Written by There’s really nothing tastier than a ripe banana and it also happens to fit perfectly with today’s prompt of “spots” in this month’s challenge. Bananas are devilishly difficult to sketch and paint and would probably have been better served with more time and attention, but even in less than an hour I think they look rather banana-like so I’m satisfied. Though I admit to loving the taste of ripe bananas, the texture leaves much to be desired. When they reach this point, they’re far better relegated to banana bread or a lovely bananas foster. I tend to like them a touch greener when I’m consuming them on their own. But bananas have always made me really happy because they’re usually associated with monkeys which I find rather adorable. My mother using to refer to my childhood shenanigans as “monkey business” which literally means wasting time on some foolish project. I didn’t consider any of my amazing ideas I had as a kid “foolish” and actually loved the idea that a monkey might find a way to make a successful business out of it. This hasn’t changed very much.
Today, I’m still chasing dreams and following my heart to wherever it leads me. I watch people who have business plans and other such things in place and I’m truly impressed. How wonderful to know exactly what you want to happen next. I, on the other hand, run on pure love and impulse. I simply do what I feel like doing on any given day and assume that my love of the act will make good things happen in return. This may indeed seem like “monkey business,” but I don’t think it’s ever foolish to follow your passion. When you’re focused on what you love, the world will simply love you back for that. I truly believe this. Love is by far the strongest emotion you can put back into the world and the way things are going in our world today, I think it’s the primary emotion that’s needed right now. That combined with a healthy permission to play and seek joy is really the best way to live life.
As we head into another weekend, I’m exhausted as ever from a very busy week. A million things have happened over the past several days and I’m looking forward to taking a little break. But I was so happy to paint something today before heading into my evening. And that little joy is what gets me through almost every day. As a kid, I know my mother was dealing with quite a lot. I had so many dreams and so many things that I wanted to accomplish. I can only imagine that raising me was an exhausting endeavour. But I’m driven not to succeed, but to make some sort of difference. And even as I slowly type this, feeling the last bit of energy drain from my body, I hope that I’m on the path to doing just that. I just want to bring a bit of good into this world and make people smile. I think, in the end, that’s always been my goal. Even on days like today, when I’m left simply feeling like a ripe banana.
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Gamboge, Azo Yellow, Pyrrol Red, Dioxazine Purple, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al-Star Fountain Pen – Extra Fine,
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with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in an A6 
Only you, Charlie, could make overripe bananas look appealing. I just threw out two that looked like this painting though they would have made good banana bread – if I were capable of making good banana bread. Ha!
More than the charm of your painting is the charm of your story about childhood shenanigans. Allowing kids time and space to play and invent is more important than vacations to exotic places or classes – though those are great also. I think your mom had it just right in the how-to-raise-kids department. And I bet you wore her out far less than you made her very proud and probably astonished her with the imaginative little kid you were. And the imaginative adult you’ve become.
Awww that’s so sweet of you to say! Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 I hope she wasn’t too exhausted in the end by me. hehe
great image and i am a monkey lover as well. –
Yay! Glad you like monkeys too! hehe Thanks so much! 😃💕
You are bringing so much to this world of ours by just being you Charlie. Please continue with all your “monkey business”. The world is limitless. Put your feet up and chill. ❤😊
That’s such a wonderful thing to say. Thank you so much my friend! 😃💕 It’s been a lovely and relaxing weekend so far! Hope yours is the same!
Thank you Charlie. We have been busy getting the boat ready for the season. See me smile? 😆🍷
hehe! I can see the smile all the way from here! Happy boating! 😃
Charlie – Love your childhood & adult stories. I ALWAYS enjoy & admire your paintings.
Thanks for sharing them all with us!
Aww thanks much, Nancy! That’s so sweet to hear! 😊💕
Yeh, I’m with you charlie re spotty bananas. I’m more your Banana Day post banana for eating as a snack. But spotties would be great for Bannoffee pie or a smoothy. Yum. 😋
Enjoy your weekend! 🎈
Hehe… yeah… this kind isn’t for snacking!! But glad ya liked the doodlewash, Janina! 😃💕 Hope your weekend is going great!
I love this blog! It makes me really happy. Thank you for your pictures and your accompanying essay. You are doing a great thing for the world.
Aww I’m so happy to hear you love the blog, Shelly! 😃💕 Thanks so much for the kind words!! I really appreciate it!
Do you think this is one of your best paintings? A lot of yours are good but this one is like “boom”!
Aww thanks!! I didn’t see this comment, so I’m months late responding, but better late than never!! I do think this one was one of my better ones!! 😊💕
I wish we lived closer. I’d love to have a glass of wine and discuss being a dreamer. Even though my husband thinks I’m occasionally spacey, dreamers make the world a better place. Cheers, bev
I totally agree, Bev! 😃💕 I’m sure we’d have a blast chatting over a glass of wine! hehe… and being spacey together. We can just blame it on the wine. 😉
Wonderful! “Monkey business” is a delightful phrase, and I think I had it thrown at me a few times aswell. I assumed it was a grown-up’s way of acknowledging brilliance 😉 Go bananas. (Another hilarious phrase!)
hehe… thanks, Jacob!! 😃💕 I think you’re right on that! lol And yeah… Go bananas is a great phrase and fun to do as well!
this is Beautiful Charlie! you must realise by now, that You do, touch many lives Charlie and make a difference. I am positive, that there are lots of people who have now allowed them selves to Create, to do Art, to become more fulfilled in life. Because of your posts, you. See. You do make a Difference!!! as always, Cheers, Debi 🙂
Aww thanks, Debi! 😃💕 This blog has definitely been an incredible and rewarding experience. And you definitely make a positive difference with your posts my friend! They always make me smile!
🙂 cheers, and …. try to go have a bit of R & R PS is July the big one for Wc? if so, I’ll try to gear up for most, of it 🙂
Yep!! World Watercolor Month is coming back! I hope you’ll hop in and play along! It’s going to be amazing!! 😃
great, I’ll get some in at least 🙂
Great artwork! 🍌 it actually looks pretty realistic when you’re quickly scrolling by.✨ I have been using bananas for my smoothies😋
Thanks so much, Lee! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one… and yeah… this kind is totally ready to be in a smoothie! hehe
LOL😆
I’m so happy ripe bananas are getting a mention!! Speckled bananas are so much more sugary than greenish/yellow bananas. So unfortunate people tend to throw them out, give them to me!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed this!! Yes, yay to speckled bananas! They definitely have their place!! 😃💕
we would never toss a ripe banana away. They go to the freezer in a little plastic baggie to be made into banana bread. My husband is the baker in this family (not me) and one of his specialties is banana nut bread. Nice post, Charlie. I don’t know how you do a great post every single day, but lots of people are glad that you do. (me included)
Aww thanks Kaye! 😃💕 So happy you enjoy my posts!! And yay to having a baker in the family… hehe… banana bread is my favorite!!!
This painting is exceptionally well done. Plus, this degree of ripeness is how I like to eat bananas!
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, I liked how this one turned out.