Written by The year I was born, a movie came out called Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I was too young, of course, to see it at the time, but later I would learn that it was based on a book with an even cooler title – Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Yeah, it had my name in it! This book was penned by Roald Dahl who would later become one of my favorite authors. The premise of the story, for those who don’t know, is that a poor child named Charlie Bucket is told a tale by his Grandpa Joe about an eccentric chocolate maker named Willy Wonka. Wonka was worried about “chocolate spies,” as apparently such a thing existed, so he sealed off his factory, never to be seen again. Until one day, the newspaper announced that the infamous chocolatier was opening his factory once more to just five children lucky enough to find a golden ticket in a Wonka Bar. Charlie found a ticket, of course, and was launched into a wild and weird adventure! And since actual Wonka Bars were also launched the year I was born, I’ve grown up with them, and have always wished I could be like the storybook Charlie, finding that golden ticket.
The story has been reproduced in film versions a couple of times, but I still prefer the book. Dahl’s wonderfully wicked wit is evident on each and every page. In its original form, however, it faced a bit of controversy. The Oompa-Loompas, who were workers in the factory, were portrayed as an amiable tribe of black pigmies, imported by Wonka from ‘the very deepest and darkest part of the African jungle where no white man had been before.’ After the release of the first film, which portrayed them as bizarrely orange characters, Dahl was challenged about the political correctness of his original vision. His publishers decided that version was no longer acceptable and they turned into hippies with ‘rosy-white’ skin. By the time I was old enough to read the book, all had been corrected and the main magic of the story was once again the focus. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a chocolate factory and the idea that dreams, no matter how far-fetched, really can come true for those with enough childlike wonder to continue to believe in them.
This message has stuck with me into adulthood. If I’m ever in doubt about my dreams, I just think back to this story and how keeping a child’s mindset can make everything magic once more. Adult life can often feel so daunting as we try to force our will on things that we want to happen next. Sometimes, it’s as simple as believing in the idea of a golden ticket. A chance to get something wonderful, just by believing it’s possible and being in the right place at the right time. And if you’re here tonight, that could quite possibly be you! For this post, I’m giving away 9″x12″ blocks of Stonehenge Aqua from Legion Paper (this one is for U.S. residents only) to the first 10 artists who haven’t yet gotten one of these! Simply comment below with “Dreams Really DO Come True!” and let me know whether you prefer hot or cold pressed paper. I’ve always been a dreamer. Life just seems better when you imagine it in a slightly more magnificent way. And I know, that one day, I’ll achieve all those dreams that are waiting in the background for me. They may not be granted in the form of a Wonka Bar, but they’ll happen in their own due time. That’s just a little something I learned, years ago, from my favorite book.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Cadmium Yellow Medium, Da Vinci Red, Ultramarine Blue, Terra Cotta, Burnt Sienna Deep, Opus (Vivid Pink), Ultramarine Violet, Da Vinci Orange, and Quinacridone Gold. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. |
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Dreams Really DO Come True! Thanks for this opportunity! If I am chosen, I would like to try hot press.
Awesome Stewart! You are chosen! 😃 💕 Send me a note here with your full name and address and I’ll have some paper sent your way: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Dreams really do come true! I don’t know if I win before or not. But I love your book choice! I must say, it figured from dessert guy. Lol!!
I looked back, and I did win, so ignore me. But I stand behind dessert guy! Ha!
hehe!! I can never ignore you my friend!! 😃💕 And yep… got ya down for this one. And glad you like my book choice! hehe
Dreams Really DO Come True! Yes, Charlie! I want some Willy Wonka chocolate!
I’d love either. Thanks Charlie!
hehe! I’m totally craving chocolate after this one!! And yay!! You get a sample! 😃 💕 Send me a note here with your full name and address and I’ll have some paper sent your way: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Charlie, I’m in Canada, so understand this is just for U.S. residents. Ratz. Oh well, someone else will be lucky!
Yeah, just for this one! Be sure to check my posts for Hahnemühle and the currently running giveaway as those are open to Canada! 😉
Dreams really do come true. I hope they all do for you. You are going in the right direction. We all have dreams, even as adults and that’s a good thing.
