I thought I'd post a couple of photos of my studio. My sons helped me build it. We started on April 1st, 2004 and I told everyone I'd have it done by September. I had never built anything before, so when September rolled around and it was still in the beginning stages, I reminded everyone that I hadn't said which September! It was finished on April 1, 2007. It was a lot of work but it gives me so much pleasure. I am so thankful to my sons, David and Dan and the long list of relatives and friends who gave their time and energy to bring my dream to reality.
The little white, lacy Victorian iron bench on the front porch makes me smile every time I walk past it. It was worth every dollar I was so reluctant to spend on something so non-essential. I've received $100 worth of pleasure for every penny spent. A lesson well learned — sometimes the value received is more than the dollar amount spent!
My 'viewing' rocker in front of the window seat.
I spend time gazing at my paintings from here. "Does it need more work or have I gone too far?" is my eternal question. I'll post my easel and painting set up later.
The Artist's magazine, October 2005 issue opened to H.C. Dodd's article, "Better Late Than Never."
On the counter between the french door and the English birdhouse is the October 2005, The Artist's magazine opened to an article about H.C. Dodd. The article is titled "Better Late Than Never." Dodd began painting when she was 67 years old and within a few years was teaching and winning top awards in national competitions. The day this magazine arrived I had been working on the studio which was only half built. I was really depressed because it was taking a lot longer than I could ever have imagined. And the thought had entered my mind that I was pretty close to retirement and "just what had I been thinking, to take on such a big project at that point in my life?!" I decided to walk to the mail box to calm down a bit and when I pulled out the magazine, it fell open to the page with the words, "Better Late Than Never." The letters were an inch tall and spread across two pages — It was like someone was shouting at me. I felt I had been give a loud message from God! I have never questioned my decision since that moment.
I hope you've enjoyed seeing my creation. I'll post again soon.
