Written by For the 10th day of World Watercolor Month, I decided to dive back into the creative prompts for the month so today we have “pet.” This is not my pet, who’s a brindle basenji, because I’ve drawn him a few times before. Instead, we have this little corgi, because I just happen to think corgis are super cute and have often thought about getting one. My own dog, Phineas, would not be pleased with this decision as he likes being an only child, so I’ve resorted to doodlewashing one instead. I’ve decided to name her Marie Chantal, and I’m imagining that she’s walking down the runway of some posh dog show where she’s about to take the top prize.
This was also a timely choice as we’ve just come back from seeing The Secret Life of Pets which is a super fun movie! It’s a funny and highly imaginative look into what our pets do when we leave for the day. Philippe and I have often joked that Phineas is probably having little parties while we’re gone. We imagine he invites over the raccoon, who sometimes runs across our roof, and who we named, Bob, because it just seemed like a good name for one. Anytime Phineas does something a little naughty we simply look at each other knowingly and say, “Bob must have taught him that when we were gone.” Though it’s fun to pretend, if we actually came home to find a temperamental basenji playing poker with a wild raccoon, I’m not sure what we’d do. Probably just paint them on black velvet. I mean who would skip that opportunity?
Whether they have secret lives or not, pets just make our lives more fun. I’m sure Marie Chantal, were she actually real and not a watercolor figment of my imagination, would be a fabulous companion. But the idea that these little creatures possess more mental ability than we give them credit for is truly fascinating. None of this is new, of course. Pet owners always graft a human personality on their pets as that’s what makes them so fun. Though, what if we did the opposite and grafted a pet personality on humans? I think that would be super cool. A world where we were incredibly happy for the start of each new day, excited to be outside and see the world like its always the first time, and perpetually filled with a feeling of unconditional love. In the end, maybe that’s the real secret to the life of pets.
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About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Burnt Sienna, Gamboge, and Cobalt Blue. Sennelier: Opera Rose. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal.
Too damn cute!
Awww thanks so much! 😃💕
way cute!
Thanks, Margaret!! 😃💕
I want one!!!
They’re cute right?! Hehe Thanks KB! 😃
What an adorable corgi! That movie sounds fun!
Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕Totally recommend the movie!
Ohh boy! This one is damn cute 😍👍🏼
Hehe! Thanks so much, Snehal! 😃💕Glad ya liked Marie Chantal!
You know I am going to love this! SAWEET!! Way to go Charlie!
Awww thanks, Susan!! 😃💕 Corgis are just soooo adorable!! Hehe
My brothers and I used to go next door and ask if the corgi could come out and play…luckily his owner was happy to oblige! thanks for the reminder, Charlie. (K)
Awww that’s so cool, Kerfe! 😃💕I’d totally do that today of a corgi lived next door. Sadly one doesn’t though.
Any distress over the lack of Phineas is very much forgiven, going by the squeal of joy that came with opening this post! <3 How adorable! What a happy and warm little soul Marie Chantal is, projected masterfully by the lighting. Eee I think my (over)reaction is forcing me to put this up there with my all-time favourites!
Awww thanks, Jacob!! 😃So happy you liked Marie Chantal. She thanks you! Hehe
I love her! I bet Phineas would too, much as he might try and hide it at first. He’d be yodelling all over the place in serenade 😉
Yeah… he would never let us know if he actually liked her. Hehe… but secretly I do think he would!
Corgis are so cute and Marie Chantal is quite a little lady! You even painted some attitude right there lol 💜
Yeah, I imagine her with a totally attitude. Lol Glad it came through! Thanks, Sibella! 😃💕
Most welcome! 🙂
Fabulous painting and fabulous commentary! Love your imagination with all those great stories.
Awww thanks Teri!! 😃💕So glad you liked this. Yeah, I have quite an imagination. Just makes life really fun!! Or funny…either way…it’s cool!
Can’t wait to see that movie!! Sounds hilarious! Love your sweet pup painting of your imaginary corgis, Charlie! ❤️ I’d love to have a little dog to dress up but we can’t have dogs were we are at the lake. 😞 So we have a cat who often thinks he is a dog… 😂 I haven’t tried dressing him up yet. Not sure he’d agree to it! 😳 And I agree, it would be awesome if humans were more like our pets! Except for the excessive bathing and scratching…lol! 😃
Thanks, Jill! 😃💕Haha… yeah… the excessive bathing and scratching would get weird!! lol Yeah, I don’t think cats like to rock fashion like dogs though. hehe But definitely see that movie!! You’d Love it!! 😃
It’s adorable, no wonder the Queen likes them so much
I know, right? They’re such cute dogs! Thanks so much!! 😃💕
Well she sure has the swagger, as she is strutting he stuff down the run way. What a very cute corgi, and an unusual choice as they are not the most popular breed these days, unless you are the queen. Of course corgis used to be exceptional working dogs, back in the day, I guess breeding has changed their design a tad, and so they don’t tend to be seen on farms these days, or maybe that is a fashion thing to ?
No clue! They are gaining in popularity here I think… or at least I keep seeing more and more of them. None are used for work that I’ve seen though…hehe… Glad ya liked this one Rebecca! Thanks! 😃💕
Wow that is interesting, I will see if it happens here too, we usually follow suit.
Aww a cutie pie!
Thanks so much, Carrie! 😃💕
very very cute! and Charlie, I think you’re onto something about if only people would be more like some pets!
Thanks, Debi! 😃💕The movie made me wonder about that. Would be really interesting! Hehe
Sweet! I should watch the movie 🙂
Thanks! 😃💕yes you should!! It’s awesome!! Hehe
Love your idea of swapping personalities with pets. Love this painting too Charlie! Quite beautiful, you have mastered fur, you lucky pup! Happy Monday to you!
Thank Laura! 😃💕So glad you liked it… I tried to go a little looser and not be so fussy with the fur. Hehe (I didn’t allow myself to use Neutral Tint this time so that helped!) Happy Monday!
Yay!!!!!! Oh I’m so glad to hear this!!! I sometimes wonder if NT may be holding you back some. As nice as it is, don’t get me wrong.
I agree… I like the graphic feel, but it’s not at painterly as going without it. I’m enjoying playing with color mixes for shadows.
Painterly shmainterly, I’ll be really curious what develops from the change. 💛
Lovely artwork Charlie and you just prompted me to take part on day 11 🙂
YAY!! I’m thrilled to hear that, Sue! Please join us!! 😃😃
I did today and posted 🙂 so Thank YOU
Marie Chantal is working it! She’s fab.
I’m looking forward to seeing that movie. I used to wonder what my dog did all day. Now she’s old so I know she sleeps. But maybe she hangs out with the bears? My friend got a nanny cam and can now watch her dog all day. Mostly her dog sleeps all day too. 🙂
Yeah… I think my dog just sleeps all day too. Not as exciting as the movie, but it’s a super fun one! You should see it! Glad you liked Marie Chantal! Hehe… Thanks Carol!😃💕
Marie Chantal brightens the day. Corgis are lots of fun though their giant jaws can be a bit scary. Love your portrait of your pretend pet, Charlie.
Awww thanks so much, Sharon! Glad you liked Marie Chantal! 😃💕 Everything looks giant on them with those short little legs! lol
Fantastic painting…first reaction was a squeal of delight followed by “Sooooo cute!” You always paint such cute animals, and this one shines like a super-star….thank you for sharing the joy.
Awww thanks so much, Haunani! 😃💕Hehe… squeal of delight is always an awesome reaction!! Appreciate it!