This painting is the most figurative of my recent works. It is fuelled by my being more open and explicit about my past and its legacy. I still wish to leave the viewer with ‘room’ for alternate interpretations.
What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?
A secret skill or ability I have or wish to have…🤔
Well, if I were to tell you my secret skill or ability it wouldn’t be a secret anymore – now would it 🤷♀️
I would love the ability to call out a liar. I’m too trusting (even though I’ve spent a lifetime surrounded by liars) and give the benefit of doubt too readily.
What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?
Strategies I use to cope with negative feelings…
Ooh, I use different strategies – dependant on what and how severe my negative feelings are.
The majority of the time I get my paint brushes out and express my feelings on the canvas. I also write in my journal, splurge all my thoughts and negative feelings on the page.
I occasionally chat with my friends…
More recently, I have expressed my feelings through tears, floods of persistent tears – what a release!!!💧
In the warmer months I will go into my garden and potter around. At other times I go on a cleaning spree in my home, scrubbing and polishing already clean surfaces.
I do, at times sit quietly and have a little chat with myself. Put things into perspective…it’s not all that bad – surely?
I can’t say I lose myself in any activity. The activities where I get totally absorbed has to be painting and gardening. I also love a bit of construction and DIY.
Art materials are not cheap. If I had the funds, I would spend a whole day in an art materials store. I would buy a variety of brushes in all shapes, materials and sizes. I would wander along taking in all the vibrant, richly pigmented paint and pastel colours. I would purchase rolls of fine canvas and handmade watercolour paper. What a dream… 🎨🖌️🖼️👩🏻🎨
Secondly, I would go on a ‘power tool’ shopping spree – I just love them!
Finally, a lady never has too many pairs of shoes! 🥿👠🥾👢👡💃
You’re writing your autobiography. What’s your opening sentence?
Opening Lines of My Autobiography
If I were to write my autobiography, my first sentence would be…
I had always planned to attend my father’s funeral when he dies. I knew I wouldn’t be invited but I had every intention to attend. He died in November 2011 of esophageal cancer.
Describe the most ambitious DIY project you’ve ever taken on.
My most ambitious DIY project has to be my garden structure. I knew nothing about woodwork, joints, suitable materials etc. but hey ho… I enjoy a challenge. 🤪
Initially, I just wanted a cover for my inflatable hot tub. I built a wooden frame. I placed a canvas roof on top, which I already had from an old metal gazebo I once had. Great…but then I decided to lay decking for my hot tub to sit on.
Perfect…it looked pretty and done the job. Until the canvas roof collapsed in high winds. Hence, I decided to construct a roof. Yes, I could have put a sloping roof on, but no, I wanted an apex roof.
Spending many hours researching different roof types, angles, shapes, materials, and so forth. I painstakingly constructed my little garden sanctuary. ‘Sara’s Schloss’