Friday, September 27, 2013

DREADING THE PAINT

I dread painting. Not the kind of painting that is water-based pigment applied to a fine piece of watercolor paper. NO.  I dread painting things like the interior walls of our home.  Little projects like a touch-up of the wood around the windows where (ahem) someone put some flower pots and then over-watered the plants so the shelf got all wet and the paint blistered and peeled. Yeah, that kind of undertaking.

It’s a cardinal rule that no job to fix up things in a house can be done without initiating a domino effect resulting in big expenditures, several shopping trips, exasperation and frustration.

This little project was on the list all summer since the paint would be the stinky oil-based kind that really requires plenty of ventilation.  Head rushes and dizzy spells just aren’t as fun as they used to be.

Summer is over.  No more procrastination.  A shopping trip to the paint store followed a couple of domestic discussions and said paint and supplies were purchased. 

Then there was the removing of curtains and blinds, the relocation of all furniture in the way, the covering of the floor with newspaper, the changing into ugly clothes, the sanding down of the woodwork, etc. etc.

Because the old paint had peeled all the way down to bare wood on the window ledges we decided to put down a couple of extra coats.  So the project dragged on for several days while we wandered around the kitchen in the evening with no curtains to hide us from our neighbors.  Also I decided to put a fresh coat of paint on a stool and a little table which were the same color.

When the paint was finally all applied and sort of dry there came another tripping of dominoes.  Curtain rods and curtains were grubby and gross and had to be scrubbed and washed.  Then I lost some of the little metal hooks that held the curtains to the rings.  Safety pins work just as well.  We turned a blind eye to the dust on the blinds and put things back together.

There was the cleanup and the pulling of blue tape.

The tape became a temporary art installation I titled.  “Dreads.”


Notice the use of synthetic materials arranged in a ragged and complex form evocative of a reggae hairstyle.  The interactive adhesive quality of the tape and semi-dry paint resulted in a sensory experience of tackiness plus dissolution of the line between art and life.   There was also the conflict of the pleasure of a completed project and the inner need to finalize cleanup.  Criticism and a lack of sympathetic involvement shortened the display engagement.

11 comments:

TALON said...

I'm laughing at the tape - it does look like a sculpture. I don't mind painting...and it's a good thing because I like to change things up (too much, my hubby says). It's a pain, but I love when it's all fresh and new and the color changes the tone and mood. I love the color you chose, Leenie. It looks so fresh!

Birdie said...

You could take the tape to an art museum!

Anonymous said...

And another project is successfully completed....photo gallery before and after shots included. Now don't you feel good?

Carla said...

I understand the domino effect---it happens with nearly everything I do that has to do with the house. I like your "domestic discussion" as well. Most big chores (like painting) don't get done at all because of "domestic disagreement" on things like color, finish, etc.
I really, really love your last photo and description. Dreads is perfect is so many ways. I think you should keep it!!!

Joanne Noragon said...

I believe some clear acrylic spray is in order to protect the sculpture from dust. Easy clean under a faucet.

RURAL said...

Oh my, now that does look like a installation from the big city art gallery, the one they paid over a million dollars to acquire. Are you masquerading as a blogger, but really a famous artist?

Jen

Linda Sue said...

I am certain that your painting jobs are a no drip, no mess perfect in every way event! I feel your pain, sister...the prep is the worst part! If I paint one room the others look dismal...It's a constant nagging job if there is more than one room in the house.Like the painting of the golden gate bridge- once they are finished and to the other side it is time to begin at the beginning again. I am liking my old eyes and slack expectations as age creeps up- less attention to detail...

Anonymous said...

Speaking of the domino effect, I once gave a friend a large art print which had a white background. When she hung it, it made her white wall look dirty. Her husband repainted the wall. The other walls in the room no longer matched. Her husband painted them. The rest of her apartment was next!!

Sarah said...

The part about the multiple trips to the shop is so true! I spent a fortune and far too much time on my boxing in project in the bathroom. I was going to gloss paint the rest of the boxing in in there this weekend but decided I did not have time. I unwisely used fast drying gloss instead of the tedious 24 hour stuff and it is useless. Stains and does not resist the least bit of water. Shortcuts never pay!

Val said...

I love the Dreads. I find it soothing to look at. As though I've just completed a paint job, and can rest on my laurels.

Terry and Linda said...

I love to paint...inside walls, trim and such, outside the whole house, outbuildings and fences, I even like to paint the lawn furniture.

What I wish I could do is be an artist like you...now that would be TRUE wonder painting!

Linda
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