Written by Hello, my friends! I wanted to write a post to properly commemorate hitting a rather cool milestone of 2,000 consecutive days of writing and sketching stuff! It actually happened right on Christmas Day, which made my inner child giggle with glee! Yep, that’s 5 years and 5 months of creating art daily! Also, for those who only read the first bit of my posts, I wanted to let you know that I’m still sketching and writing each day, but I’ve taken a break from posting daily while I focus on creating a new book series concept. I’ll be back soon with new posts as we start the New Year, even if it’s not always posting on a daily basis. This has been, and continues to be, an incredible art journey! And, most importantly, lots of new friends made as well! I never set out to do a 2,000 day project, as that would be quite daunting. But, I’ve proven that if you just start doing something you truly love and keep right on DOing it, it’s rather likely to become a bit of a habit. Your support along the way helped keep me on my path and for that I’ll be forever grateful. Every path is made more incredible when it’s a path you take with friends! And, if you are interested in reading on, I wanted to share more of my story and a few of the things that I’ve learned along the way.
Just Start DOing!
When I first started my blog, it was simply because I’d just discovered the joy of drawing and coloring with watercolor. My husband Philippe brought home a set of watercolors to play with over a holiday weekend in July of 2015. I painted a tree and was so proud of myself, that I even signed it! I was immediately hooked and wanted to DO more and more! I wanted to practice every day and so I started a blog to share my progress along the way and also practice my other love, which is writing. I had no plan whatsoever. No grand idea or concept. Okay, in my heart, I wanted to write and illustrate my own books, but I lacked all of the skills to do so. Instead of making that my primary goal, I focused on simply studying and learning instead. I figured I’d know when I was finally ready to try something that daring. I just knew that I wanted to create a bit of accountability on my part by letting others know that I was starting this journey.
Within the first ten days, still perfectly overwhelmed with enthusiasm, I penned a little manifesto comprised of all DO’s. This was actually in response to the various “DO’s and DON’Ts” that I had seen in painting videos that I was finding online at the time. The ones that were telling me all of the ways I could screw things up. And that both scared me and confused me, since I wasn’t aware that there were rules when it came to art. I always thought one of the joys of being an artist was that you got the gift and opportunity to innovate and invent your own rules! So, I was bound and determined to forge my own path ahead, even if it wasn’t the considered the “right” path or was the same thing that everyone else was doing.
The Early Days
I realized almost immediately that I didn’t want to talk about art supplies in depth or create drawing and painting demonstrations. I was terrified of being on video at the time, and since that time have only appeared in 3 workshop videos and 1 Instagram Live show. Also, once I shared a few posts about the supplies I was using, I got too excited about using the art supplies and wasn’t really paying attention to how I was using them. So, I wasn’t much help there. Indeed, I wasn’t fussing over my technique or style, I was just intent on making things every single day. Well, for the first couple of weeks, and then I simply had to include my friends and family!
Philippe was painting with me in those early days and our friend Aesha as well. All three of us were thrilled to learn more and make things. We called ourselves the “Doodlewash Crew” simply because Aesha had always wanted to be part of a crew. What they were creating was so beautiful and I really wanted to share it as well. So, I started sharing their paintings as “Guest Doodlewashes” on my site in short little posts. This lead to sharing art from other artist friends I made online, which then led to a total of 25 artists (and a blogging award from a friend!) by the end of the second month. Soon after, more artists shared their work and their stories here on Doodlewash and there have now been over 600 artists featured on every continent (yes, even an artist sketching and painting in Antarctica).
And, the beautiful thing about building a community meant that we still ended up with awesome art supply reviews and art tutorials here on Doodlewash. In that first year, Jessica Seacrest approached me because she wanted to try writing reviews, but didn’t want to start her own blog. Then later, Bekki Page and Sandra Strait joined in to write reviews as well. Like everything on Doodlewash, things just happened organically, and we did it together, which makes it all even more amazing!
What Should I Sketch Next?
