The painting “House at Budgewoi” was based around a photograph projected onto the heavily worked canvas using an Artograph Tracer projector.

The projector made the transfer of images onto canvas so much simpler than the method of direct illustration and tracing off direct illustration I have been using. Being unwell as well meant that the Tracer allowed me to direct energy into the painting the painting rather than into the pre-illustrations so it meant I have finished a painting that normally would have floated about the place for months and probably lost itself as the initial inspiration was lost.

That Artograph projector was borrowed from a friend who took it back shortly after the first painting was done. I begged for the machine to be returned so it could be use to continue the series. There are dozens of really beautiful little beach houses about here and there is a certain look that identifies this place. Perhaps it identifies all these little beach side towns.

The request to borrow the Artograph was made again about two weeks ago but the reply was that it was not available and I have had to come to the conclusion that it will not become available in time for me to use it before I retire or die of old age.

There was one online for $150 and I saved and scrimped to get one in that range but by the time there was enough money to put in an order there were none in that range. Now they are $200 plus.

It is agonizing being this broke and needing a piece of equipment. I spent days arguing the for-and-against with myself. Can I justify another long period of eating badly and going without other things?

The order was placed a few moments ago and I actually feel sick at the stress of spending the money. Making art seems to a constant flow of money going through your fingers no matter how miserly you get about it.

Back in 1999 all the equipment I needed to go ahead with a full art making studio was in a garage which was robbed. That memory is one of the reasons it is so hard to justify expense and why everything is such a struggle now. There is a pile of equipment and tools that I had aquired through friends or hard saving and which are just beyond the budget now and yet are vital to finishing paintings and drawings for sale. Now my back is aching too. Ah well, onwards, I can cope with more baked beans and sausage sandwiches if the pictures work.

Just for the record. The Artograph Tracer Projector was ordered from The Art Store and so far everything has gone smoothly.