painting

Probably like a lot of you, I've been trying to figure out my world in this new life. I don't have a full time job, so that leaves a lot of time alone. To be honest, I'm not so unhappy with how our school is managing the hybrid solution to classes right now because I have the presence, even if not the attention, of others in my house.

I never imagined I would be a stay at home mom. I didn't grow up with a traditional idea of marriage -- a father who traveled often when I was young and a divorce when I was 8. I didn't see the daily coming and going of married people.

My mom probably never imagined a stay at home life either. While my parents were married, they moved often and she would take courses at whichever university was close by. She was independent in that my dad was gone much of the time and she figured out the household stuff on her own.

Unlike my mother, and my parent's divorce, I am very fortunate to be in a stable home. My husband works very hard. I used to work very hard too and I loved my job.

We all manage and adjust to changes in life. I am grateful that given my husband's rigorous career, that I am fully available on the home front to help our three girls get through each day. It doesn't necessarily mean I'm domestic, by any means. I keep things clean, I love being in the garage with tools and try to manage any project I can on my own. When it comes to dinner, however -- that is when I have to step up and I don't always enjoy that. I don't mind cleaning, but given that I was raised in a Western Michigan Dutch home and my mom was working full time and raising my brother and me, cooking was never her strong suit. Overcooked everything and her idea of spice was salt and pepper. We so loved breakfast night. I still kind of overcook things -- more so because I have five things happening at once and try to manage a shower all while making a family dinner -- but we eat home cooked meals more than take out, so I feel decent about that.

Yet, tackling cooking is not my idea of fulfillment at all. I used to paint. I seriously have no true artistic style by any means and zero training, but I do like things to be interesting and quirky. I like to put together the randomness that I see in the world and keep it light.

These little pieces are inspired by a random fabric I purchased off a sale rack and started making collages with existing half painted canvases I had in the house. Repurposing.

I hope all is well in your lives. Strange times, indeed.