Yesterday I came to the point where I had to decide between going to my painting class or writing a post. (The weekend was insane. As was yesterday morning, so it was go to class or write.) I don’t often do things that are just for me. I don’t often do things where I’m not the one hosting/teaching/facilitating/in charge/responsible. Well, no more.

I started taking a painting class at the local art center 4 weeks ago and it has been an absolute delight. I’m an oil painter by training, and it’s been forever since I’ve used acrylics. When I was given the chance to learn from a great artist who specializes in drawing (my favorite!) and acrylic painting I jumped all over it. I knew I was overloaded with obligations, but this was so important to me I just couldn’t say no. I figured, “Hey, once a week for a couple hours, for 5 weeks, I can swing that.” So I did!

This was the quick painting sketch I did during the first class.

This one is still in progress, crochet thread is particularly challenging. I love it!

Now that my painting class will be coming to a close I’ve decided to continue taking Monday’s for myself. I am going to start taking cello lessons again.

Did you know I play cello? I fell in love with it when I saw the band Azure Ray in London back in 2002. I had always loved the cello, but didn’t understand its full awesomeness until I saw their cellist rocking out. It clicked. My love for classical and indie rock combined perfectly in one instrument. Perfect.

I started playing in 2003ish and took lessons for 2 years before moving to dekalb. I always intended to get back to it. I always thought I would start playing it again. I always wanted to. Intending and wanting are not doing. It’s so easy to let an instrument, or a loom for that matter, sit collecting dust for years and years. Before you know it, I’m old. I’m 70. And I’m still thinking “I’ll learn to play the cello someday”. Screw that. I think I’d be pretty upset with myself if I didn’t learn to play the cello before I kick the bucket.

It takes a long time to get good at… so I better start pronto. I’ll never have time to play the cello. There will always be crap in the way keeping that “I should do…” an “I should do…” instead of a “I am doing…”. Well heck. It’s official. I am taking cello lessons! Hooray! I just got off the phone with an instructor and starting March 22nd I will spend one half hour each Monday taking a lesson.

Next week is my last painting class and the week after I’ll start my first cello lesson. I think I’m really going to like my teacher too. He sounds like a really neat guy. The word from the music shop is that he and his wife have been teaching since the 70′s. That’s awesome! And what’s even more awesome is they pretty much haven’t changed their prices since then. Just $15 a week. Not bad. In fact, that’s about half the price of everyone else I’ve talked to. They just love music. And I love that.

So here’s the thing, I’m on a tight budget. So I’m giving up going out to eat and drinking coffee and little snacky things at coffee shops so I can take lessons. I think it’s a trade off that is 100% worth it!

I’m so excited that I immediately ran to the library and picked up a huge stack of music with cellos in it. And then I grabbed up two books on music theory and practice. And I grabbed up a book on orchestral instruments – which has a really nice section on violoncellos: how they are made and their history.

Hooray! I’m going to go practice for a little bit

Kristin Roach

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