2007 was a brutal year. The stress and depression were at a constant maximum. My wife (Erika) lost her mother to cancer. Marcelle was a beautiful woman, and an incredible mother to Erika. Dylan (my nephew) was living with us. He was having trouble in Vancouver. So he came out to live with us. After seven months it was not working out. So he return to Vancouver. I dragged my wife into purchasing a new property. And to make the move financially possible I converted my work space / art studio into an open concept studio. We kept this property as an income property. As an artist I felt it was best to invest in some future security. So the marathon began.

Sitting in my work space / heated garage in Vanier.

So for three months while Erika's mother was terminally ill. I converted the space into....

By converting the garage /studio into a rental apartment it made purchasing the other property possible.

As an artist with a wife and child. One has to be responsible.

We kept our three bedroom house, two bedroom apartment, and open concept apartment as an income property.

It was very difficult to complete this project for many reason.

Despite death, depression, lose, threats of divorce, banks, stress... the job was completed.

I took a day off. Spent time with Erika and Isabelle.

The next day I started renovating the next property.

The new property was a total nightmare. But the price was right, and the neighborhood was very pleasing.

My wife and child really did not wish to move.

It is easy to understand why when you see the new place.

Old kitchen

 

old kitchen

 

old bathroom

 

old living room

 

old gallery

 

renovating bathroom

 

renovating bathroom

 

renovating bathroom

 

Renovating kitchen

I started the project June 5th and the moving date was July 28th.

53 days to get the job done. Plus I had to look after Isabelle (3 1/2 years old) while Erika worked.

When Erika returned home from work we would talk, eat, spend some time together, then I would take the bus across town.

Work until 1 - 2 am.Wake up at 5:30 am. Get some fresh fruit at the Parkdale Market, a donut and juice at the gas station.

I purchased a book from Chapters on How to Do Bathrooms by Black and Decker. And did all the work myself.

Erika helped me with the installing the kitchen, Mike helped me with the flooring, and Gilles helped with the electrical.

New kitchen

new bathroom (walk in shower)

new bathroom

 

Once the living space was complete I had to earn money.

Converting the garage into an apartment and renovating the upstairs of the building was all unpaid work.

My back gave out and I was unable to move for two weeks. Once back on my feet.

So in early September I start a contract.

In 13 days I did foundation work on Chip's house.

I dug 5-6 feet down to the foot of the foundation and 65 - 70 feet around the property.

All work was done with a pick axe and shovel. (no machines)

 

Blocks of foundation where all replaced and repaired.

 

After this contract I started to work on the gallery. But the cost of setting up the gallery was expensive.

So I did another three jobs for other people.

This was a really hard year. But the gallery is now open.