The Looming Clouds of Overwhelm

What a time. There is so much going on that The Looming Clouds of Overwhelm are deepening and darkening. Suffice to say that, being this close to Christmas, we will not be moving house until the New Year. And then some.

overwhelm    əʊvəˈwɛlm/  verb

1. bury or drown beneath a huge mass of something, especially water.

2. have a strong emotional effect on.

Despite The Machete of Prioritisation cutting through our projects and hobbies some six years ago now (post  early parent-hood), it has further slashed at various commitments and projects over the last few years. Having the Two Little Fellas and Gran is adequate in and of itself to keep yours truly occupied. Some years ago however, I made the decision that even if I passed up some of my hobbies* (just to keep my head above water on a daily basis) that I would at least do ONE piece of art each year for Christmas and to mark  the closing of the year. I decided also that the artwork would be a visual chronicle of the Two Little Fellas growing up over the years.

This year is the eighth work of art I have done and I have to say that the last three pieces have been an absolute struggle to do. There are simply too many other priorities that pile up in the last half of the year. I usually have the concept in my head by mid-year, if not twelve months in advance, but to capture our fast growing young boys at a particular point in time, I really only start to crank things up around October/November.

Not this year.

There has been too much going on with the renovation, school, community, work and preparing to move – whilst stripping away the backlog of material items that surround us. Too frequently now, my days at home turn up and I’m too tired to fully apply myself to anything properly. Not good.

Music!

Music, not art, has always managed to pull me through the tough times. Especially playing guitar and creating my own music, but there has been no time or space for this, so I’ve turned to listening to music – and I’ve hit it like a drug-starved addict recently**. I’ve been listening to a wide range of music that has passed me by the last couple of  years. Actually, as it turns out, according to the publishing dates of some of the music, its been decades. Who would have thought?

So, as The Looming Clouds of Overwhelm gather to hang like dust-covered chandeliers demanding attention and a good dusting off, I have music pouring into the air as I set about ticking things off my Busy List.

Oh, and the artwork? It’s nearly done ( . . . like the house ). So in anticipation of our dear pet Luna the Grey having her next lot of kits within the next week I have a snippet of this years artwork for the sharing. Voici – 

The complete piece itself is a celebration of our house here and the many wonderful years and memories it has given us. In the New Year we will depart for Tillellan so it seemed fitting to feature our petit paradise house as a prominent part of the artwork. I will post a full image when it is completed. Each year is a little different with the artwork style. I have used collage with this years artwork.

• Actually, writing is another hobby which I have clung to by maintaining this blog,  as a matter of therapy really. . . and thankfully, a way that I can capture what is occurring – because sometimes it doesn’t happen verbally! The best way for me to detail my thoughts and experiences is with writing.

    ** Another ‘vice’ to add to the list that I didn’t realise I had. Dark Chocolate, Writing,    Listening to Music. One day I hope to add Sleep to the list. Who would have thought?!