I THOUGHT I COULD (PART 2)...

(PART ONE, I THINK I CAN, CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE)

 A couple of posts ago I shared some thoughts on The Little Engine that Could as a metaphor for reaching our dreams and goals.  I have been living proof of these very words shared in part one:

 "Sometimes it takes much longer than we think it should. (to reach our goals or dreams)  Our progress is impeded in some way, (like a slightly freak accident that leaves one with a mild concussion) there are interruptions in our daily lives (like our entire family sharing the flu, I am the last one standing) and schedules that hinder progress (I have been cooking and delivering meals to the other sickies, I drop off at garage doors, text, and take off)..."  And, despite all this, in the back of  my frustrated mind I still chant, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...get this desk done!"

 (Before: Desk and Iron Bench)

Persistence, tenacity, and grit have kept me going up the grade just like that little engine.  The very last piece of studio furniture is all but complete and installed.  There are two small parts missing and as soon as Handy Hubby recovers from the flu he will finish the job but these two minor items do not hinder the use of the new piece.

(Primer and a fresh coat of white paint to the desk base)

(Gel Medium transfers of printed numbers to the drawers, a little sanding to age them out just a bit, then topped off with a non-yellowing sealer.)

Between progress impediments I have started some new art pieces, one of which I sat for hours in this very spot yesterday creating.  More new ideas are bubbling in the background with this physical representation of reaching a goal spurring me on.

 (Desk top and side pullouts covered in a fresh new pale gray laminate called Fog.  Vintage office chair filched from my writing cottage)

Like the little engine I have reached the top of a steep grade and I am sliding down the other side congratulating myself with, "I thought I could!  I thought I could!  I thought I could!"  It took much longer than I ever imagined, progress was impeded, many interruptions to my daily life were present, and schedule changes hindered my ability to accomplish what I set out to do, even so, I did eventually complete it and it turned out better than I thought I would.

 (Interior drawers were all scrubbed clean, stained bottoms covered in decoupage dictionary pages)

(An extra laminated shelf added underneath for storing my super cool old school light box)

 

(My favorite drawer!  I used two old shadow boxes, cutting one section off of one to be able to reposition it to fill the drawer with small dividers.  I popped off the backs and papered them with old dictionary pages, spray painted the frames black, reassembled and filled the drawer with them.  I have a collection of found nature objects stored here for the moment.)

(The rusted out bench legs were cut off and feet re-welded by my Handy Hubby.  Bracing was removed, more bracing added for the painted out recycled shelving.  I had the paint mixed to match the laminate.  As soon as Handy Hubby recovers he will put the front brace under the top shelf, it is just kind of sitting there waiting to be attached properly.  I papered the underside of the large shelf with Anaglypta wallpaper and painted it out.  I will add some task lighting to the underside of the shelf.)

 

(The bench acts as a storage or supply hutch that does not block the light from the window)

 

(I added vintage drawer pulls to the frame work on each side and placed an altered curtain rod across each to hold supplies.  I staged it with tape rolls but I am not sure that is what will actually go here.  I have not had time to load out the desk yet)

 

(I used the back portion to attach recycled decorated tin cans for supply storage, the idea being that nothing would actually sit on the desk surface allowing for easy supply access and a large open workspace, altered cans can be viewed up close HERE)

Edit Added:  I added a small white shelf to the blank center of the back of the desk, perfect!

 I hope that you too are chugging along to reach those goals and long sought after dreams despite whatever it is that might slow you down, I think you can too!

I am linking to Miss Mustard Seed's ...

 

P.S.  Pinkie swear this is the last studio post for a while, next post some new artwork to share!!!