Sunday in the Studio

It's 2 PM and I am finally out in the studio working on my latest couple of paintings. I tried and tried and tried to get out here yesterday - but nope. I LOVE to work out here - but it's a challenge to make the time. When I was finishing my degree - there wasn't a choice. Paint or you don't pass. Now, I have to set my own deadlines and work ethic in the studio.

I am still shooting to apply for my Masters this January. In order to do so, I have to have a "show" of 12-15 cohesive works. As a result, I am noticing that I spend a LOT of time on my work. I think there are about three paintings in each piece. I go over them and over them and add and add and add. I was hoping that I would develop a less "worked" style - but I don't think that's me.

As a kid, I loved Highlights magazine's hidden object drawings. You know, the one where you had to find a frying pan in the tree? (Unless some lame kid in the same doctor's office waiting room didn't circle it first... I digress.) Well, that's kind of like my work. I don't hide objects in there, but story lines.

We'll see what happens. Now I need to get off this computer and get working!

I am a 1/2 cup codependent

Christopher had his lap band surgery almost two weeks ago. (If you want to more about how that works - see his blog link on this site.) Oh my God - I have become such a nag. "Are you chewing your food all the way?" "Did you take your multivitamin?" "Is that a half a cup or 3/4 of a cup?"

CJ's doing great - and goes back to work next week. Here's an excerpt from an e-mail I sent our friend Doug regarding the first few days:

Tuesday 5/20: Seven I.V. attempts before they got the vein. CJ looks like he's been slamming heroin with drinking straws. Operating goes smooth. We have lovely pics of his liver and stomach with new lap band. Nice liver according to the doctor. I wonder where he got it. Spend the night in hospital and watch CJ watch American Idol on pain killers. Suddenly David Archuleta is less annoying to him.

Wed, 5/21: go home (Rob is off all week) CJ sleeps. Drinks broth. Sleeps.

Thurs, 5/22: Rob eats all of CJ's leftover food he can't eat anymore while CJ is sedated. Then, debates getting lap-band, too, if he eats one more thing.

Friday, 5/23: CJ has not moved from the couch in two days except to go to the bathroom. A lot. What goes in - comes out. Very little change in between. CJ starts the get dehydrated.

Sat, 5/24: Repeat Friday 5/23.

Sunday, 5/25: CJ wants to get the hell out of the house. We go to 11 AM AA meeting. CJ sleeps through whole meeting. Decides it's time to go off pain killers.

Monday, 5/26: CJ is now bitchy and wants a steak. He's already lost 12 pounds.

Tuesday, 5/27: Rob comes out from behind the couch (where he eats out-of-sight) and runs to work. CJ tries to go to work and turns around on the way there. Too soon.

Wed, 5/28: CJ is back at home eating bananas and sipping Gatorade to address the dehydration. Now he's hydrated and has a taste for soft foods. It's giddy times when I make him mashed potatoes and canned chicken. You'd think the 1/2 cup he had was Thanksgiving dinner.

Thursday, 5/29: CJ tries work again and has to cut it short. Spirits are high and internal stuff seems to be settling down. Now he's a giant walking bruise with itchy staples. But that will heal.