Written by When I was kid, we’d always have a poinsettia plant out at Christmas. It was usually just picked up from the store, and plunked near the fireplace in whatever form it came. Festive, and perfectly colored for the season with its bright red and green leaves, it would sit there in a regal fashion until it began to wilt. The leaves would start to droop and the plant would ultimately find itself on the curb next to the Christmas tree. I always felt a bit sad for the plant, and hoped it knew that it brought a lot of joy before being tossed out like garbage. The same was true of the tree itself, and even today as we take our tree to the recycling center, I always stop and whisper, “Thanks.” But there’s plenty of time before the sad farewell since we’ve yet to even pick our tree for this year. We’ll be doing so this weekend, and I can’t wait to meet it!
We would have put up decorations last weekend were we in town, as I really like them to be up for as long as possible. But we’ll still have a good three weeks of festive lights and sparkles before the New Year comes and life is lit normally again. While I’m always excited to see a new year start, I like the moments just before. I love to look back on the year and think about all the wonderful memories that happened. And then, as the next year comes, I look forward, taking with me all the dreams I had that didn’t quite manifest themselves and all the new ones that just came to mind. The infinite possibility can be staggering, but my only hope is that some of what I dream might actually come true each year. This is the time when I take a few moments and think about all the great things that actually did manage to happen this year.
One of the most exciting is the formation of the community right here on Doodlewash! This has been a dream of mine since the site began, yet actually attempting it was quite a brave thing to try. You see, I’m not a web programmer, I’m just a watercolor illustrator with a lot of curiosity. This caused a few bumps along the way, but miraculously, everything finally managed to come together and work! Just before the holidays, I also added a store to the site, and created a way for my fellow artists to sell their beautiful watercolor works here! I’ll be adding my own stuff soon, but I always take a community first approach. Seeing all of these fabulous dreams come together has been amazing this year. Watching artists discover each other, help each other succeed, and paint the world in such a beautiful way is such a gift. And each day, as I see everyone come together here, it makes my heart smile. It may not be a particularly revolutionary thing that I’m doing here on Doodlewash, but for me, it’s definitely Christmas in a pot!
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Quinacridone Red, Leaf Green, Ultramarine Blue and Payne’s Gray. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. |
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Charlie you have accomplished amazing things this year! This community is a gift to all who take part. I look forward to your blog every day, and you never disappoint my expectations of delightful things to read and look at. Your painting today captures the textures of both plant and wrapper. I buy one very year and plant it in the yard when the season is over. Sometimes it thrives, sometimes not, but at least I try!
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Thrilled you’re loving the blog and community! Thanks so much for being a part of it! And yeah, I’m just happy if I can give a plant alive for a few weeks. I’m not good with them at all! 😊
Nice poinsettias and story. And Doodlwash, a wonderful gift to us all.
I’m so happy you think so, Mary! Thanks for being a part of it all! 😃💕
Beautiful flower and shine.
Thank you for all you have done to make Doodlewash so special for all of us. It’s a wonderful community to be part if.
Thanks, June! I’m so thrilled you’re a part of it! 😃💕
Thanks so much, June! 😃💕
Beautiful plant and story…I love doodlewash thank you…
Thanks so much, Pamela! 😃💕 I’m so thrilled you’re enjoying the community here!
Your perfectly painted poinsettia takes me back to many a Christmas! You were very brave to start up this community. Just having a small Facebook page has been a challenge for me – I can’t imagine how much work and planning a site like this must take!
Hehe… yeah, it’s far more work than I expected, but then I don’t think things through very much. I just like to leap in an have fun! 😃💕 Thanks so much for all your help… I truly appreciate it!
I love doodlewash!! I recently retired as a middle school art teacher and I’m trying to learn watercolor techniques for journaling. I look forward to your posts each day and I’m having so much fun with the December challenge. Thanks so much for doodlewash.
Aww… that makes me so happy! Thanks so much, Kathy! 😃💕Yay, to learning watercolor!! You’re definitely in the right place! Definitely check out the Forums and Groups and if you haven’t yet, log in and share your work with us!
As a December birthday gal, I have always loved poinsettia. Yours is lovely!
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕
Charlie, you do have so much to be proud of for your achievements this past year. You’ve stuck out lots of glitches, making the site work for all the people you’ve befriended. And you continue to inspire by living the motto you state – paint every day. Thanks for being you in a most stupendous way.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 I really can’t thank you enough for the comments and encouragement. It really means so much to me. It’s been a challenge, but a fun one and I’m happy to see it all coming together!
Wow…it’s beautiful…!!!!
Aww thanks so much! 😃💕
One of my artist friends gave me a Christmas cactus yesterday and I thanked her but I was inwardly thinking of how I will try to keep it alive until it blooms around Christmas. I have a “black thumb” when it comes to potted plants. So I will look at your beautiful rendering of the poinsettia every day since it is already in bloom.
a friend g
LOL… I have that same thumb! But here’s to trying at least! Thanks so much, Kaye! 😃💕
This is a wonderful community and I am delighted to be a part of it. Thank you so much for all you have done and continue to do to build Doodlewash!
I’m delighted you’re a part of it as well! Thanks so much, Delores! 😃💕
What a lovely and vibrant poinsettia! I love your foil reflections too. Enjoy tree hunting and decking the halls this weekend!
Thanks so much, Tom! 😃💕 I can’t wait to get the tree up and lit! The house just doesn’t seem quite right yet! hehe
You put your soul into your work. Such is the road to success!
I hope you have an inkling of how gifted, how blessed that you are.
Thank you for joy this site brings.
Sarah
and Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Aww thanks, Sarah! 😃💕 You have nothing to wish for… your words are a wonderful gift! Thanks so much for joining me on my journey and I wish you all the best to your and yours!
Awesome plant reflections and colorful vibrant looks Wah kya baht hen.
I enjoying this journey charlie.
Thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕 Happy you liked this!
I’m thankful for Doodlewash and the community you’ve created here. It’s fabulous! So is your poinsettia. Ours were always in that foil wrap, too.
Aww thanks so much, Susan! I’m so thrilled you’re a part of it! 😃💕
Great Doodlewash community! Great poinsettia, Charlie! You did amazing job in 2017!
Aww thanks so much, Violeta! 😃💕 And thanks for being part of the community!!