Home Base

Writing is a hobby with me... and I find that the more involved with a subject, the more fun I have writing about it.... This column was one of the first that I had been given an "assignment". This assignment was to write about "Fredericksburg Architechture". I happen to know that the architecture in this town is fantastic. all of the elaborate detail that is in the trim work of the the Civil War era buildings is beautiful and frequently the subject of my paintings. ... But incoroporating that into the overall subject matter of my regular column, not so easy. So, in my preferred method of 'doing it my way'... I took a different tact and tried to tie architecture to some of my other hobbies... I hope you enjoy, Dave ***************************************************************************************** “Fredericksburg Architecture”. Using some free association, the subject made me think about the economic issues that the housing market helped create, which in turn makes me think about some recent decisions I’ve made regarding my own home. First you should know that I'm in a home that is way too big for me. I had been considering a move to a smaller place, but with this economic mess, I cannot. Facing facts, with the falling home prices I'm going to have to wait things out in order for there to be any good come of this. The decision I’ve made is to actually live in the space that I heat. No, this doesn’t mean that I close doors and vents in rooms that I'm not using; it means that I am spreading out. I'm making better use of the space I have and focusing on what is important to me. In some cases, that translates to separating my toys and gadgets. As an example, I’ve separated the Audio / Visual components into two separate rooms. With the help of Raven Hi-Fi, I have set up a music listening room on the main floor where I spend most of my time. Their custom approach in matching the room with the right components allow me to get three times the enjoyment out of the room, using music that I already owned. The older yet functioning surround sound system and television, along with the large furniture that houses it was moved to the basement. Movies and ball games are focus of this area of that are and it seemed to fit so much better. Also in the basement I have set up some space for my guitars and PA system. It’s a small stage like space for me to practice and to fantasize about performing in a large venue with crowds cheering. Mostly though, my son and I ‘plug in’ and play music together. Upstairs, I have chosen the sunniest room in the house to use as a studio for my painting. Past projects hang on the walls along with current works in various states of completion. The photos from which the pieces originated and some enlarged prints hang close by. They make excellent reminders of the creative process, and how much enjoyment I get from capturing the subject of a painting in a single image and then translating that onto the canvas. Tubes of paint, brushes and various paint spatulas are strewn across the workspace in close proximity to the project that they were last used. Although not completely disorderly, too many rules or an overly organized approach would ruin the feeling of creativity this room needs. It is the garage that I would miss the most if I were to move. It would be no problem to find living space for my dog and I, but the toys... Where would I store the toys?? With the exception of the motorcycle which holds court in the center of this two ‘car’ space, my garage does not house my vehicles. The walls are lined with paint ball equipment, snowboards and other gear like my mountain bike. As I open the door, my back pack calls me back to the trail and the kayaks remind me of last July’s adventure on the Rappahannock. Looking at the gear also provides some anticipation of the year to come. In writing this, I realize that my home has become a base of operations that is suited just to me and that it may not be too big after all. In fact, with a few more hobbies and I may need t o consider upsizing.