School’s done forever

Niagara Falls, 12X9, pastel, by Carol L. Douglas.

Niagara Falls, 12X9, pastel, by Carol L. Douglas.

Since I was only taking a small collection of dishes, two bedroom sets, the couch and my studio, I thought I’d over-purchased when I rented a 16’ truck for my move. By the time I realized the error of my ways, it was too late to upgrade. My workshop and finished inventory remain in my garage in Rochester, and I won’t have time to move it until fall.

Turns out the 16’ trailer was a better estimation of my time, however. I unloaded the last box Thursday afternoon, which gave me the evening to mow the lawn, take the trash to the dump and empty the refrigerator prior to leaving again.

It's not perfect, but I can work in it.

It’s not perfect, but I can finally get back to work.

I’m back in New York for my youngest child’s high school graduation. This marks the end of 21 years of having kids in public schools. I found this by far the most difficult part of parenting. It took years for me to reach the understanding that, no, my kids were not ADD, ADHD, autism spectrum, or suffering from anxiety disorders, OCD, or any other diagnosis de jour. They just hated the rigidity of school.

Mohawk Valley nocturne, 12X9, oil pastel on canvasboard, by Carol L. Douglas.

Mohawk Valley nocturne, 12X9, oil pastel on canvasboard, by Carol L. Douglas.

When my third child was in elementary school, she was told to paint a picture of the desert. A swirl of color, it blurred into beiges and muted greens. It caught the energy and movement of a desert landscape perfectly. I was so proud of it. I was less proud when she got her failing grade. She had neglected to paste pictures of desert-dwelling animals all over her painting.

Nunda autumn day, 12X9, pastel, by Carol L. Douglas. New York is a beautiful state.

Nunda autumn day, 12X9, pastel, by Carol L. Douglas.

I particularly loathed team meetings where all of my kids’ teachers would be ringed around a table, telling me what was wrong with my child. They never failed to make me cry. The good news is, despite their teachers’ dire predictions, the older three are doing quite well. I anticipate the same outcome for the youngest. I may be bittersweet about leaving friends and neighbors behind, but my kids’ school? I can’t say I’ll miss it at all.

Let me know if you’re interested in painting with me on the Schoodic Peninsula in beautiful Acadia National Park in August 2015. Click here for more information on my Maine workshops! Download a brochure here.

Carol Douglas

About Carol Douglas

Carol L. Douglas is a painter who lives, works and teaches in Rockport, ME. Her annual workshop will again be held on the Schoodic Peninsula in beautiful Acadia National Park, from August 6-11, 2017. Visit www.watch-me-paint.com/ for more information.