This morning as I pulled on (yet again) my painting pants and put on (yet again) a painting shirt, I decided that painting is a lot like knitting. Margene is always encouraging to enjoy the process. Enjoy. The. Process. So I'm trying.
The way I figure it, before you start to paint a room or knit a sweater there's a level of excitement. What will it look like? How will the colours change in the light? How will you feel when you're all finished and can proudly show off your achievement? You set aside some time and mentally look forward to the task ahead. You get out all the tools to start and lay them out neatly. You prepare, breathe and then you cast on and start your gauge swatch start cutting in the primer. This always takes longer than you think. You knit and knit paint and paint and then the first day is done and you feel like you have nothing to show for it. Nothing except a little square piece of fabric that only hints at the sweater ahead or a room that is thinly veiled white and only showing a sparkle of change.
Day two is always better. The gauge swatch primer is done, and you can finally start a sleeve start painting with the actual colour. You'll breeze through that first section and then before you know it you're working up the body walls. You'll move along happily and then it will happen, you'll start thinking about the finished product and how happy you'll be when you're finished. Except you're not close to being finished, nooooooo...you've got miles and miles of stockinette rolling left.
This is where I am today. Every time I roll more paint onto the wall I'm going to remember to enjoy the process.
Enjoy the process.
Enjoy the process.
Enjoy the process.
Is it painted yet?
If nothing else, enjoy the fumes. :)
Posted by: Kelli | January 31, 2006 at 10:56
i couldn't agree more with this analogy. we're going through the same thing here at our house.
as for your walls -- they look really nice and smooth! after reading all the effort you had to put into them i'm impressed they look as good as they do.
Posted by: jody | January 31, 2006 at 12:02
Ahh what a change from your first pic! It's going to be great, you'll be glad you did all that work later on.
Posted by: Claire | January 31, 2006 at 16:19
I think it looks great- I know it's frustrating to put all of the work into it, and to still not be finished, but I can't wait to see the next phase, Caro!
Posted by: Cathi | January 31, 2006 at 16:51
That's miles better than the first photo. if I lived near you, I'd totally help out. It'll be worth it! Don't worry!!
Posted by: Julia | January 31, 2006 at 18:36
I like painting, I'd like it more if *I* got a new kitchen after the process.
Posted by: melmel | January 31, 2006 at 21:06
looks good so far- I don't like to paint becuase hubby and I have "different painting methods" He gobs on the paint and rolls for hours- I lightly coat and keep going back to the tray... it is an endless battle of technique- but in the end the walls are painted tada! there is a new kitchen.
open some windows-those fumes might get to your head- keep your knitting close at hand incase they do- you never know what you might dream up when you are full of paint fumes. hee hee
can't wait to see the color~(are you doing a color?)
Posted by: NessieNoodle | February 02, 2006 at 12:46
That's a good mantra to remember when painting. It is SUCH a tedious process. However, I am sort of enjoying it. Sadly though, we're just painting cabinet doors and, let me tell you, it pretty much blows. I can only paint a few at a time and then flip them over to paint the bottoms. It's slow going. And like Nessie said, hubby and I have "different painting methods" and he's decided that I now do all the painting due to our final results. Honestly, I'll just be glad when it's all done and I can rehang the cabinet doors. I've never seen so many dishes in all my life!
It's looking awesome -- can't wait to see the final product -- and see you at your fully functional sink. It's a glorious day, I assure you.
Posted by: FinnyKnits | February 02, 2006 at 20:34