When I first got back from Athens, I admit I fell into a kind of lethargy reserved only for the laziest among us. I spent an entire week doing as little as possible. But then, slowly, I began to get the itch again. The creative itch. Not just to paint, but to make over something useful, to MAKE something. Since the itch struck, I’ve been in and out of the zone, starting 7 projects and almost finishing 4 of them.

Not bad. If I wasn’t going to Athens I’d be doing more, but not much time left. Perhaps I’ll be able to work on a couple more works-in-progress, but doubt I’ll finish anything more till I get back. I will share a bit more on those projects meanwhile however, so stay tuned.

A good friend has been clearing out her house of things she doesn’t need, and I was lucky enough to get these two large trays from her. They’re the kind used in taverna’s here in Greece, the biggest one is quite large, often wielded by muscley-armed waiters, holding lots of dishes at once.

Of course, hers were in almost new raw timber condition. Not an oil stain to be seen on them!

I wanted to make them into something I can sell, something islandy, something people can use but also display in their homes. This is the first tray, the smaller of the two:

I ‘ve never painted the sea before so it was a challenge. I’m still not sure if I like the effect I achieved, but it’s not terrible… However, it did need something more, a focal point, hence the starfish. I like the starfish.

This tray is all acrylic paint, and before its ready to sell, it will have a coat or two of polyurethane to seal it so it can be used as intended.

My second attempt is a mix of acrylic paint and pastels. I wanted this one to be a little more fluid, but again, it needed a focal point, hence the shell. To be honest, I’m much happier with this type of blended colour background. It’s the sort of background I’m comfortable with and use very often in my work, whether its watercolour, acrylic of pastel.

In the close up of the shell, you can see the pastel, though I have worked over it with acrylic paint in places, to give it extra depth.

This will also get a coat of polyurethane to seal it and protect the artwork.

The weather has finally come good again after about 2 weeks of freezing cold winds and rain or hail. It’s great to be able to take Lainee for a walk on the beach without being blasted into the middle of next week.

This is the sea I love… flat as an oil slick. I’m not a wave kinda person. And today the sun feels almost warm enough to swim. If I was braver I probably would… but I’m not that brave.

Instead of swimming I came home and began tidying up in preparation to return to Athens and face the ongoing renovations there. All I can do right now is hope that it’s moving along since I left. I doubt there will be much change except the destruction of the old bathroom, as mom witnessed that in the form of noise that lasted a few days. The bad weather kept the workmen away for at least one whole week.

I’d never have believed it possible, but this is my third renovation in Greece. I’d renovated 3 houses in Australia, now I’m even in Greece. Who knew I’d survive that with my mind intact and only the occasional bout of despair, desperation and hair pulling?

Onwards and forwards we go.

z

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