Casa Siesta

After refreshing my knowledge of Paula Rego and pondering her pictures again this morning, what happens? A lady comes up to me in my cash-day-job holding a canvas bag with 'Paula Rego - Casa Historica' on it; I can't but feel there is a message in there somewhere, very spooky.
Thinking about one picture in particular that summed up much about her work that I like; it is a single female figure crouching with wonderfully drawn, scuptural limbs and a disturbed/disturbing face. There is that fabulous ambiguity; is she cleaning the kitchen floor, in an asylum, a refugee camp? What is she doing, what will she do, what does that face mean? It is one of those images that stays with you and questions you long after it is no longer before you; I love that.
Found a great quote today from Yann Martell, the author of 'The life of Pi' which sold some zillion copies and I read one far east trip and enjoyed a lot. He has finally had his next work published to some dire reviews and comments along the lines of 'why didn't you do another one like the last one?' He replies, which I feel is true for painters too, in spades; 'Most writers...write a book because they have a story to tell. And they will tell it no matter not.'
I think it is ignoring the story within and opting for the story without is the mistake to avoid, at least if hoping to stay true to your unique 'voice'....
For lunch I had a new and wonderous leftover dish; couscous wrap. Take one herb wrap and spread generously all over with houmous; tip leftover couscous with herbs, olives, lime zest, peppers and peas over the top and press down, with crumbles of feta cheese over it. Roll like a roulade and cling film firmly before cutting in half for ease of eating; scrummy. Endless permutations possible too, with other cheeses, spreads and contents of couscous.
My challenge for the day at work was to find a title for the painting I'm doing, with the unwieldy working title of 'Suki, Greensleeves and Popsicle', and come up with ideas for the next board. Didn't fare too well on the title although I think I am on the right lines; something to do with studying and siesta, as the women are relaxing in the picture but in the process of passing on their trade and knowledge to young Popsicle. The cheesiest I happened upon was 'siesta semester', which made me chuckle but doesn't make the cut I fear; about to look up some French and Spanish in case their words say it better than those I am more familiar with. For my next pic. I am thinking of staying with the boatman/fisherman who I am drawing a lot at the moment and using him in a Nantucket whaler disaster/castaway kind of scenario. That way I can use my angel as well, and I do like to draw an angel. I read quite a few books on lost whalers and castaways a few years ago as the stories fascinate me and I am still chasing the Rime of the Ancient Mariner in charity shops as I'm sure this is going to give me more ammunition...
Enough talk for tonight; looking forward to printing with the wee spuds I cut yesterday - they are like many food things and work better on the day after preparing.