Art by Marianne Monto

Originally published 4th of February 2023

I’m not a fast painter. I actually take surprisingly long, as part of the process is just to stare at the work and try to figure out what is wrong or what it needs. From outside that looks probably hilarious, since it looks like I try to high five painting (covering parts of it with my hand). Or all the range of emotions (oh, how lovely colour transition, super annoying wrinkle, why is that eye looking wrong?!) that transition across my face. So, getting a piece finished takes time. 

Except this week I have been super productive. I have finished 4 paintings (yes, I have a bad habit to start new ones and not finish old ones), planned for a couple more (well, two), planned content and new techniques to try in Art and Wine. I even updated instagram! So I’m bit perplexed, this isn’t normal for me at all.

On the other hand, my home is a mess, I was working so late on friday that I missed the exhibition opening where I was invited (and really wanted to attend). I haven’t even tried to exercise (if carrying paint supplies does not count) and I think my hair could have used one more wash. My voice is a bit off, so I cannot sing lullabies to kids (I can never sing, but now I can’t even try, as my voice brakes). 

So for tomorrow I have many things to do: shower, clean up, go to see the exhibition with my kid and maybe even top that all with some stretching. Looking at all that, there is a high possibility that I will just order take out for my family and skip cleaning.