Spring is springing, the days are flying, and it's time for me to dust off my LMLD keyboard a bit to check back in here – I know it's been a long, quiet while for me!
A lot has been happening with our little family! Which is why, in part, it's been hard for me to find the time to contribute.
You may recall, a few years ago, when I shared that The Artist and I had come to the decision that we would leave our dear community in the DC area and leave his job teaching at a great school in order to pursue the dream of full-time, professional artwork. He knew that he wanted further training in order to master his craft, and the man he wanted to study with was in Manchester, NH. That's how we ended up with that whole Chesternest chapter.
Pause for a few before-and-afters from that dear, quirkly little apartment:
Well, we're on the other side of that now. After 3+ years of living in the best neighborhood we'd ever known and experiencing our happiest times as a little family, we decided that The Artist had indeed achieved his goal in his studies and it was time to take the leap.
He worked so hard during those years and I am so proud of him. If you will allow me a moment to honor him: rarely will you find a young man who is artistically inclined apply himself with so much focus and discipline to a craft.
Art is not about emoting on canvas and it's not about self-discovery (although emotional expression and understanding of self can certainly be part of and result from good art!); to study art seriously is to be dedicated to enduring principles and meet the demands of objective standards. Pursuing art ought not be selfish; the Artist has been given a gift and he believes in working hard to put that gift at the service of others by communicating beauty.
He put in 8-10+ hour days through most of the year, often traveling on foot or bike to the studio (so that I could have the shared car at home) in all kinds of New England weather, and taking up various freelance work on the nights and weekends and over the summers.
He put in months of work on individual paintings so that he could totally integrate all the feedback from his master (which was generally received on a weekly basis), who was very encouraging when he saw how rapidly The Artist advanced and how deeply he grasped the concepts and the technique.
It was a slog at times, and it sometimes felt like we were crazy (maybe at times you've thought so, too!), but it was time well-spent. And now it's time to put the practice into practice!
So we looked around for our next move and how to go about launching him as a professional artist. After discussions with my parents, we decided that we would move here to the LMLD homestead and take up the third floor “apartment” (now dubbed The Snuggery) and do the four-generations-under-one-roof thing.
My parents have been very gracious and accommodating in letting us disrupt their erstwhile quiet lifestyle with a group of noisy littles and our own comings and goings. We all, and especially the kids, are loving being so close (couldn't be closer, really!) to extended family. The decision was ratified when we also landed on a perfect space for The Artist's studio right here in town, an easy mile commute for him! He is taking on commissioned work (portraits, custom still life, what have you) as well as working on his own project of The Faces of New England.
If you're interested in following along with The Artist's endeavors (which are also mine, of course, not only because I'm his wife and have always collaborated closely on and discussed all his work with him, but also because I've taken on the role of his manager and am handling the business end of things for now), you can browse his website. Better yet, you can take 3 seconds and sign up for the occasional newsletter I'll be sending out (about to launch!) by clicking here. Also follow him on Instagram! He's been posting “process” pictures — they are fascinating!
So! There's been that. We moved back to my old home just in time for Easter. A lot of shifts and settling, farewells and greetings.
But there's more.
If you haven't already heard from my Instagram… I bet you can guess.
Baby “Quillabee” is expected mid-late(ish) September. Finnabee is hoping fervently for a little sister (and I would love that for her too, as well as to be able to pull out all the sweet little girl dresses that have been sitting in storage for years now!). Peabodee is pulling for a little brother and is feeling certain about his odds. When they argue about which it will be, I say, “well, we'll have to find out! One of you is right!” To which Peabodee replies, confidently: “I am.”
Chickapea, having just recently passed his first birthday, is clueless as to the developments but I'm sure will be fascinated and delighted with (and hopefully won't accidentally crush) whomever comes along. This has definitely been my fastest pregnancy and I can barely remember it's happening, I have so many things on my mind.
The other night my friend asked me to remind her when the baby is coming and, for a split second, my internal reaction was “what baby?” But with each day, as I get bigger and bigger and the baby gets squirmier and stronger, it sinks in a bit more and we get a bit more excited and aware of how much we're blessed.
And before I know it we'll be halfway through the year! So much to get to and so much to prepare for!
Thanks for reading along!
Emily says
You are such a gorgeous pregnant lady! I mean not that you’re not gorgeous all the time….. 🙂
When my mom was pregnant with my sister, she was sure it was a boy, and my brother and I were sure it was a girl. We were right, but it’s so fun to have that expectation!
Deirdre says
Aw, thanks, Emily! Yes, it is such a fun surprise to look forward to and wonder about!
Debbie says
Deirdre, that portrait of Evangeline on John’s website is exquisite!
Deirdre says
Thank you! Yes, I love it so much!
Amy says
So happy for your family! I would love to hear about how your family and your parents do life together (shared dinners? etc.) as time goes on.
Deirdre says
Thank you! Yes, we’re gradually falling into a routine and I’m sure will be making adjustments as we go!
Serena says
Congratulations on #4!!! And thank you for sharing your beautiful family photos with us. Excited for the new endeavor you are all embarking on!
Deirdre says
Thank you!