One of the things I realized early on was that the hardest thing in the world can sometimes be figuring out what to sketch and paint next. By the second month, I started creating monthly themes for myself. I also joined a drawing challenge on Twitter called Drawing August to keep myself motivated. I chose a Tour Of France theme and though I posted the drawings on Twitter, I then colored them with watercolor to post here on Doodlewash. I followed that up with a tour of my hometown of Kansas City and then a peek into some of my favorite little things.
Then, when themes weren’t quite enough, I tried my first month of sketching prompts using those obscure national and international celebration days. That’s when I first discovered the power of painting and drawing prompts and this would soon become my preferred approach. As ever, I started inviting others to join me and the monthly art challenges were born. And, sketching those celebration days made me realize that there wasn’t an official day to celebrate watercolor. Since a day simply wouldn’t be enough, in that anniversary of my first year of sketching stuff, I founded World Watercolor Month in July so we all now have an official annual month to celebrate this most amazing medium! Also, since I wanted it to be a gift to the art community and do a little good in the world at the same time, I creating it as a non-profit that helps support art education. Thousands of dollars have been raised over the five years of World Watercolor Month so far, and it makes my heart happy to know that we’re helping our future artists grow and thrive.
While I’ve spent over five years following the prompts, my limited time has meant that I couldn’t do the prompts and also create artwork that’s specific to my new book ideas. I should mention, for those of you who don’t know, this is all still a side hobby for me. I have a full-time job as a Creative Director so I have to grab time on the side to keep everything moving forward. But, I was thrilled that along the way I was able to create and illustrate books by simply reimagining the content that I made each day on this very site! This new book idea that I have, however, is a picture book and will require all new illustrations, which is something I’ve not tried yet. A bit scary, to be sure, but I’m excited to give it a go!
So, heading into 2021, I’ll simply be jumping in and trying prompts whenever I can. For the past 8 months, you might have noticed that the prompts are now being supplied by members of our own Doodlewash community. It’s my sincere hope that, as a group, we can keep these monthly challenges going and give others the opportunity to experience the joy, and immense help that prompts provide. And, of course, it’s just super fun to make things together!
Getting Social
Certainly, our entire world today revolves around some sort of online social connections. And for an introvert like me, social media proved to be one of the most comfortable and fun ways to connect with others. I’m super friendly, but I’m still a bit of a shy guy. When I first started this site, my primary connection was with other bloggers on WordPress.com. Indeed, it was this group of fabulous and inspiring people that made this site happen in the first place. Without their connection and support in that first year, I don’t think there would still be a Doodlewash site today, so a huge heap of gratitude and many virtual hugs to you all!
Next came the other social networks that most people know. I had to navigate them and figure out which ones I would use and how I would use them. At the time, Instagram was by far my favorite as these were the old days of chronological posts. It’s funny to talk about the old days of social media, but since I was using it from the very beginning, I watched it shift and change along the way. The beauty of those chronological posts was that I was always seeing the work of my fellow artists in realtime, just like I was making and posting my own work. It created a much stronger connection and sense of community. It felt like we were just there together and not constantly battling a robot algorithm, which seems more like living in a science fiction story. Today on Instagram, at least at the time I’m writing this, if you go to the hashtag for the month and choose “Recent” you can still view what everyone is making in the order they posted it, so that’s still rather cool indeed!
Soon, organic reach started dwindling and the effort involved in posting no longer came with the same level of reward. Though I managed to acquire a following, I was no longer sure who was even following me at times. What once created a wonderful connection, was starting to make me feel sort of lonely again. So, that’s why I created a space for artists to connect right here on Doodlewash. It’s a homemade effort that I made myself so it doesn’t have quite the bells and whistles, but it hopefully provides another option to find and discover fellow artists. It’s called Doodlewash Club because my inner child thinks that a clubhouse for artists is just about the coolest thing in the world!
