Ah the relaxed life of an artist on a Greek island! I won't pretend that it's not true, usually...
The day after I finished this painting and put it on auction on the dailypaintworks site, my husband and I drove to Athens on several missions: to find and buy Kathryn Gauci's newly translated book, The Embroiderer, as a gift for our Greek friend; stock up on paints and organic staples; and hear Dr. Jane Goodall speak at the Megaron Plus about the Roots and Shoots program. She was absolutely amazing! When we returned to Poros the next noon I checked my laptop. An email announced that the painting had sold to a private collector the first day of the auction! I state on my gallery site that I will ship within 3 days of purchase - so my first priority had to be to prepare the painting for shipping to Norway, even as my heart and head were full of new ideas on doing my part to help save the world, with Dr. Goodall's inspiring words so fresh and sweet. I had planned to finish the acrylic painting still waiting for me on the easel, now that I had my new tubes. Add to that my desire to start my new book. It's been gelling in my head for the past few months while researching modern Greek history - yet again because it's rather complicated.
And what about decorating for the holidays? I climb up the ladder to reach the Christmas mugs for teatime, finish packing the painting and literally run to the post office with it before closing time at 2pm. Lunch, and then we unpack our bags. Decorating will have to wait until tomorrow. I have just enough time to work on the acrylic painting before darkness falls.
But as I worked in the studio, sharp winds arrived from the north with nearly freezing temperatures. Although I'd winter-proofed this 130 year old house several weeks ago, it wasn't enough to keep the chill outside. Up went the thermostat, extra sweaters were donned, and blessed warmth was found in the bed thanks to the electric mattress cover. A sharp bang against the house jolted us from a sound sleep in the middle of the night - just a shutter that had come unhinged (speaking of unhinged...!).
The plaster around all five of the tall front windows had cracked, requiring immediate attention. Early the next morning I'm walking to the Pavlou shop for the necessary supplies, which I'm told also means I need a gun - no, not a killing machine - a caulking gun.
The next two days and I don't know how many hours were spent climbing up and down the ladder, applying caulk with the gun and then using my small painting knife to smear the rather foul-smelling stuff over the cracks. Oh, and around the doors repairs were needed too. After applying Tiger Balm on my aching shoulders, the scents mingling in the house did not remind me of Christmas. The winds continued for the next four days.
So, rather than my dreams of helping Dr. Goodall save the world, starting my new book, or adding my idea of beauty to it via a finished new painting, the mundane yet necessary stuff of life had used up most of my energy...with Christmas on the way. No, I didn't decorate this year except for putting a red ribbon around the cat's neck. I did enjoy reading - and continuing my research for my book - and starting another watercolor - and seeing friends. Priorities are important, especially.
I hope that you also had a merrily relaxed Christmas, and will have a brilliant New Year!
Pamela
www.pamelajanerogers.com
