I Should be Painting…
…and finishing my philosophy book, but I’m in interior designer mode, planning my kitchen remodel. It’s kind of fun to be back in the swing, talking designer lingo and drawing elevations for the cabinet guys. Phase two will be to move out and redo the surfaces of the whole condo, then I’m going to do some major improvements to my studio space outside New Orleans. Fifteen years in a condo is a loooong time for wear and tear, but fortunately my choices in 2009 held out nicely until now. It will be a clutter free dream when I’m finished, and if I can stand it, I will post some of the process in socials. I did not include “recovering interior designer” on my X profile for nothing.
I was a high end interior designer for twenty years, first in hotels and then on my own I designed properties from Calabasas to Holmby Hills. The largest residence I ever did was 38,000 square feet, with two satellite cottages on the property that were about 2,000 square feet each. It was a massive undertaking that I installed not once but twice, and some rooms thrice. Two points of pride in my work: I was the one you called when the person published in Architectural Digest bailed, and I am extremely knowledgeable (by LA standards) in period furniture.
After I had my son, I was momming hard as an mommyblogger and only doing design work that fit in the toddler naps, then later all the activities like taekwando and Scouting took my time as well. It became harder and harder to do the work that required I coordinate so many people to install, so in 2019 I decided to move my painting hobby into the front burner.
Since then I’ve completed about forty paintings, not including the teeny tiny ones I make for new collectors. I have a special technique I developed drawing, trimming and painting cotton paper on canvas. I call it Modern Decoupage. I found a gallery in New Orleans that is a great fit for my work. They are wonderful gallerists a curators and now my art has a home.
As all this is shaping up, I am checking the parents’ Facebook group at my boy’s future university to possibly meet folks. A couple of pals to commiserate with will be amazing. I am so excited to start realizing our future. The hubs and I are already talking about all the things we will do as far as empty nesters and it’s a lot. He is a really good photographer and wants to spend more time on that; I want to make art and costumes and do all the shenanigans New Orleans and the Gulf Coast have to offer, like seven hour cocktail lunches and Mardi Gras parades. My glue gun is ready; I’ve just got to get through graduation, the remodel(s), and getting the boy ensconced at school. 💜💛💚