In truth, I think I was supposed to change how I used social media. I just kept right on posting and then I would always try to sincerely respond to every single comment that anyone made. This is fine when you only get a handful of comments, but soon I was getting lots more. Yet, I figured if somebody was willing to take a moment to say something nice about my work, then I should also take a moment to reply. And truly, that’s the very connection that made me love social media in the first place. Without it, I don’t really see the point. So, instead of changing how I approach my posts, I’m just going to post a bit less when I need more time to work on my other creative projects.
There’s another thing I learned as an artist using social media. People follow you for a specific reason. They expect a certain level of consistency in the type of work that you share. Change is not necessarily celebrated. At least, initially. For example, I sketched stuff from nature, to food, to animals, all with a lot of realism, or faux realism as I liked to call it. But, I was simply practicing and learning how to sketch a lot of things. Something I truly recommend, by the way!
My goal has always been to be an illustrator, and my heroes were all of the illustrators of children’s books from my youth. So, if you’ve been following along, you’ve seen a lot of little critters pop up over the last few months that are more playful and sometimes even wearing clothes. This shift wasn’t welcomed by some of my audience, and I lost some folks along the way, but I also gained many new folks in the process!
All this to say that as an artist, we should always be growing and changing just like all of the artists who came before us. Even if something that we are doing grows popular, if our hearts are craving something new and different, we should always follow our hearts no matter what. I’ve learned that when it comes to art, I’m not sharing a technique or an approach, I’m sharing my ideas, hopes, and dreams. As those morph and change, it changes the type of work that I produce. And that’s an awesome thing! Never be afraid to share your heart. In the end, even if it produces something very different from what your audience expects from you, they’ll grow to love it simply because you do! Make what you love most and there will always be people out there who will love it just as much!
Moving Forward
While I realize that changing my own approach to posting is a rather big change, I’m excited for all of the new things I’ll be able to DO next. I was known as that guy who showed up every single day and shared what he made. And I did that for 2,000 days! I love that it’s part of my legacy and I hope it’s inspired you along the way as well. Not simply my pictures, but also the words that I’ve shared. For the record, I’ve written over one million words on this blog, which is the equivalent of about 16 and half novels! So, if you’ve missed some of my stories, I hope you’ll go back to the beginning and check them out! Even if I’m just talking about what happened that day, it’s truly evergreen content meant to inspire you on any day of your own life and creative path.
As I move forward into the great unknown of pursuing my lifelong dream, I hope that as I return and share bits of this new journey, it will be equally inspiring. May you always listen to your inner child and chase even the craziest of your dreams as well. Trust me when I say, it’s always worth it! And for those of you who’ve followed along with me each day, I can’t thank you enough. You inspired me more than you’ll ever know. Though I tend to write a lot of words, sometimes there just aren’t words to express the level of gratitude I feel. I love you very much! And, I DO hope you’ll join me on this new adventure. Wherever this road leads, I’ve learned that anything is possible when you have lots of child-like imagination, heaps of hope, and good friends.
I was worried that something bad had happened when you didn’t show up. I’m happy to know everything and everyone is okay. Follow your dreams.
