Five Naked Ladies

Well four and a half!


Over the last few months I have been decluttering, painting, tidying the house in preparation to put it on the market.  In the process it feels like it is turning into someone else's house.  The book shelves that are usually overflowing have been purged, they are neat and tidy and just not so interesting.  The spare bedroom that acts as my craft room is looking more like a bedroom and less like my little cave of creativity.  You can actually see the bed now it is not covered by my latest projects.  Bathroom shelves cleared of all the little bottles I collect from hotel rooms, yes I am that person.  Piles of books and magazines removed from all over the floor by my bed.  My little nest on the sofa that usually has books, knitting project, coffee cups and laptop has been cleared.  They say you need to de -personalise your house when selling it but how far do you go?

I am reminded of a poem from the Adoption Papers by Jackie Kay.  Her adoptive parents are awaiting a visit from the Social Worker who will decide if they are fit people to adopt.  She writes:

I put Marx Engels Lenin (no Trotsky)
in the airing cupboard - she'll no be
checking out the towels surely

All the copies of the Daily Worker
I shoved under the sofa
the dove of peace I took down from the loo

A poster of Paul Robeson
saying give him his passport 
I took down from the kitchen



My copy of the Communist Manifesto is still on the book shelf, but I have taken down the photo of the lady who apart from some sprinkles really was naked.  However I have left these five prints on the walls.  The tattood lady (above) gazing up to the sky which I love and everyone else in the family hates.

My poster from the Tracy Emin Exhibition I went to a few years ago, it's by our kitchen table.  Perhaps I should look at it when I am tempted to scoop a bit more of something onto my plate, then I may have an ass like that.

This gorgeous painting of a women sprawled across the bed, I look just like that in the mornings ..... ha I wish!

This beautiful mother and baby

...... and a glamorous 'sleepover'.

Sorry they are not great shots, it is very difficult taking a photo without getting a photo of yourself taking the photo, if you see what I mean.


Do I erase the last bit of my personality by taking down my naked ladies and putting up photos of flowers or cute dogs?  Or just think 'what the hell' they are not buying my artwork.

So bloggers, is there anything you would hide if you put your house up for sale?  Do tell :)

I am joining with lovely Amy who is kind enough to host Five on Friday

Chickpea xx

p.s.   I do have a lot of other non naked lady pictures around the house.......just saying :)