Day 13 - #WorldWatercolorGroup - Birthday Cake Slice Watercolor - #doodlewash
By Charlie

Birthday Treats

Written by Charlie O'Shields

After babbling on about how it’s my birthday month, we’ve reached a rather special occasion in that it’s my actual birth-day. Here’s an insanely quick doodlewash of some cake as I’m rushing to move to the celebration bit! A few decades ago on this particular day a little blue-eyed baby arrived and his parents named him Charlie. That was really the only name that had chosen, never Charles, it was way to formal for this kid. Somehow, they must have known by the way his eyes were sparkling that he wasn’t going to grow up to do something that would require such formality. He was already laughing at some joke they hadn’t realized they’d told and smiling as though something great was about to happen. It was. The incredible sights around him were each so new and different it was startling, but he was excited to learn about each of them. How would he ever find time to understand it all? Perhaps this is why little Charlie never quite agreed to grow up. Didn’t sound fun anyway. There were too many new treats to discover, still so much more to learn, and so many wonderful people yet to meet.

I get a little bit contemplative on my birthday. I look back on my life and wonder if I’ve done what I’d hoped I do and look forward thinking about what more I still want to accomplish. It’s exhausting really, so luckily I have a glass of champagne to accompany me on this little vision quest. All in all, I have to say that I certainly didn’t reach all of my goals and dreams, but that’s not a bad thing at all. Why wouldn’t that get me down? Because my dreams have always been so ridiculously big! Honestly, I’m not sure any human could accomplish all of the things I’ve planned for myself in my jumbled head. But my imagination is what’s gotten me through this little life. Thinking of new ideas and passionately pursuing them, only to have a handful of them turn out to be anything notable at all, has always been what drives me. I love the art of the possible. The idea that something amazing could very likely happen if only this or that would happen as well. The sheer thought of that amazing thing actually taking place is so vivid in my imagination it’s as though it actually happened. Or maybe I’m just crazy, that’s entirely possible as well.

But on this rather auspicious day of my birth, I’m incredibly happy. I’ve met hundreds of artists across the globe and hope, in my small way, given them a stage to promote their amazing works. This thrills me! When I think back to that time when this thing called the Internet was just gaining traction, the first vision I had, was to create a gallery for artists. That was it. Nothing about me at all. I wasn’t even painting at the time. I wanted to be a curator, finding and showing the best art I could discover. I never made that site, but it’s now occurred to me that I did manage to eventually make this one. And so, sometimes, those dreams we envision come in a form that we never quite imagined, but they do actually come true. Thanks so much to you all for being part of this journey and dream. And a special thanks to the lucky winners of today’s giveaway! It was so much more fun to share my birthday gifts with you! No matter how much delicious cake I have on this day, it’s the people in my life, near and far, that will always and forever be the absolute best birthday treats.

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About the Doodlewash

Sennelier L’Aquarelle: Quinacridone Gold, Phthalocyanine Blue, Dioxazine Purple, Burnt Sienna, and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al-Star Fountain Pen – Extra Fine, with Platinum Carbon black ink in an A6 Hahnemühle Watercolor Book.
  Day 13 - #WorldWatercolorGroup - Birthday Cake Slice Watercolor - #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!

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55 thoughts on “Birthday Treats”

  13. I am wondering if you are part hobbit. It is their custom to give gifts on their birthday. And I’m wondering what kind of cake you get for your birthday. I gather today’s doodlewash cake is “a cake” rather than your actual “birthday cake” , since it was done before dashing off to celebrate. I’m guessing it will have chocolate on it or in it.

    Having no cake at hand, I shall celebrate your birthday with Irish coffee and a cookie. Here’s to you, Charlie, way to go, happy birthday!

    Reply

      1. It would have to be a very small part. I couldn’t resist that one. I believe in a post somewhere you mentioned you are tall, 6 foot I’m thinking, and of coarse hobbits are small. Was I right about the chocolate?

        Reply

        1. Yeah, I’m actually 6 foot 2, so I’d be the world’s largest hobbit, which would be sort of cool as well! As for chocolate… actually… that’s Philippe’s fave, but I love white cake with white icing. Like a wedding cake, only without having to actually attend a wedding.

          Reply

  20. Happy Birthday, Charlie! We’re on the same wavelength! I’ve just written a post about growing up (or not) and now I read this! Hope you enjoyed your champagne and celebrations – and you’re right… you have created a magnificent art gallery right here.🎨🖼☺

    Reply

  22. You’re a year younger than you were last year, just like me! I hope you had a splendid birthday! Hmm, how big must this scrummy cake have been to give an equal slice to all your followers? What a thought! 😉

    Reply

  23. Such a delightfully bubbly and happy Happy Birthday! You make your readers, especially this one, smile a lot! MANY best wishes to you!

    Reply

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