Nope! Just taking a bit of a break from posting! Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕
Un bonjour amical de France, cher Charlie – je vous souhaite à vous et à Philippe, une belle année 2021, avec une bonne santé, un peu d’argent, et surtout de l’Amour et des amitiés, du travail aussi – je suis de celle qui vous écrit peu, mais qui reçoit toutes les nuits, du fait du décalage horaire, vôtre texte si attendu, et vos dessins, qui oui ont évolué, dans un style, où je me reconnais moins. Et cette nuit, RIEN de nouveau plus rien de Charlie !!!! …çà fait étrange…comme si un ami n’était plus là.. quel vide ! j’attendais ce mail, finalement. Je viens de m’en rendre compte – j’aimais revenir sur vos anciens dessins – Je suis intervenante en arts, auprès des jeunes enfants à l’école – très jeunes, ceux qui ne savent pas encore écrire – c’est intéressant de revoir vos archives – je sais qu’il y a Facebook. Mais j’y suis allé il y a très peu de vous. peu de dessins. Les autres médias je n’ai pas. Je n’ai pas dû tout comprendre LE pourquoi vous stoppez. Vôtre commentaire est long, et des fois mal traduit. J’ai cru comprendre que vous n’aviez plus assez de temps. Quel dommage ! et tous les autres ceux inscrits..ne peuvent ils venir là ? écrire aussi – et que tous les jours nous recevions des dessins et des textes, parfois je recevais ce que vous nommez les GUEST – ne peuvent-ils le faire à vôtre place ? – çà ferait comme une grande chaîne des artistes – je suis un peu triste finalement – déjà avec ce virus, qui m’empêche de travailler auprès des enfants – beaucoup de postes concernant les arts sont supprimés – je ne sais, si pour vous le virus vous a fait travailler autrement ? mais en France les arts…plus rien !!! je vous souhaite le meilleur ! comment vous suivre ? suivre vôtre actualité ? Cathy de France
Bonjour, Cathy and merci beaucoup! 😃💕 I’ll still be popping in from time to time, but yeah, I took a full break during the holidays to focus on time with family. Now, I’m focusing on practicing things for an upcoming book, so I’ll just be popping in from time to time. The guest artist posts will still be happening as well! But everything slows down in December on that front as others take holiday breaks as well. Hope you have a very Happy New Year!!
Wow!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! Philippe should fix you a special celebration meal!! May you continue an artistic successful path for many years to come.
Thank you for sharing your Wonderful talents!
I’m blessed by your caring & sharing, it got me into drawing and watercolors at 74. Thank you
Thanks so much, Lyla! 😃💕 hehe… I like that idea of a celebration meal! And I’m so happy that you’ve started your own journey! Wonderful!
End of an era after 2,000 days (wow!) But the start of a new one! <3
Yep! It’s been quite an era indeed! And thanks for being there from the start, Jacob! Much love! 😃💕
Absolutely incredible Charlie!! You have absolutely inspired me along the way and I am thrilled for you to be following and reaching your dreams! Bravo and Cheers to you!
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 Life is way too short, so I think we should all chase after those dreams!!
Plus, if I had read the last paragraph of your last post, I’d have known. But I was in a hurry to get back to whatever Joe and I were doing and just skimmed. Whoops!
hehe! No worries! This was the proper post to celebrate hitting 2,000… and I was going to do it the next day, but well… Christmas toys and all! 😊lol
Your postings have been inspiring for me & although I haven’t shared my efforts (yet) I have been playing/practicing & have even made half my office an art space – that’s called semi retirement haha. I will look forward to future news from you. Good luck & best wishes. 😊💕
Thanks so much, Claire! 😃💕 So thrilled that you’ve been inspired to draw, paint, and play! That’s wonderful! Keep going!
Wow what an inspiration! Your paintings and your stories have been oh so wonderful and exciting. Although I will definitely miss the daily works from you, I wish you nothing but the best in your future creative endeavors and can’t wait to see that book!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us and giving us all the encouragement to seek and follow your dreams one day at a time and you will be surprised what comes of it! Thank you so much!!! much love to you and Phillipe!
Thanks so much, Priscilla! 😃💕 It’s been a lovely journey indeed. Thanks for inspiring me along the way my friend! I’ll be back to share the new journey soon!
I can’t believe it’s been that long… you’re an inspiration to all of us. 🙂
Aww thanks so much! 😃💕 Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either… it’s been a fun ride and I’m excited for what’s happening next!
Charlie, how awesome that you’ve come such a long way! Yep, prompts work for us writers too, in fact I found a perfect one just before I backed a batch of chocolate chip cookies whose dough I did NOT throw out like that of the ill fated shortbread (gotta do those again next week, again to give away). I do not eat cookies between Christmases so today I scarfed four HUGE ones fresh from the oven. Thank goodness I promised some to someone.
