You are probably thinking…well duh…art is art and of course their are similarities. But, as I take a break from painting my guest room (by myself-what was I thinking?) it occurred to me how much painting a room, or other home projects, can be like creating poetry.

First, there is that moment of inspiration. You thought of an image, a line or something that made you want to create a poem (although mine have been severely lacking lately). That is probably the best moment. Same thing with a home project. I’ve been in my home for 7 years and just now getting around to painting the guest room. Inspiration equals excitement.

Then there is the planning stage. For my paint job that was going through colors and seeing what supplies I had and/or needed to buy. With a poem, or at least for my creation process, that is getting those lines down onto paper before I forget them.

Next is the actual work. Early on it still seems ok, the taping of the room, the stirring of the paint, but at some point during the painting process I wonder –why did I want to do this again–? At some point it takes everything you have just to finish the project. That’s how I feel during my first revision of a poem. What was I writing? HOw can i make this work?

I’m not to the point of this painting project (I still have to do the second coat, during the first coat the handle on my roller broke, hanging there like a dangling participle) where I can start pulling up the tape and appreciating and/or being horrified at what I have done but I have been there before with a room project and with a poem. Just when you think you are finished with both you see the drips, the tiny bit of yellow that got onto the carpet, the ending that is just too cliche.

Have a good weekend everyone Maybe I’ll put a picture up of the room when it is dry. That is, if I can still walk