Lisa G. says
Your previous place was so nicely decorated – I’m glad you shared pictures! Your husband’s work is wonderful, especially the portraits. I wish him success.
Deirdre says
Thank you! I had fun putting it together (totally on a shoestring, of course! I had good luck thrifting/curbside shopping in Manchester)!
And I agree about John’s work. 🙂 Thanks!
Anel says
God bless you, Deirdre!
Deirdre says
Thank you!
Katherine Lauer says
I love reading about the union of your marriage, the joint sacrifices, the commitments, the shared vision. It is so beautiful and you are an inspiration.
Deirdre says
Aw, thank you! I hope we live up to it!
Terri says
Congratulations! What a beautiful, beautiful family you are. Thanks for sharing all the good news.
Deirdre says
Thank you, Terri!
James Anderson says
God bless you, your family, and Grandma and Grandpa.
Deirdre says
Thank you!
Dixie says
Congratulations, Deirdre!!
Deirdre says
Thanks!
Joy in Alabama says
Congratulations! You have a beautiful family! And it’s nice you have all the help of family right now. You are blessed and they are blessed to have you!
Deirdre says
We are very blessed with the help, for sure! And I’m sure it will count even more when #4 arrives!
Catherine says
Congrats, John and Deirdre, on both new endeavors!
Has John ever thought of making a children’s coloring book? I remember you showing a page he had made for your kids, and I would love to support him (in a small way) and have beautiful coloring pages for my kids and godkids (it’s hard to find a meaningful and useful gift for child #6 sometimes. 😉 )
Just a request from a follow Domer. Way to go, John!
Deirdre says
Thanks, Catherine! It’s definitely an idea I’d love to get to at some point…! I appreciate your supportive wishes!
In the meantime, I am a fan of the work of Daniel Mitsui: http://www.danielmitsui.com/00_pages/free_downloads.html
Gemma says
Yay! A Deidre post! I’ve missed those. What wonderful news on all counts. Congratulations 🙂
Deirdre says
Thanks, Gemma! I’ll keep trying to at least chime in every once in a while!
Maggie Kelly says
Congratulations! Sounds like your family is just thriving. You look so beautiful. Where did you get that colorful dress?
Deirdre says
Aw, thanks so much, Maggie! The photos are several weeks old now so you have to imagine me with a bigger tummy at this point. 🙂 I found that dress through ThredUp when I was expecting my second.
Catie H says
Congratulations, Deirdre!! I’m so happy for you and your family! It’s beautiful and exciting to see the workings of God unfold. God bless you on this next endeavor!
Deirdre says
Thank you, Catie!
Claire says
What an exciting time for your family!
To contribute beauty to this world is a noble and needed endeavor. Congratulations all around, and all the best to you in your new enterprises!
Deirdre says
Thanks so much!
Diana says
Congratulations!! You look lovely!!
Deirdre says
Thank you, Diana!
Jana says
From “The Egg and I” by Betty MacDonald … “My Mother taught my sisters and me that it is a wife’s bounden duty to see that her husband is happy in his work. ‘First make sure your husband is doing the kind of work he enjoys and is best fitted for and then cheerfully accept whatever it entails.'”
It is so good to see you not only supporting, but also joining your own gifts to his, working with him to make something beautiful, in your family and in your work – it’s all of a piece. Godspeed your endeavors.
Deirdre says
What a sweet quotation! Thank you!
Yes, it has been a good direction for us to move in, to be very united in all our work and efforts!
Candice says
Prettiest pregnancy photo of all time! Wouldn’t it look beautiful as a painting hint hint? But I’m sure there is no time for working on family portraits when you’re starting a new business. So maybe at least print it out and frame it? Time flies by and all our electronic photos get left behind.
Congratulations on your new job as business manager – and thank you for the update! xox
Deirdre says
Aw, why thank you! It’s funny because I really didn’t think much of it, except that it was showing off the bump while I was in my Easter dress… but maybe I will try to put it in the “to print” file. 🙂
Jamie Castillo says
You have such a sweet little fam! Congratulations!
Deirdre says
Thank you, Jamie!
Anna says
So exciting! Best of luck to the two of you as you set out on this artistic adventure and congrats on baby #4! We are right behind you with baby #3 in October 🙂
And honestly I’m a bit jealous- having your own place is great but I also think it would be so fun to live with my parents in a big old house for a while. Enjoy!
Deirdre says
Thanks, Anna! Yes, I’m so excited to know that you’re pregnant, too!
Melissa D says
Love hearing such wonderful news, and seeing art and life combine so beautifully. But I really just came here to say that your eyebrows are *on point*, girl. 😀
Deirdre says
Hahaha thank you! A very unexpected and hilarious (but appreciated!) compliment!
Jenny says
Congratulations Deirdre! Such an exciting time for your family! I’m also due in late September. Baby #10 for us! An even split of 5 of each! For us it goes: boy, girl, boy, girl, girl, girl, boy, boy, boy and another girl. So I think your daughter has an excellent chance of gaining a sister! 😊
–Jenny
Deirdre says
Wow – number 10! I guess it is a possibility for us (given our current rate), but it’s hard to actually imagine! 🙂 Congratulations to you!