So now NoteBook sits there flapping his dried pages at me for not coming back yet. I told him he is all wet — literally since I saw the teacup go over and knew I would never be able to stop it in time. Let’s continue to have fun around and besides our manuscripts and paintings!
Blessings.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 So thrilled to know the prompts work for writers… I hoped they might! And yay for scarfing cookies! hehe And here’s to new ideas… even when they’re all wet! Always something new to discover!
Congratulations Charlie and good luck with the book. I understand the need to prioritize. I am also going to continue painting daily but am taking a break from posting for a bit. I am trying to push my art to a new level in anticipation of 2021 being a better year than 2020 and I want to be ready when shows open back up. I will miss your posts but we will likely both be back at some point. I know you book is going to be spectacular!
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 Yeah, I think posting daily is so awesome, but it does take a lot of time. So, sometimes, it’s good to take a break and prioritize. But, I’ll be back to share as I go along!
Charlie – how wonderful! I have been waiting and waiting for you to finally have a chance to do an illustrated book and I will be among the first to buy a copy! You have always been such a wonderful inspiration to me, and I appreciate the kind words and support you have always offered. Look forward to seeing updates on your new adventure! Happy New Year!!!!
Aww thanks so much, Mariam! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s daunting to try a full illustrated book from scratch, but I feel like I’m mostly ready! hehe Hope you have a fantastic New Year my friend!
Congratulations Charlie, you are an inspiration to a stumbling doodler like myself.
Aww thanks so much!! 😃💕 Keep on doodling… it’s the best thing in the world!
Congratulations Charlie! May you go from strength to strength. Thank you for all you have done for the likes of us; Muchly appreciated!
Thanks so much, Fantine! 😃💕 It’s my pleasure! I adore the community we’ve built together!
Cheering you on from the sidelines, Charlie!! Love watching the way people change directions and paths with their art…all a sign of growth for sure. Will miss your daily rambles but will look forward to seeing and hearing about the progress on your new projects. Thanks for starting the wonderful community, Charlie!! 😘
Out of all the things you posted Charles your story has to be my favourite. Thank you so so much for sharing that. Out of all the artists I have been exposed to you are the one that caught my eyes and heart. I love your little animals. I love Jill P. too and would so much love to paint such realistic watercolours but most of all I just want to “experience” art. This month has been my first time sketching and all of you on this community have given me the courage to post and to have fun. Thank you all!! I can’t believe how incredibly supportive this community has been. I have never been in a community online, in any venue, that is so positive. You are all so amazing and I am glad I picked Doodlewash. I so want to be able to create cute little animal stories too, and fairies and, and, and …. tee hee. This was something I always wanted to do but you have made it exciting. I did take (and am taking) classes but after a year learning about history, pigment, paper, brushes, etc. etc. I have only got to color swatches which I seem to be having a horrible time with so was just about to (almost but not quite) pack in watercolor … hard to be doing all that alone …. when Doodlewash came along. I too think art should be fun and that we should all be able to follow our heart and change what we are doing at any time. That to me is what creativity is and I for one love seeing new ways that people are approaching things. So … go for it 😊👍. I will love seeing what new things you are doing no matter what they are. And I will be first in line to buy your first book because the kid in me will love it.
Aww thanks so much, Zoie! 😃💕 I’m so thrilled you’re part of the Doodlewash community. It’s a wonderful group that has inspired me every step of the way, and continues to inspire everyone who joins! And yes, I’ll be back to share things as I go along, even if it’s not always daily for bit! Much love my friend!
