A NEW BEGINNING
When we first looked at our home the realtor and I were skeptical to say the least. Floors slanted three inches in all directions, squirrels were living in the kitchen, a homeless man on the front porch and the bathroom made the filthiest camp latrine seem inviting.
Brad, our contractor friend, arrived on the run and was as dismal as the realtor and I. "You've got to be joking!" he said to my partner Morris who - with great excitement - toured him through the dump while I stood outside, arms folded. I knew Brad would pull Morris onto my side of "No, not THIS house!"
Three months later I was signing papers and the house was ours.
New neighbors Andrew and Ginny cheered at our arrival. "No more crack house!" laughed Ginny in delight as the fixing up commenced.
Today we joke about what a mess it all was. It's unfortunate that we didn't take "before" pictures to prove my point. But people still thrill when we take them on the repair tour or roll marbles in the places where the slant is still significant. Morris' vision of making the house a true showplace has paid off. And because of that, one of my visions came true as well. Every artist dreams of having his own show space and now I have mine.
Danyl Cook Studio & Gallery opened the weekend of November 11th 2005 with great crowds.
Most folks were awestruck by the work that had been done to save the poor old house.
"Oh, and your art's not too bad either!" commented more than a few.
The gallery is open by appointment. Call 303-781-6233 to visit.