Every Cloud has a Silver Lining (sometimes even two)

I have been doing a lot of sitting down this week – and no, it’s not because I’m lazy, but for two reasons; because firstly I sprained my ankle and can’t walk and secondly I have been working on three paintings to enter for a competition.
What I have learned from this week is that when competing in the school sports day mum’s race, remember to wear sensible shoes and try not to set off thinking you are 14 and not 44. I set off like a bullet from a gun (ok, maybe not that fast, but as fast as a 44 year-old slightly overweight rather unfit woman, wearing a floral dress, could go) after about 60 metres I went arse-over-tit, rolled and sprang back up to standing, ready to go again, but then as my foot felt like it had turned to rubber and gave way underneath me completely, I realised I had properly sprained my ankle, and I collapsed on the floor in a heap.
I recall, that when the sports day compere was calling the mums up to race, she had said: “Make your children proud of you and join in the race”. So, when I asked my three children, who are all attend the school, if they were embarrassed that their mum had fallen over in front of all their friends and teachers, Leon, my son, said ‘No’. He said: “At first everyone said ‘hey your mum’s fast’ then another kid said ‘she even did two somersaults’!” My seven- year old daughter Frida then added: “Don’t worry mum, at least you’re good at art”, and Lottie, my eldest daughter, said rather thoughtfully: “Whatever you do, I’ll always be proud of you.” Although she later admitted laughing when I fell.
So I guess, I should be really pleased at how my children responded and I guess my husband and I have instilled compassion and empathy in our children. So, every cloud has a silver lining.
I had a deadline looming and wasn’t sure how I would finish my paintings on time, but now that I could do little else but sit, meant I could continue with my artwork. And although I am in a great deal of pain, I guess this is the second reason why this week, I had to admit that every cloud has a silver lining.
The paintings are three market scenes painted in acrylic, all on 40cm x 60cm canvas and all trying to capture the bright and colourful life of East Africa. Two of the three I have already painted before, but in smaller scale and different media.
I thought as I was taking a step-by-step approach to my week, due to my ankle, I would include a step-by-step guide to how I build up my paintings and share this on my blog, via the following slide show.

My paintings step-by-step

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My finished paintings

Dadas at Kivokoni Fish Market

Market scene in Dar Es Salaam

Selling Bananas in Kisii