Yay, Charlie, so happy to hear your voice. You’ve been gone so long. haha haha 😂 As you know, my craft is rubber stamping. It’s my addiction, passion, and obsession. Back in July, a crafty friend forwarded me your post. It was for your giveaway. I love giveaways and I have always loved to use watercolors on my stamp images. I have watercolor pencils, in tubes, in pans, and my Martha Stewart art brushes. I did the best that I could and loved it, but I figured that I could learn something from you. Your doodles and stories were so amazing and just drew me in. I just fell right in and found a funny, encouraging, and welcoming community with a sweet Pied Piper, who huddled us around him at his feet to tell us fantastic stories with inspiring paintings, and always, always with a kind word. So, I owe YOU a great deal of thanks. Your kindness and sweet heart shined brightly in my dark, lonely, sad, and painful little world. I felt that I found a new friend. Every day, I excitedly looked forward to talking with you. It was the highlight of my day! 💜
When you paint a Beagle, remember your friend, Marisela, and her Gordo, my Monster.
Aww thanks so much, Marisela! 😃💕 I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed my stories and posts. And yes, and all beagles will always make me think of Gordo and his Marisela! Keep on creating and have a fantastic New Year my friend!
Hi, Charlie! Did you get snow? South Central Texas actually got snow! Wow. None here in San Antonio, but we had a lot of rain and that cold, damp combo is not good for me. So, we are snuggly and warm inside. Oh, we’ll be near 70 by the weekend. haha haha 😎🌞😎☀
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Stay warm, my friend! 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Yes! We got snow… it was cool until I realized they wouldn’t deliver a pizza and it messed up pizza night! lol 😉 Happy New Year!! 😃💕
It is a great accomplishment to create art for 2000 days, every day. Change is inevitable but you will be doing something even more exciting. Good luck and wishing you great success.
Thanks so much, Indira! 😃💕 Appreciate that! Yes, I’m still doodling each day, but it’s a bit different now as I practice drawing the same character a crazy number of times! hehe I’ll be back to share as I go along! Happy New Year!
It was fun and interesting to read about your watercolor journey from start to current times. As someone who zigs and zags in her artistic endeavors, I love seeing how someone else does the same. Right now, I’m struggling with my book illustrations because I’ve become hooked on gouache and have been going toward more of a travel poster style. I didn’t start my book that way, so I’m forcing myself to go back to a past style, but keep wondering if I shouldn’t just start over in the new style so I’ll enjoy it more.
Glad you enjoyed this post, Sandra! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s been quite a journey. And I know what you mean on style… I’m still dancing between a few and haven’t quite figured out yet what to move forward with. I think the winner is always the one that your heart tells you to use… it’s the one that will make it all more fun and happen faster! 😉
Hello Charlie,
I don’t know enough words in any language to tell you how proud and inspired I feel at your accomplishment – and how thankful I am to you for creating Doodlewash and bringing people together. You have only not posted for a couple of days but you have been greatly missed. But since its for the book we are all waiting to see and hold in our hands, we may as well take your occsional appearances as our silver lining (at least you will be popping in a post sometimes). So great big hug to your Charlie and hoping that each day of your life brings you new magic and miracles. 🙂
Love,
Mugdha
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 Yeah, this new leg of the journey is going to be quite a challenge and will take a lot of focus. I’m hopeful I can figure it all out and I’ll be back to share as I go along. Have a very Happy New Year my friend! Much love!
It was great reading your story Charlie, a lot of which I didn’t know. I wish you all the best for your new project.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 And I hope you have a very creative and Happy New Year!
Hi Charlie,
Thank you for starting Doodlewash, for sharing your art, and your words,which are a font of inspiriation for me. I’m not only new to watercolour but new to creating art in more than a ‘once every decade’ attempt. Thanks to your words an Doodlewash Monthly Challenges, I have been painting the daily prompts since the end of November when I joined Doodlewash. I never knew creating art could give me such joy. The folks on the site are so affirming and that affirmation spurs me on. Thank you and my Doodlewash friends. I look forward to your future posts and wish every success with your book. Peace and blessings,
Victoria (vikki)
Thanks so much, Vikki! 😃💕 And yay! Thrilled to know you’re painting daily now! It’s so much fun! I’m still doodling daily, but needed to practice some things with a bit more focus. I don’t think I could stop now if I tried! Have a very Happy New Year!
