Written by For today’s prompt of “Pot Of Gold,” I ended up with a gold pot of tea. It’s been a busy day, so the idea of relaxation was the first thing that came to mind. Sure, I’m Irish, so lucky leprechauns with actual gold also jumped into my head, but I’ve yet to ever meet one one of those little guys. Instead, a lovely spot of tea seemed more in order. It’s funny, though I’m a very laid back person and not prone to getting too stressed out about things, I don’t spend a lot of time relaxing. At least, not fully. My mind is always going a mile a minute, even when I’m sitting still. Reading books is probably the most relaxing thing I do. Jumping into someone else’s story distracts my own mind from obsessing over my own list of unfinished tasks. And has the delightful side effect of helping me to learn more about myself in the process. One wouldn’t think that relaxing, the very idea of simply doing nothing much at all, would be so difficult to DO. But, it’s always been a challenge for me. My body acquiesces quite nicely, but that darn mind won’t shut itself off properly. Curious to know your favorite way to truly relax, so let me know in the comments!
I think all of you already know that my favorite way to relax is sketching and coloring with watercolor. It’s a tiny little part of my day, but it’s the one time during the day that my mind floats away a bit and stops trying to solve a thousand riddles at once. Just one fun riddle of what colors I’ll choose that day and the rest is simply a bit of joyous sketchbook play. At least, that’s the way I approach it! It’s why I’m so addicted to sketching stuff! Using words like addiction has a bit of negative connotation. But, if you apply the thought, this drug is cheap, effective, and only has positive side effects. In truth, I’ve always loved creating most, and it’s what I do for my day job. Yet, that’s a job and the kind of creating I DO in the evenings is simply whatever makes me happy. So, even if you’re a full-time artist, I hope you’ll plan a little playtime on the side to just enjoy your craft without the dread of mastery or a deadline. The kind of fun you have in a sketchbook where, perhaps, it’s only you who ever sees what appears there. I actually have quite a few doodles in my sketchbook that never make it into these posts.
So, I’ve started a Sketching Stuff Facebook Group for the launch of my new Activity Book series, and I’ll be posting some of my unpublished doodles, bloopers and outtakes there. I hope you’ll come join us to post your pages out of my Activity Book, or truly, any fun thing you’ve colored that day in any medium you choose! This one is a Closed Group, so only members will ever see what we share! It’s super small, and a fun place to share something, particularly if you’re just starting out and feeling a bit shy about going public with what you make. Come play with us and we’ll get you confident and ready to jump out there and strut your stuff with pride! Some days, when I’m doodling enthusiastically, I’ll scribble something that looks off and not at all like what I wanted to make that day. I just giggle and quickly turn the page. But it occurred to me, that I’ve no problem posting everything I finally make each day, so why not post those little false starts as well. I can’t post them here as they don’t apply to what I’m talking about in my stories, but meet me in the group and I’ll start to post them there. In many ways, I think there’s much to learn from our practice and warm-up sketches. They may not be perfect, but what they have to teach us, and others, is like finding a pot of gold.
Want To Sketch Stuff With Me? Check Out My New Activity Book!
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Nickel Azo Yellow, Leaf Green, Quinacridone Red, Terra Cotta, and Indigo. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop! |
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I find it hard to relax fully myself. But I have found that music helps, along with reading and sketching/painting.
Yeah, I know right? Fully relaxing is so tough! But yes, sketching/painting and music sounds just like me! Love it! 😃💕
I love the way you paint metal! You shared your technique for glass in this book. I hope metal will be in the next one! I cheated for this prompt and used metallic pen on black paper. Even quicker than a quick watercolor! I’m like you in that it is very hard to quiet my mind. Sometimes, nothing helps – especially if I’m really excited about a project and stalled on working on it because of other commitments.
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕For the tip about metal as well, it’s much like glass but a touch different. Next up is animals, so beyond a food bowl of a dog, there’s not much metal, but after that is food which will definitely have knives, forks, and ice cream sundae containers! hehe 😉And yay for cheating! lol It’s never really cheating, just using the art supplies that call us most! And yes, sometimes, I just have to stop working on something to get my focus back fully.
And I second your invite to the new Sketching Stuff group!
Yay to that! Thanks so much for being a moderator my friend! 😃💕 We are super small, but FUN and mighty!
I agree the tea pot is a pot pf gold !!
Thanks so much, Ujek! 😃💕 Glad you liked this!
A relaxing cup of tea sounds good. I like your post Charlie.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this one!
