Tonight I’m running super late, so we have this lightening quick little doodlewash of a kite for today’s prompt. This is a wildly difficult prompt on hindsight and I didn’t really know what to do with it to make it interesting. I asked Philippe for his suggestion and he immediately launched into a story of remembering a very simple kite he had as a kid. Though from Paris, his parents had purchased a kite in the United States that he still remembered. It was simple with no grand patterns, but was sturdy and well-built. He was only a toddler when he was first visiting here with them during that purchase, but would later enjoy the kite they had bought on that journey. I was fascinated by his story, because the kites I had here as a kid were not so well constructed and more flimsy than he described. His kite was a masterpiece in his description while my memory of a kite was something wrapped in plastic from the drugstore. Perhaps I didn’t have the right kite flying experience to enhance the memory. Our memories are often just literal when they’re not attached to a moment that was particularly amazing.
When there’s a fun experience attached to something it can elevate the mundane to towering heights. My little plastic sled that I used as a child was something of legend, for example. The moments I remember sliding down a hill of snow are exciting and riveting! When it came to flying kites, I was mostly just terrified it would fly away. Exhilarating, yes, but mostly I was holding on for dear life. There were those moments where I felt incredible, though. The moment when the wind would simply hold the kite perfectly in the air and not violently thrash it about. This little moment was definitely something I remember, but the rest was all a bit frightful. I’ve often seen kites in the stores and thought about trying it again as an adult. Perhaps, it might be different now and a fun way to conquer that crazy wind. But, I’ve never quite tried it yet. It’s definitely on my list of things to do next.
Lately, I’ve been busier than I would like and find myself always trying to keep up with the day. In many ways, I feel a bit like a kite being thrashed about and trying to right itself in the oncoming gusts. But, I always know that even on the windiest of days, there will always be a calm after the storm. And no matter how busy my day may seem, it’s always possible to show up with a quick little watercolor. Sure, it may be quick and unassuming, but it’s a little something I made that day. And that always makes me very happy. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life it’s that you have to always take a bit of time to do the things you love most. It’s never a choice, it’s something that simply has to happen. So, yes, I must rush off and finish the other things are still demanding my time, but had to pop in to post my little entry for the day. It’s always possible to show up and make some art, even on the days when it feels like you’re just blowing in the wind.
Join Us For The April Art Challenge – Like A Kid Again!
Click Here To Learn More!
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Benzimida Orange, Cobalt Tuquoise, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia 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! |
![]() |
Your post brought to mind so many happy memories of flying a kite as a child, with my dad and brother. (Somehow, this was something we always did with Dad, and not with Mom.) That’s a beautiful sky you painted – looks like a windy day with fast-moving clouds.
Thanks so much, Sharon!! I’m so happy this brought back such wonderful memories! That sounds so fun! 😃💕
And one of the things that I feel must always happen in my day is to pop in and see what you’ve popped in with! I love your rambles, and even your simplest paintings, like this kite, are wonderful!
That’s such a sweet thing to say! Thank you Sandra! 😃💕Comments like this keep me coming back for more! I can’t thank you enough!
I never really got kite flying. I wanted it to be fun and exciting, but all I remember is a lot of running into the wind dragging a paper triangle on the ground and broken sticks😁😁! My father and brother made a fancy smancy box kite once. That never got off the ground either. Lol
Lol! So true, Lisa! My memories are the same! It was all a little bumbling and crazy. hehe… but all still very memorable! 😃💕
Yes kite flying is a fastival here.in jan.
This is grand function I know How to fly n cut to others.haha .
U picked good topic n nice kite
Thanks for sharing.
That sounds like an amazing festival, Snehlata! So happy you liked this one! 😃💕
The word lightening and kite in the same sentence made me think of Ben Franklin, I’m pretty sure his wasn’t as vibrant as yours though.
haha! That’s awesome…I didn’t even notice that one. I should have painted a Ben Franklin kite… that might have been cooler! 😉
Your kite painting says free and colorful to me – love it! Your narrative of Philippe’s kite experience, and your kite and sled experiences are thought provoking as to how we remember them. As you say, it’s important take time to do the things we love – glad you did because I enjoy your posts.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 I’m so thrilled you like this post! Yeah, it’s interesting to compare memories… I always learn something new!