I don’t know how you did it for 2000 days. You are an inspiration. I’ll be looking out for your third book to add to my library. Good luck and very best wishes x
Thanks so much, Carole! 😃💕 It’s been such a fun journey! And I’ll be back to share as I go along. This new book will require a lot more time and focus. Hope you have a very Happy New Year!!
Congratulations Charlie! In all respects. An exciting new adventure. (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe!! 😃💕 Hope you have a very Happy New Year, my friend!!
Awesome, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Philippe should fix you your special Dessert . Thank you for taking us along on your Art Journey and may the New Year be even more exciting. May you and of course Philippe, continue an artistic successful path for many years to come. I’ve enjoyed your stories, Pod casts, Guest Artist and the colouring book. Oh! almost forgot the Month Prompts that give me motivation when I don’t have any to PAINT something, .
Big Bear Hug 🐻THANKS from Ontario Canada, for sharing your world.
😊Joan
Thanks so much, Joan! 😃💕 I adore the idea of a special dessert… I’ll let Philippe know he should DO that! hehe A big bear hug right back at you!! Hope you have a very Happy New Year!
Bravo! Well done….everything! It was fun to read your journey. Yes, I did see you made it to day 2000 on your Christmas post, but I really couldn’t tell you if I commented on that part. Like you, I am a bit of a squirrel and get sidetracked so easily from the simplest word. So I appologize if I didn’t comment on that. I am very excited for you! I’m also happy to see that these little characters may end up in a little book some day! Each day you have brought a bit of happiness and inspiration to my day. I will be fine and will continue to sketch because that is just what makes me happy. I wish I could have battled the issues I had posting on here. Technology is not fun for me. I don’t have patience with it. So Charlie, enjoy your next journey! Shoot for the stars! All of us here will be watching for your next grand adventure! Love and hugs, my friend! 😉 PS: Rememer to keep us posted on your family too!
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕 Yeah, technology is a wonderful thing until it’s troublesome. hehe And yay for shooting for the stars! I hope you do the same. And I’ll be back with updates as I can on what’s happening in art and life! Have a very Happy New Year!
Great to hear about you artistic journey and how you started doodling everyday and made this great community here i learned here making quick doodle sketches and drawing daily prompts.Hope you can draw subjects you never dreamed of and explore new projects keep moving forward many success with you goals and depicting you art!
Thanks so much, Fatima! 😃💕 Aww I wish the same for you as well my friend! And I hope you have a very Happy New Year!
I am so glad and thankful to have met you, Charlie! thanks for sharing the history with us. looking forward to where you take us next.
Thanks so much, Alice! 😃💕 So happy to have met you as well! Here’s a creative year ahead… Happy New Year!
Congratulations, a great milestone!
Thanks so much, Jean!! 😃💕 Hope you have a very Happy New Year!
First I want to congratulate you on such an amazing, wonderful, life changing milestone! That is incredible and awe inspiring.
Reading this and learning more about how you got to where you are today makes every word I your posts even more special. You have an amazing gift for writing and drawing in your reader to feel as if they are experiencing this with you. One of my favorite statements was “Every path is made more incredible when it’s a path you take with friends!”
This is so so so true.
I am so excited you have this opportunity to follow your heart, to follow this path where everything before has brought you too. Just like your work if the cat sitting at the point of two roads – which do you follow? The well worn path or the road less traveled.
Charlie, you have created something amazing. You have an incredible light you shine into the life of others – through your writings and art. As you know how much I have loved each December post when I found you at the beginning of December. I had tamped down my inner kid and made her grow up. Through your sharing and art, I found her again. As well as what I feel is my “hopefully” new journey.
I am amazed at your commitment and all you have created when this is in addition to your full time job. I’m so thankful for your husband and the first time he brought watercolors home.
I wish you all the best possible success in every step of this next phase. After all that has come from 2020, I am so excited for you to begin this adventure.
