Lisa Call

Structures #97 (In Progress)    ©2008

Structures #97

I made some progress on my latest textile painting over the week. Above is my first pass at roughing in all of the lines. After moving things around I came up with the version below. I’m liking the right hand side but the left still needs more work. Because my studio is now in my bedroom I can see the piece when I wake up in the morning and today I think I came up with a plan for improving it.

Structures #97 (In Progress)    ©2008

Weekend Plans

We’re still in our streak of record high temps here in Denver with yesterday hitting 104. Today is looking to be least 100 and Sunday a cool 97. Not exactly the kind of weather for doing much without air conditioning. I’m tempted to spend the entire weekend sleeping (or attempting to sleep in the heat) but that seems a bit out of character for me. The kids left for vacation with their dad this morning so I have 2 weeks to get some stuff done, so that’s of course what I will do.

In addition to working on Structures #97, I plan on dyeing fabric today, with the heat I should get rich vibrant colors. Tomorrow I’m headed to the mountains to cool off a bit after washing out all my fabric in the morning so the weekend’s not all work.

I also need to work on my house remodel plan. I’ve had my head stuck in a place where I think I have to design a house that will have good resale value and the result isn’t working for me. So I’m going to toss those ideas and just build the perfect house for me. A friend sent me a link to a really interesting book, The Not So Big House. Great ideas about building a house that is aligned with how I live my life instead of designed to impress others.

Where did my weekend go?

Now that I’ve lived in my 1955 built house for a month I realize how much I take for granted. Like screens in the windows. What an amazing invention, without them one ends up with moths and other flying creatures all over one’s studio when working at night with a light on. Kinda fun to flick bugs off my computer screen, in a "once in a life time adventure" sort of way. I’m thinking long term this might not work out for me.

I had hopes for getting quite a bit more done this weekend but it was hot hot here in Denver, 100 or close both days. The modern convenience I miss the most is my air conditioning. Not only is it so crazy hot in the house the thought of turning on an iron is insane, it doesn’t cool off much at night so sleeping has been a challenge. After a week of 4 hours of sleep each night I was pretty wiped out by the weekend. Did a lot of nothing.

Even the cats are unhappy. Abby (see above) has taken to sleeping stretched out and upside down (and climbing out the screenless windows and escaping - but that’s another issue). Nukie (below) passes out behind my sewing machine so I have to move her every time I come back to sew. She makes a pitiful sound but she gets over it, and comes right back as soon as I leave. She’s no dummy, the fan is pointed into that corner of the room.

Last night I figured out the secret to sleeping in this heat (a wet frozen compress is a wonderful way to cool off) so that problem should be solved and I’m feeling more on my game with some rest. We’re only in the 90s this week so it’s positively chilly in here. Tomorrow if all goes well I will finish my studio newsletter and email it.

If not I’ll be napping in the heat.