Inspired by the Islands

When we moved here, some of our stuff came with us and the rest went to storage.  It was a busy hectic time and for some reason, I didn’t pack anything to hang on the walls or decorate the house with. 

I’m not sure what I was thinking.  Maybe I thought that a hurricane would come and all would be lost or maybe I just thought of it as stuff and we were only bringing essentials.  Who knows.

It turns out to be one of the best things I’ve done.

After living with bare walls for a few months I decided that I must get something on them.  I went to a store and bought two canvases and a couple of colors of paint.

  These were the result.

They are fine, but not really all that inspiring.

At the same time I was quickly filling up lots and lots of containers of treasures from my walks on the beaches.  Sea glass, sea biscuits, sea urchins, sea fans, shells, limpets and even driftwood.  If it caught my eye, chances are, it was coming home {much to Allen’s chagrin}.

Where before I might have had something I picked up from TJ Maxx, now I have these lovely reminders of our time in the islands.  It is much more meaningful to have what I consider treasures than something that was bought in a store.

Since college I had not painted consistently, but had really wanted to get back to it.  I just thought I was too busy.  So once I was undeniably NOT busy I had no excuse!

I’m still not at a point where I feel comfortable with my technique, but I am getting the feeling of it more.  I have my next painting planned out, but I am nervous to start.  I am pretty sure it will not turn out like I see it in my mind.

Last week I saw this post by another island blogger and it got me inspired to drag all of my treasures out and do some re-arranging.

My dining room table was a glorious mess for a while.

Stay tuned.  I have to show you the results. 

Just as soon as my house is clean.  And the sun is shining.  And there are no boys to photobomb my shots.  And when I have nothing better to do … Should be any day now, right?