making to call home.  So right now, my art "studio" has been: our bed, the recliner, the floor (I may or may not have stained the living room carpet with my pastels this week).

Here's what I've been up to in my "studio," spurts of creative messiness snuck in between the joys and sacred struggles of mamahood . . .

Untitled

Oil pastel attempt

soft pastel intuitive drawing

charcoal portrait

Janessa

That is to say, a bunch of work on Misty Mawn's Face To Face With Art portraits course, and new Not Forgotten angel baby drawings.  Studio not required.  ;)

linking up with:
StudioJRU

9 comments:

  1. I LOVE the term housewifery!! I've never been very good at it, either! There are so many more interesting things to do!

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  2. "...spurts of creative messiness snuck in between the joys and sacred struggles of mamahood . . ."

    Best. Line. Ever.

    Well, as far as this creative momma is concerned! That pretty much sums up how I've been able to be creative for the last 10 years. It hasn't been easy, but the payoff is when our babies (big and small)start creating right along with us.

    Blessings to you and yours!
    Anna K.
    via Studio JRU

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  3. I think if most of us are really honest we all have similar homes. My kids are now older teenagers and it's still that way! That's some great artwork and a little Resolve will make the carpet good as new! Coming from StudioJRU

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  4. so true ~ studio not needed. so sweet to see you holding your gorgeous baby boy.

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  5. I have been away so long I haven't seen your darling baby boy! He is precious, Beth! So very thankful for a healthy mama and baby. I will have to go back and read your older posts to catch up. (((hugs))) to you, friend, and give your baby a kiss for me :)

    ps love those portraits! I have her book (which I had out just this week) and love it-I'm sure her class is awesome!

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  6. Beth, that top drawing keeps capturing me and I keep scrolling back to it. Wow.

    (And that picture of you and Jacob is adorable!)

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  7. Yes, interesting faces full of sweetness, that sweet baby ...

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  8. Love all of these Beth -- but the girl with the blonde hair is so angelic. Beautiful!

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  9. Your baby boy is precious! I love the first girl, her face is so interesting. Nice job!

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"I am glad you are here with me."
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King