A Bit Of Corn

For today’s prompt of corn, we have, well, precisely that. I really just wanted to see if I could scribbled all the kernels in the short time I had to paint. Or, provide a kernel of truth to what is ultimately just a little doodle. When something is trite or silly, people often refer to it as corny. I remember reading that late 19th century seed catalogs added humorous stories and jokes in between the product listings. These anecdotes took the name of “corn jokes” and later were just simply called “corny.” As a kid, corny jokes were always my favorite. Those absolutely stupid jokes that made adults roll their eyes and wince while kids doubled over on the floor laughing and peeing their pants. I’m not entirely sure much as changed, other than that last bit. I’ll still find humor in nearly everything and can find myself bursting out into laughter at the most inopportune times. I just find life gleefully ridiculous and not something to be so serious about. Even when bad things happen, there’s always some little glimmer of something silly lurking there. Something that’s awkward or profoundly dumb about the whole mess that just makes me giggle.

This is probably why I’ve never gotten along well with super serious people. Those folks who have the opposite problem and fail to find humor in anything. Thankfully, since I tend to hang out with creative people, this never seems to be an issue. I really can’t imagine a life without a fair amount of giggles. And when I see someone who seems super serious, it just makes me giggle more. Sometimes people say that one should “take life seriously” when they’re wanting to get something important done. It’s as though, having fun is not part of doing something well, which to me, seems perfectly counterintuitive. I, instead, prefer to side with Oscar Wilde on this one who often had his characters in plays quip, “life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about it.” No, I think that if we really want to make something happen, then our serious side needs to take a rest. In those moments, it’s that gleeful child that will really make the cool stuff happen. The serious adult can just suck it! Yeah, what my child lacks in eloquence, he more than makes up for in passionate drive.

I’ve really no idea where this particular ramble is heading, but I hope wherever you are, you’re making the most of the weekend. This should include healthy bits of smiles and giggles, no matter what is happening around you. It’s the best way to spend any day really, so please don’t stop when Monday sadly arrives. Yeah, those same people or say things also say things like “this is no laughing matter” and though I suppose those times exists, it still seems to me if something truly matters, it deserves a laugh. Yep, my family laughs together at funerals. And sits in the very back when attending those of others. Really, nothing is off limits. Because, in the end, if you’re serious about life, you’ll always be observant enough to enjoy its quirks. And as long as you have family and friends to giggle through life’s moments with, then you can have a seriously wonderful life. Even if, sometimes, it comes with just a bit of corn.

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About the Doodlewash Da Vinci Paint Co.: Da Vinci Yellow, Quinacridone Gold, Leaf Green, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book.

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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