Tuesday, May 19, 2009

More Progress

I'm 17 weeks pregnant tomorrow, and I'm torn between thinking this morning (all day) sickness is going to go away any day now, and being resigned to the fact that it might stick around for 23 more weeks.

I'm terrified that the latter is the case, to be completely honest. I have a new gallery to supply with paintings and a show to prepare for in August, and while I have a head start on both, I'm still panicked about how I'm going to get things done. I'm at a place where I'm determined to squeeze in easel time where I can, even if it means only painting for an hour or two at a time.

So, anyhow, I felt like crud today but managed to get a couple of hours of painting in, and got the rest of this 16x20" painting blocked in. I'm not expecting a masterpiece here - just trying to get back in the groove with a paintbrush!


It needs some work, especially in the foreground trees and bushes, but it's a covered panel and that's great compared to the nothing that I've been doing! Sorry for the glare - I was having fits trying to get a decent photo of this one since it's still wet. Once I finish it and get a better photo, I'll re-post it.

So, baby steps - I'm hoping 2 hours can turn into 4 hours next time and a full day eventually. I don't feel like myself when I'm not painting, and that's motivation enough to get to work.

9 comments:

  1. Hang in there Stacey. Your work looks great so far.

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  2. Stacey, I have often told you that you inspire me. I am in awe of your work, and your work ethic. I will try never again to complain about my circumstances holding me back. Physical conditions can be so much more of an obstacle than juggling time.

    Congrats on the new gallery and the show. And extra kudos for getting back to the easel. The results are looking really good.

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  3. Stacey, Love you work.
    Now for the important stuff. I don't know if it will work, but one thing that a friend told me to do when I suffered with morning sickness was:
    1. Have your husband leave you some 7up and some saltine crackers by your bed in the morning. Before you get up sip a little and eat a cracker.
    2. Make sure you get up at the same time preferably early every morning.
    3. Immediately when you get up go and take a nice cool shower. Not too hot and not too cold. Then keep eating a saltine and sip the 7up. This really worked for me. I still had some sickness but not as bad. I guess the 7up and the saltines did something to ease the symptoms but I think what worked best was getting up at the same time every morning and the cool shower. I hope this works. I was sick periodically through my whole pregnancy but these tips helped me out tremendously. Good Luck P.S. Cool wet Rags. (Put some in the freezer and keep them handy)

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  4. oh you poor thing, i was thinking you should be over it by now, but i guess not. i admire you for pushing through though. i couldn't do it. i didn't paint my entire pregnancy, made me too ill. just take it easy and paint when you can.

    sometimes it's ok not to put so much pressure on yourself. after all, you are growing a little person in your belly, that's a hard job.

    :) i'm sending you go away 24 hour sickness vibes.

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  5. Trish - thanks! I'm trying to hang in there, but it's getting old =)

    Mike - thanks for the kind words. I keep telling Nate that I feel like I should be able to work through this - that if I "will" myself to feel better, I'll be able to get stuff done. Unfortunately that's not working!! It's tough to not be in control.

    Sharlette - thanks for the suggestions! The last time I was pregnant, I would have 7up and goldfish crackers before getting out of bed, and I was fine. This time around, it's lasting ALL DAY, no matter what (I think I've tried every remedy my midwife has suggested)!

    Christine - I'm trying not to pressure myself too much, and telling myself my main job right now is to just be a good mom! I'm actually viewing the economy as a blessing right now - although things are selling, I don't have galleries breathing down my neck for new work like they were a year or so ago, so I'm able to take some time off without stressing too much.

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  6. Hope you feel better soon, Stacey. I'll keep you in my prayers.

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  7. Ugh! Oh Stacey, I'm so sorry it's hanging on. we'll just pray it gets better. Let me know if you're down this way, I'd love to hang out again!

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  8. My all-strawberry ice cream diet bred a perfectly healthy Pooker. Try the saltines and diet ginger ale in the a.m. and some ice cream when you're up and around.

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  9. ...you'd never know from the look of it that you weren't feeling great when you painted it.

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