It’s so very relaxing! I can feel the warmth melting my cold hands. I love how you weave life’s moments together, so fearless and yet real. 💖
That’s such a sweet and wonderful comment, Lulu! 😃💕 Thank you, my friend!! It’s every writer’s dream to receive feedback like that.
This pot reminds the kings ages they mostly have used this type of pot.
Perfect n seems golden.
Thanks, Snehlata! 😃💕 I think this one might be Egyptian… not sure… it’s a combo of several references now.
My favorite way to relax is to be walking outside in nature, observing birds and plants.
Yay to that, Sharon! 😃💕I agree! That’s a very relaxing thing to DO indeed!
Reading. Ever since the 4th grade I read before going to bed every day. It began with my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Cabot who read to the class every afternoon before school let out. She read us a Mrs. Piggle Wiggle book. I had to get the book from the library and read ahead on my own. I had no patience!
And weeding. It’s my favorite mindless task.
Yay, Lisa!! 😃💕I was hoping someone would concur with reading!! It’s SO relaxing… being dipped into another story is a wonderful experience. And now I want to know more about Mrs. Piggle Wiggle of course! hehe
Check it out. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs._Piggle-Wiggle
Very fun!!
Hi Charlie, I like your “spot of tea” – looks perfectly golden! 💛 Lately, I’ve been trying to eat healthier so I’ve found chopping veggies to be very meditative. This may sound weird but I’m really enjoying it. I also find art relaxing, it helps my mind rest too. Especially when I allow myself to get truly absorbed in my project and the ugly critic has been silenced (at least for a moment or two). And a glass of golden wine… hehe! Cheers friend! 🥂
Thanks so much, Jill! 😃💕 And yay to glass of golden wine, of course! hehe! But yeah, isn’t it the truth… when we can find ourselves in a “mindless task” it’s always relaxing. That’s why I think art made for fun and a bit “mindlessly” is such a therapeutic experience!
Love the metallic look, and your glass cup. You made them look so real, but fun at the same time.
Painting, reading and walking/hiking help me to relax.
Thanks so much, Gwen! 😃💕I agree with that list! The best way to relax ever!
I love the highlights you created on your teapot. So pretty. Yeah, sitting still is difficult for me too. Sketching is about the only thing I can actually sit and do longer than 30 minutes. My mind is always off on another task. Maybe that’s why I like to organize?! Hmmmmm
Thanks, Lori! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, I know right? Though I often only sketch for just 30 minutes, sometimes it moves into a full hour! This is literally a breakthrough for me and proof that sketching is indeed magical!!
Wonderful pot and cup of tea. It’s not always easy to relax….too little time and way too many ideas. Or maybe doing the things I love IS how I relax; I can get totally lost in my watercolors or in doing anything creative or in reading a book.
Thanks, Mary! 😃💕 And yay to that! I think it’s fun that all of us who love to sketch, color and read have found each other!
I’m retired from paid employment, so I have developed numerous ways to relax. These include reading, listening to pod-casts and knitting. But my favorite for now is sitting on the patio and watching the bird activity in my back yard. Birdsong is the bonus.
Birdsongs are the best, Laura! 😃💕 And yeah, I’m maybe a little jealous of your retirement… hehe… what a glorious opportunity to find ways to relax on your own terms. Love it!
Wowza!!! the is so lovely. One of my favorite things to do drink tea ahhhhhhh this feels very inviting 🙂
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 Thrilled you enjoyed this! Yeah… tea is the BEST! I love it! hehe
OMG! Yes! I have trouble turning my head off … or at least getting my mind to take its foot off the gas pedal and slow down. My head ils kinda like an internet browser with 294,756 tabs open at the same time. (And some days, trying to find out which tab has that annoying autoplay ad blaring in my ear!)
But drawing and reading do the trick of slowing things down enough to concentrate on something. Chopping things up on a chopping board for cooking is another thing that slows my head down–out of necessity, because I prefer my fingers attached to the rest of me! LOL!
I don’t know why these tasks work this way on my head. I’m just glad they do. You give me hope, Charlie, that I can one day carve out a piece of my day to sit and do nothing but draw and give my head a break. ^_^ I love your doodlewashes and love how you’re sharing them with everyone.
Please don’t stop.
Aww thanks so much!! 😃💕I’m so thrilled to know you’re enjoying my posts! And love that thought of having way too many tabs open (which I always do for real by the way when I’m browsing the internet😊). That’s exactly how I feel. But sketching and writing has really made a huge difference in my life. That’s why I always show up. I need that break and perfect way to distract my busy mind! So, DO make that time to draw each day… it’s truly incredible. You sound like me… so I can pretty much guarantee it! 😉