Written by We’ve reached the final day of the month and the end of another challenge. For our prompt of “friends” I ended up with a couple of birds, mostly because I don’t paint people. Also, it seemed like a good segue to next month’s watercolor challenge “Let’s Go On A Nature Hike!” I hope many of you will be joining in as well as we head down paths unknown and discover new things together! Or will at least drop by to see what turns up here each day. Certainly a list of happy things wouldn’t be complete without friends and I want to thank all of my friends out there who keep showing up to support my painting and writing efforts. It means the world to me and I can’t thank you enough! Also, a huge thanks to all my friends who have joined our watercolor community on Doodlewash and our World Watercolor Group on Facebook and share their beautiful work. It thrills and motivates me to see what you make each and every day! We’ve come a long way together and It’s been such an amazing journey. Here’s to more fun journeys ahead!
It’s a blast when people who share common interests come together. But more than that, it helps get through the tough times when you’re not sure about things or worried that what you’re making isn’t something people will like. When I first started painting and blogging, I was secretly terrified that nobody would show up to read my rambles and see my paintings. In my head I told myself I didn’t care, but of course, I totally did care or I would be putting myself out there in the first place. I didn’t do it for admiration, I just did it for emotional support. It’s tough to create things and share them with others, certainly every day, and I was truly looking for a bit of validation. Something that would tell me that what I was doing had a bit of value for someone. A sign or something that I should continue on. And it worked to keep me painting each and every day as people did actually show up. Just a handful at first, and that was more than enough to keep me motivated. To keep trying and pushing the limits of what I could do.
As artists, we are certainly creative and very independent thinkers. That’s what makes us so awesomely unique. But it’s what we have in common that is the real secret sauce in the recipe for success. While we are trying so hard to be different, to make something that’s truly our own, it helps to have other artistic friends along the way. People who can applaud our work and critique it with an eye that more resembles our own on a good day. Rather than a simple pass or fail, it’s much more nuanced than that. Our artist friends will find a bit that’s good and tell you about it. That bit, moves on the next painting, and all the bits after that combine to make something truly breakthrough. Sure, some days are better than others, and some feel like two steps backward. But when you look back over time, you always see the little improvements that happen along the way. It’s an incredible feeling and more than validates the importance of making something each and every day. I personally couldn’t DO it without out you, my friends. Thanks so much for being so kind and nudging me forward. And more, thanks for doing the same for all of our community of artists. We’ve much to celebrate when we flock together as loving birds of a feather.
Join Us For The February Art Challenge – Let’s Go On A Nature Hike!
Click Here To Learn More!
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Quinacridone Red, Benzimida Orange, Cobalt Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, and Payne’s Gray. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. |
 |
|
Wonderful birds, Charlie!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕
Lovely painting of the birds!
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕
You’re the friend that organizes all the events and get-togethers (aka Doodlewash and World Watercolor Month)! Thanks for all you do Charlie!
hehe! Yay! I love being that kind of friend! Thanks so much, Jill! 😃💕
You are definitely the Great Bird of the Galaxy when it comes to birds of a feather! Your kingfishers are glorious and so is this community you’ve created. I’m so glad you found the courage to put yourself out there and keep going even on the bad days.
haha! I love that title… I shall now have Great Bird of the Galaxy emblazoned on a t-shirt! 😃💕 Awesomeness! Yeah, it’s tough showing up each and every day, but soooooo worth it in the long run! My work keeps shifting forward and backward, but always goes forward in the end and it’s such a great experience. If nothing is, I hope only to set an example of what’s possible!
Beautiful birds, tho you know I’m partial to turquoise. I like the way one bird’s feathers are a bit ruffled while the other one looks quizzical.
I agree about putting yourself out there in the blog world and worrying would anyone show up. I worried also and can’t even remember if I knew those first readers and commenters who helped me build my blog, or were they kind strangers. Too bad we can’t offer cookies for early arrivals.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 yeah, I can’t help but add a bit of human characteristics, even in my realistic style. hehe… and so true! I want to give cookies and personally hug every single one of those early arrivals. It’s such an amazing gift, I want to give back!
Awesome birds, Charlie!! YAY to being unique! 💕🎨👍😃
Thanks, Jill! 😃💕 hehe.. these are rather pedestrian birds compared to your awesome and amazingly inventive ones! Glad you liked them!
Haha! ☺️ Thank you Charlie! 💕
Love your thoughts Charlie. We all need support and validation. I know I do and that is why I click on hearts for others. It may not be much, but at least that artist will know that there is at least one other who thinks their art is noticeable. Someone who might appreciate the next offering ……and the next…..
Thanks, Rod! 😃💕 And yes to that! To me, that’s been my entire mission here. It’s lovely to have a bit of validation as we go on this scary art journey. I just hope to bring people together to help encourage each other along the way. It’s makes all the difference in the world!
Beautiful colours and thoughts, Charlie 🙂
Consider yourself validated and appreciated!
aww… consider yourself hugged!! You’ve been such a bright light in my journey, friend. Thank you for all of your encouraging and supportive comments! 😃💕
Beautiful birds Charlie
Thanks so much, Pamela! 😃💕
And now you can add painting birds to your many talents!
Aww thanks, Kaye! 😃💕 Birds are kind of tough! hehe… I always struggle a bit with them. Glad you liked them!
So true. Cute birds, Charlie.
Thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕
I love your birds!
Thanks so much, Delores! 😃💕
I LOVE these beautiful blue birds with their golden chests! ❣️And a very touching story, thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 So happy you enjoyed this one!
Charlie, I liked your comment through wordpress but it’s not showing as liked… sorry!
Good to know! I just liked this one and it seemed to work! Still probably some gremlins lurking! hehe 😉
Very lifelike drawing of kingfishers. Beautiful.
Thanks so much, Heila! 😃💕