By Charlie

A Perfectly Baked Pie

Written by Charlie O'Shields

Fruit pie is definitely one of my favorite dessert options, but only if served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I’ve chosen blueberry today, but give me cherry, apple, or peach and I’m equally thrilled. Again, as long as the companion vanilla scoop is present. Philippe is a master when it comes to baking pies, and I’ve seen the thrill on his face when a crust seems to come out just perfectly. As for me, I can’t personally speak to the thrill of this specifically. Were I to actually attempt to bake a pie, my definition of “perfect” would involve producing something vaguely edible that didn’t send people rushing for the toilet. For someone who actually bakes, of course, the bar is far higher. What I can attest to is the thrill of eating that perfectly baked pie, and that alone qualifies it as a top simple pleasure. The truth is, whenever someone makes something that turns out really well, their audience also gets to enjoy a similar rush of excitement. And when that something is pie, the thrill is even sweeter.

I’ve tried many things with success in life, but cooking just hasn’t been one of them. Gardening is another skill I lack entirely. Proof, I guess, that we can only hope to master the things we truly love to do. No point in pushing ourselves to perfection if the thing we’re doing in the first place simply doesn’t capture our hearts. You won’t find a master of anything who truly dislikes what they do. Some folks just starting out with watercolor ask me what they should do in order to improve. The answer is incredibly simple and applies to everyone. Simply DO. Each and every day, for 90 days, and see if you truly form an addiction that you simply can’t shake. The rest, will take care of itself. If you’re doing something each and every day, it’s impossible not to improve. Sure, some days sort of suck and it can feel like you’re moving backwards, but then there’s that day when everything comes together just as it should. This is the day that was meant to be, and those other days were the flukes.

I just keep charging on and making things each day without worrying too much about the outcome. I’ve seen how time and practice force me to improve, whether I like it not, just by looking back through old posts on this blog. I love having absolutely everything I’ve ever painted in a single place! From that time Doodlewash turned 90 days old, which was the very first time I ever painted food, until today. I’ve no idea what my paintings or even Doodlewash, for that matter, will look like two years from now, but I’m confident that both will keep improving! And I’m thrilled that so many of you have joined me here on this journey. (Seriously, if you haven’t checked out our watercolor community, then log in with social now and join in the fun!) Each day is another opportunity to grab some ingredients and create something new. Though not every day will feel like a success, at some point in time, you’ll always surprise yourself, like bakers everywhere when they open the oven to reveal a perfectly baked pie.

Join Us For The September Art Challenge & Paint The Simple Pleasures In Life
Click Here To Learn More!

About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Quinacridone Gold, Red Rose Deep, Cobalt Blue and Payne’s Gray.  Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book.
 #WorldWatercolorGroup - Day 16 - A Perfectly Baked Pie - Blueberry Ice Cream - Doodlewash

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!

See author's posts

Recommended3 recommendationsPublished in By Charlie

27 Comments

0 Shares

27 thoughts on “A Perfectly Baked Pie”

  2. Okay, fruit pie with ice cream is almost as good as chocolate. Almost! Your pie looks yummy and fortunately (or is it unfortunately?) it will last longer than Philippe’s artistic success. So he’ll just have to keep recreating it. Yeah, that’s fortunately.

    Reply

  4. I thought it might be elderberry pie–so delicious! And, yep, gotta have warm pie with cold ice cream! I can’t have the ice cream or the pastry, but it sure brings back yummy memories.

    Reply

  9. Beautiful slice of blueberry pie Charlie! And great post it is always fun to look back at old painting and see that perseverance and a good drawing routine daily will go very far! <3 😉 You need to do InkTober this year!!! 😉

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Carolina!! Glad you liked this post!! 😃💕 And yeah… since I ink and paint daily, does that mean I’m always doing Inktober? hehe… I’d never go watercolor-less of course, so I just add the hashtag in October. 😊

      Reply

  11. Charlie, you paint the yummiest looking desserts. 90 days to make a habit… Okay although I have been watercolor painting for about 2+ years, it has been as I had time or not :).

    But since World watercolor month this year, I have made the time every day. I am up to 78 days. 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 And YAY!!! You made my heart so happy hearing that!! See?? You’re almost there. At the end of the month, you’ll be a true addict and will always wonder why you thought you couldn’t find the time to do it daily. 😉 hehe

      Reply

  12. Amen to that “Simply DO!” Spot on, Charlie!

    Oh gosh – pies! Gramma and Mama were excellent at them. Gramma perfected the cocoanut creme, banana creme, homemade butterscotch and lemon and so on with her lovely meringue toppings! Mama’s expertise was in the fruit pies but she also made a frozen pumpkin pie that was a revered treat!

    To those flavoured and favoured memories brought to the fore from your post, I salute you Charlie! 😍❤️

    Reply

Leave Me A Comment!

Discover more from Doodlewash®

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading