The rough and the smooth

It’s bug city round here. Our home must have been put on the bug hotel map cos them little viruses just keep on coming. I have tried not to whinge on here about the amount of bugs we are getting but seeing as, right now, I am in bed instead of in my studio, I think I can justify a little moan?
Since January, I kid you not, we have had a bug a week. Just when one is over another strikes. The week before last was nasty colds, last week both kids got Mr Norovirus on his yearly visit (he was early this year – normally he comes on Neil’s birthday. I know this because for 3 years in a row, poor Neil has been showered in vomit on his special day). On Friday I got sinusitis again – 2 days of horrible stinging pain. It must now be over I thought? Oh no – last night, stomach cramps – all night. This morning, a little girl waking us up at 5.30am because she has another cold. So here I am, in bed when I want to be in the studio making that cheeky rooster come to life (good mosaic day yesterday and his character is emerging). Here’s a peek…
Parent’s out there, please tell me, is this level of bug activity in our family normal? We dose up with vitamins, we eat well, we exercise (ehm…I have a 10K run to do on Sunday and I have not been able to do any training since last weds. Spare a thought as I run and do pop some money into the sponsor pot if you can – read about it here).
Is it to do with living in an urban setting? Should I move to the country to escape this assault of the bugs? As the saying goes, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired…
Whinge over. Let me finish on a creative note – a little idea for an art activity for you!
Last Autumn I did a unit of an art diploma course to try and get some ‘formal’ learning on design principles. I wasn’t very enamoured with the course – no energy or enthusiam from the teachers, hardly any feedback. Ho hum. But I did have fun doing this study on texture and line. These collages – one using lines and the other curves as the basis for the composition – involved photocopying random objects from round the house with different textures. It was hilarious and made for a great guessing game with the kids (what’s this a copy of? No, not a cat, it mummy’s fluffy cushion!). Bubble wrap, bath mats, hairbrushes, vacuum cleaner hose, crochet doilies…they all got shoved onto our cheap copier printer, then cut up and glued down used to create the two images of urban and rural landscapes.
 
Great project. Give it a go  – for yourself, with the kids – it is surprisingly fun…

6 Responses to “The rough and the smooth”

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  1. Crystal Jigsaw says:

    I would say that amount of bugs is normal, especially for school age children, bugs being passed around the classroom. Do hope it clears up soon and you can all enjoy the rest of the year bug free.

    Love your pictures, you are very talented.

    CJ xx

  2. Rachel Nixon says:

    Hi Concetta….hope your bug-festival comes to an end soon!

    Lovely blog, I'm going through a similar creative journey myself 🙂 I blog too, but not directly about this, or not yet anyway!

    Just to say, I was in Amelia's car this morning and she showed me the books you'd lent her & told me about you,so I thought I'd come over and say Hi (I live locally too)

    Rachelx

  3. Em says:

    Hi Concetta,
    Yes there are loads of horrible bugs about at the moment,since December my entire family has suffered what is commonly called 'Winter Vomiting Bug' no less than 3 times..the first bout of this was christmas week..and the definite low point of christmas for me was cleaning sick up at 5am christmas morning!
    But hey ho spring is on its way (I hope!) and hopefully that will be the end of all the coughs colds and bugs!!
    Hope everyone is well again soon.
    Em xx

  4. jacqueline says:

    Dear Concetta, so sorry to hear that you and your family are sick. I hope all of you feel better soon! I really enjoy your cozy bubble space and your gorgeous art! Loving that cute rooster. Hope you are having a good week so far. Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!

  5. Dana Barbieri says:

    I do hope you are all on the mend soon. I know it can be hard when you are all sick so much! I am sure you will be over it soon as the seasons change. Your rooster is coming out great and your collages are very neat!

  6. Kate England | Marmalade Moon says:

    New spring time banner, eh? Love it! It's so dynamic and I love the colours too!

    Sorry to hear that you've all been sick a lot, I know it's really draining, even if it's "only" colds and the flu…

    I enjoy reading about your creative endeavors, the class seems like a huge success (congratulations), and this art activity so inspiring! I think we're all a little run down this time of year, and in need of some refueling. Soon summer! 🙂