But yes, housekeeping. You may remember that I have occasionally mentioned various de-cluttering projects. Working with that in mind I have begun de-cluttering paper work and organizing my routine. All in an effort to simplify my days and create calm in our home life. I was inspired by this post to create my own 'life binder', so I have been organizing files and papers in an effort for it all to make more sense. In my younger days I never would have imagined myself as a woman who would be overly concerned with keeping house. I have actually had conversations recently about laundry detergent, of all things. From my own mother I learned that housekeeping created anger. But back then I never imagined that I would be a mom, homeschooling, and working from home either. Which brings me back to housekeeping. It's a job like any other, and when done with imagination and integrity it can bring comfort. And for that opportunity I am grateful.
I especially like the sink full of dishes image and the quote! You might wish to check out the art of Mary Pratt. She is a Canadian artist that established her reputation on her kitchen imagery. For subject matter she often used what was being served for supper - cod fillets on tin foil or eviscerated chickens. One of my favourite scenes depicted is the dinner table after a meal (nice and messy). She is a very talented artist and as a woman born in 1935, she turned the art world on its head with her domestic subjects. Well, she was a mom with four kids! :-)
ReplyDeleteAs for housework, well I think it is hard to conquer the world if we can't get victory over a sink full of dirty dishes! So many folks have big ambitions for their lives and yet they can't even manage to pick their pants up off of the floor. :-) Okay, I am a gal that likes order and yes it does take effort (I am dealing with a mountain of papers in my office that I swear appeared overnight) but I agree that dealing with this stuff does bring a sense of calm.
Thanks Teresa! I love your conquering the world analogy! I looked up Mary Pratt and really enjoyed seeing her work. I'll be looking at her works more, I am sure! It irks me that here in the US, in art history courses, much emphasis is placed on learning about art from Latin countries yet nothing from Canadian artists is ever covered. I appreciate the connection!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny... I used to be obsessive about keeping the house clean, and now I don't really care. If the shelves are dusty when I walk by, it's just a happy reminder to myself that I have been busy doing other, more enjoyable things with my time! However, I do love to unclutter still. Give me a big empty trash bag, and I will have it filled with items to donate to GoodWill. Your paintings are wonderful. I like the colors in both of them, and they seem to compliment each other, even though a teapot doesn't have much to do with trees... they just go together so nicely on your pages!
ReplyDeleteI love the sketch of the dishes in the drainer. Mindfulness while doing housework is such a nice concept. I enjoy cooking more than cleaning, so it's easier to be mindful then. Also it's easier for me to care more about nourishing people with good food than about nourishing them with a clean and comfortable space.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, I am glad you enjoyed Mary's work. For more Canadian talent, check out Mary's ex-husband, Christopher Pratt. He is probably more famous than she is. His work reminds me of the art of Alex Colville (another contemporary Canadian to check out). I saw an exhibition of Alex's work at the National Gallery a few years ago and after viewing room after room, I was speechless. Such a unique palette and vision of the world! The internet doesn't do large work justice but you will get the idea. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYour last line is so wonderful, Ann. I loved my few years staying home with my daughters when they were little. I miss staying home now, and yes - it is a job too. Your image of the dishes made me want spaghetti. Yes, I am easily influenced.
ReplyDeleteLovely composition Ann, the sink is my favourite too.
ReplyDeleteGreat sketchbook pages I love the housework one. At Chinese New Year the tradition is to clean the house before and then not sweep away the good luck for 3 days and ,to prepare the food for the first day of the new year the day before so you don't cut the good luck away. Needless to say, I did my cleaning and I've been sitting sketching and taking advantage of that......(although there's nothing about not washing up)
ReplyDeleteGreat pear sketch too!
Great sketchbook pages I love the housework one. At Chinese New Year the tradition is to clean the house before and then not sweep away the good luck for 3 days and ,to prepare the food for the first day of the new year the day before so you don't cut the good luck away. Needless to say, I did my cleaning and I've been sitting sketching and taking advantage of that......(although there's nothing about not washing up)
ReplyDeleteGreat pear sketch too!
Glad you posted these pages, Ann. What a concept...simplify. Takes a bit of work and patience to de-clutter. I haven't found either yet, but perhaps your influence will help. That and moving again :)
ReplyDeleteI love the kitchen sketch...my theory is get it done and out of the way as soon as possible, so that I have more time for sketching. But I can feel a de-clutter coming on too!
ReplyDeletehmmm whats housekeeping?? ;p
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! And no, I'm not trying to be overly obsessive about it all, just wanting to stay on top of everything so that it doesn't become too overwhelming all at once! Schedules do help keep me sane :-) And that laundry soap is amazing I must say.
ReplyDeleteI used to hate doing laundry, folding clothes, doing dishes, cooking and then having to do dishes later... that's when I was still staying with my parents. And guess what I am doing the most at home now.... laundry, folding clothes, cooking and doing dishes after cooking ^^ My wife does most of the other 'cleaning' I still do the dirties stuff though, but I take that as karma since I hated doing them, I have to do them the most now.
ReplyDeleteLove the sketches Ann