Written by For our optional World Watercolor Month prompt of “Alone,” my mind leapt to those little moments that I spend all by myself. Not lonely moments, but lovely moments where I can hear only my own breath and focus on my own thoughts. Here to demonstrate this today, we have a lone baby beagle stopping to admire a single rose. Certainly my little sketching break each day is a perfect example of this wonderful alone time. I can get really lost in my sketches and sometimes lose track of time. Well, for a little while anyway, since there’s always some buzzing calendar alert that breaks me out of my spell. But, even just a few moments of doing something I truly love is a rejuvenating experience. For me, drawing and painting is my daily meditation. A chance to reset and recharge so I can face down all of those other deadlines with fresh energy and a positive attitude. Though, yes, my penchant for sketching happy moments also enhances that fabulous feeling. I just love sketching hope!
While this isn’t my own dog Phineas in this particular sketch, he was still the inspiration. There’s a rose bush at the end of our block and he’ll often make a quick stop there. Indeed, he’s smelling the area so he can find just the perfect spot to pee, but at a glance it looks like he’s stopping to the smell the roses. So, that’s what Philippe and I always chuckle about and say is happening. Our imaginations move beyond this, of course, and we next picture him slowing blowing all of the seeds off a dandelion while making a wish. I think legend has it that if you blow them all off with just one breathe you’ll have confirmation that the person you love, loves you right back. But, I’ll bet money that Phineas is simply wishing for a big bowl filled with pork. I can’t fault him, as lately I’ve just been wishing for dessert. The key lime pie I sometimes sneak into our grocery order wasn’t in stock this time around so I’ve been mourning its loss all week.
I’ve thought about taking a few days off from work in August to have a little more time to sketch and paint. World Watercolor Month is always so exciting and makes me remember just how important this daily practice really is. But sometimes, when I have all the time in the world, I’ll just get a bit lost in thinking about things and won’t really use that time wisely. Though getting lost in my own imagination and thoughts is a really fun way to spend the day, albeit not immediately productive. I often get my best ideas during those moments. Having time to myself allows my brain to spin with its own crazy and unique way. It’s not really about concentration as that only works when you know where you’re heading. For me, it’s about getting lost on purpose. Finding that path less traveled and seeing where those ideas will take me. If a rose happens to appear along that path, I’ll take a moment to stop and enjoy it. And then, I’ll keep right on skipping ahead, down that wonderful trail of happiness that comes from a bit of alone time.
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Taking time off to get lost in your imagination and thoughts sounds like a perfect vacation to me. Cute Beagle too!!😍
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Best vacation ever!
Thanks for reminding me that drawing and painting are such meditative activities that I need to do every day!
Yes! Drawing and painting daily is so therapeutic! 😃💕
We had a lot of beagles when I was little. When I was a teenager my best friend’s family had beagles too. There is nothing like beagle puppies. Their puppy breath is so devastating!
Hehe! I’ve never had the chance to smell beagle puppy breath, but I’ve always thought they were so darn cute! 😃💕
Wonderful sketch Charlie, puppies are always a great choice! I hear you about not being as productive when you have too much time. Today too much time was spent on the computer and not in the studio. Although to my defense it was mostly art or art business related. My unfinished paintings and blank watercolor paints are not happy so tomorrow I will paint.😉
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 Yeah, you can’t let those painting get unhappy! hehe
Your beagle is just as cute as a real one! 😉 It’s a lovely sketch, beautiful rose and background. During these trying times, I revert to some creative project. Right now I have 4 different projects going on and my craft room looks it!
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕 hehe… four projects and a busy craft room sounds awesome to me!
Love your sketch and your thoughts..I love also getting lost in my painting, drawing sketching..and loosing track of time…such a healthy way of taking care of one’s self…thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Priscilla! 😃💕 Yeah, I think art is one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves!
Fascinante, me gusto mucho, lindo el perrito
Muchas gracias, Eduardo! 😃💕
Oh, Charlie! My little boy Monster was a beagle. I showed your painting to my mom and we both had an “awww” moment. My eyes filled with tears and my mom said, “Chato!” That was her nickname for him. I will give you 3 guesses why he got the name Monster as a baby. He was hell on wheels! haha We never walked him out on the street ( too many scary stray dogs), but he had a major thing for smelling the dryer vent. He would bask in the warm, perfumed air. He would do circles in front of the vent. If he found a used dryer sheet on the floor, he would paw it and roll in it. Only he knew or understood why. I like to think that it smelled like mama and grandma. It smelled like home, it smelled like the people who loved him. It smelled like his Mama that still cries for him.
That puppy has the softest look! I want to rub that cute little face…sheesh Charlie! if I get a puppy this week…!😁😄😆
Thanks so much, Nellie! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this!
Aww so happy this reminded you of your beagle, Marisela! 😃💕 Even though he was a bit of a monster, he sounds like a wonderful doggie!
By coincidence, last weekend I had such a desire for key lime pie, my trip to the market Monday came up short for pie as well. So I bought key lime yogurt. Those darn containers are so small, but, nevertheless, it did the trick.
Hehe! Yeah, those containers are impossibly small. More of a tease than a proper treat! 😉
Great doodle Charlie.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕
Hello Charlie,
That rose looks thrilled to see that puppy looking so lovingly at it. It looks proud of itself basking in that attention. Im so glad to know that you plan on taking a break from work in August. Maybe you’ll get inspired to start on your picture book. Fingers crossed! 🙂
Love,
Mugdha
Thanks, Mugdha! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this one! Hoping to form that idea that sparks me into action on that picture book!
You do such cute animals!
Aww thanks so much, Linda! 😃💕 I adore sketching animals!