Exegesis

To make a long story short, we got new couches.  Which kind of turned into one of those "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" type of stories.  The new couches didn't go with our rug.  So we bought a new rug.  And then some of the artwork and other decorative accessories didn't seem to fit in, etc.

Months ago I was at our local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store and I saw this giant wood board leaning against the building.  It has grooves in it but I don't know what it's original purpose was.  I just knew I liked the look of it and could probably use it to make something cool for our living room.  I asked how much they wanted for it and the volunteer just laughed and said I could have it.  He even loaded it into my van for me.  I cleaned it up and gave it a good sanding and then it sat for months on the back of our couch.  Not hung on the wall...just leaning there while I figured out what to do with it.

I kept seeing water and clouds in the grain of the wood.  Every time I looked at it the lines would jump out at me.  Finally, today I hung the board on the wall and as soon as it was up there inspiration struck.  I pulled out some old chalk pastels and "colored in" the picture I kept seeing in the wood grain.  I followed the lines of the grain and basically scribbled on layers of color.  Finally, I used my hands to smear all the colors together and when I stepped back I breathed a sigh of relief.  It just fits.

I'm not a great photographer and I know it was the wrong time of day to take pictures anyway but I just couldn't wait to show you!

Even the wave was part of the wood grain.  I love all those swirls and squiggles.

 Here, you can see the awesome texture.

 Do you see how the wood grain made clouds?  I just colored them in and suddenly the story in the wood was drawn out.  Exegesis.

It's finally starting to feel like home in here again.  I hope to share more of our living room as we continue to make changes to it.  Of course, you're welcome to come over and see it for yourself, too!