I cannot thank you enough for the impact just one month of your writing and art has done to my life. I will forever be grateful for finding a new friend and for letting my inner kid be a kid again!
May 2021, even with all its unique issues carried over, be the most amazing wonderful adventure for you! I wish you everything possible!!!
Bay
Aww thanks so much, Bay! 😃💕 Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so thrilled my doodles and stories have inspired you. And brought that inner child back out to play again! Here’s a beautiful art journey ahead for you my friend. I’m still doodling daily, but realized I can’t do everything I was doing and still get this new book done… hehe… but I’ll definitely be back to share stories along the way. Much love! Have a very Happy New Year!!
I’m so happy for you, Charlie! And so proud! I’ve gone back and looked at many of your early posts and sketches. Needless to say, that’s what practice does- you get perfect! You have grown so much with your art, it’s a treat to look at then and now. 😄 When you started sketching all the little animals, I had a hunch you would be creating a book. I knew it!!! The best of luck, and with anything else you attempt. I know you will be a success, look what you have done so far! Thank you for all the bright spots in my day and the look-backs to my early years. You rock, Charlie! 🤗👍😘
Thanks so much, Linda! 😃💕 I truly appreciate the kind words! It’s been such an incredible journey so far, and yep… had to take a break to focus more on my critters for my new book idea. Lots and lots of doodling the same character right now, but I’ll be back to share as I can! Have a very Happy New Year!
Congrats on the milestone. It is quite an achievement to post consecutively ever day for 2000 posts1 Thanks for the inspiration and many many wishes for success and joy with your next adventure, wherever it takes you. Wishes for all good things in the New Year for you and Phillipe – and, of course, Phineas. Happy 2021!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 I truly appreciate it! Hope you and yours have a very Happy New Year!
Hi Charlie, I was just about to get the information to buy the four book of your guest artist for People, Landscape,
Architecture and animals. I left my computer for a little while, when I came back it all disappeared. Can you help me to retrieve it ? Thank you so much.
Sherrill Taylor
Hi, Sherrill! The link is in the post still, but here’s a direct link to my books, – https://amzn.to/3nQeTVn – Thanks so much! 😃💕
Even when I don’t have time to watercolor, I remain inspired by each of your drawings. Thank you for your contributions and good luck on whatever path you are following.
Aww thanks so much, Caroline!! 😃💕 I’m so happy you enjoy them!
I was getting worried since I didn’t see a post in 2021! You are always inspiring and I’m glad you’re getting to pursue your dream! I will support you any way I can. I’ve met so many wonderful people over the last few years through Doodlewash and I can’t thank you enough! I cannot wait to see what 2021 brings for you… ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks so much, Kari! 😃💕 Yeah… I was hoping everyone so this last post. It’s weird to not show up daily, but I need to focus and practice. And many of my practice doodles are not at all ready for prime time! lol Still sketching daily though and I’ll pop in and out along the way! Hope you have a fantastic 2021 my friend!! Much love!! ❤️
Hi Charlie. I apologize that I’m just now reading this post; I’ve missed your work and wanted to be sure you are okay. I was away from painting and social media for about three months, mostly because my husband and I decided to move, which was a bigger undertaking than we expected timewise. Now that we are settled (and we welcomed our first grandchild this week!), I’m finding time to create again. Congratulations on your 2,000th painting! How awesome! Thank you for commenting on my humble WordPress blog many years ago and creating the lovely Doodlewash community. I’ve made so many terrific online connections with likeminded people, and I owe it all to you taking a few moments to comment on one of my paintings! I am eager to see what you DO next and am looking forward to adding another one of your books to my collection. Be well and paint when you can, and I have NO DOUBT that your future creative visions will come to fruition. 💕🥰😘
Aww thank you so much my friend!! 😃💕 Yay for finding time to create again! And congrats on your first grandchild, that’s wonderful. A future artist no doubt!! All the best to you my friend. And yes, I’m feverishly working on something new that will finally launch next month, so stay tuned! 😉