The chocolate bar sure looks good. 😊
Thanks so much, June!! 😃💕 Yay! Chocolate is so tough to paint to look appetizing! lol
Dreams really DO come true!! 😍🎨👍 Enjoyed your magical story Charlie! Love your imagination! 💕 And hot or cold press paper is fine – surprise me! 🌈☺️
Thanks so much, Jill!😃💕 Sorry for the delay, but your comment was lurking my Spam folder… what the heck?! hehe But Yay! Dreams DO come true and I’ll have some paper sent your way!!
Thanks Charlie! 😍 So nice of you! 💕🎨
I have loved that book and the movies too so was delighted to hear of your appreciation for it! How marvellous that you realize one of the ways to be joyous is to retain our childlike wonder!
I’ve already got one of these coming I believe, so will withhold my entry. 🙂
Thanks so much, Von! 😃💕 Yes to never losing our childlike wonder! (and yep! I have you down to receive one of these!)
A classic.
Totally, Nikki! One of my faves! 😃💕
Dreams Really DO Come True! I’d like cold pressed, please. 😀
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was one of my favorite books as a kid too, though I’ll admit to liking Matilda slightly more.
Yay! Glad you’re a fan too, Kaitlyn😃💕… and yep… Matilda is definitely on my list. This one only wins because my name is in the title! LOL And I’ll have some paper sent your way!
Dreams Really DO Come True! I love the way you blended the shadow on the back edge of the candy bar. Great technique, and a great story to boot!
I forgot to say, if I am selected, I’d like the hot press. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Babs!! So glad you liked this! 😃💕 And you are chosen! 😃 💕 Send me a note here with your full name and address and I’ll have some paper sent your way: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
0h.. if I’m chosen I’d prefer hot pressed please. That is: if dreams really do come true.
Dreams really DO come true, Kaye!! 😃💕 I’ll have some paper sent your way!
Dreams really do come true – I think I won (but didn’t receive – a while back) whatever works… just ate a sees candy ! Chocolate is my drug of choice😬 Either hit or cold if I m eligible
Yay to that kind of drug, Karen!! LOL And just a note… there were some delays in shipping World Watercolor Month prizes, but they’ll be on their way shortly. And yay! 😃💕 I’ll have some paper sent your way!
you are too kind my friend!!
Dreams Really Do Come True…. I do believe that. Cold press if I get lucky. Your blogs are always so good, Charlie. I have read most over the past couple of weeks. Life has gotten busy and I haven’t been writing many responses. Thanks for the inspiration to paint everyday.
Aww you’re so sweet to say that!! Thanks so much Mary! 😃💕 And you actually got lucky last week so there should be some paper heading your way soon!
Thanks, Charlie.
Dreams really do come true. Cold press if I am eligible. Love this story and now I want a Wonka bar. 🙂
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕 And yay! I don’t have you down for this type of paper yet, so I’ll have some sent your way!
Yay! Thank you so much. It has so much fun playing new papers.
Dreams Really DO Come True! I don’t know if I’m still eligible, but I’d like the cold press!
Btw, your wonka bar looks so tasty!
Thanks so much, Agatha! 😃💕 I added the bit I forgot to the post about this one being for U.S. residents only… sorry about that. I can usually get sponsors to ship worldwide during World Watercolor Month, but the rest of the year it’s mostly U.S. and Canada. 😊
Aww! I was mostly curious because I’ve never heard of Legion Paper before. Thanks for letting me know!
Dreams Really DO Come True!
I’d like to try hot pressed if I’ve won please :).
Yes to that, Gina! 😃💕 And I believe you’re in Canada, correct? This one is U.S. only for this sponsor. But if you haven’t yet, be sure to enter the current giveaway I have going that’s US/Canada here – https://dwsh.co/2vVXpze
I have a 3 and half year old great grandson and I’m reliving all kinds of imaginary adventures. We went on a grand rhubarb hunt the other day armed with scissors and a special trug to carry home the loot. Today he made a river and waterfalls in the middle of his mothers garden while I was minding him. Mud all over his face, hands pants and shoes, but that’s what Gr’grma’s are for right? “Dreams Really DO Come True!” I’d love to try some new paper.
Awww I love that story, Jan!! 😃💕 What a wonderful age… hehe… and yep! That’s totally what Grandmothers are for!! This sponsor only ships to U.S. addresses, but check in this Thursday for one that’s open to Canada. Also, if you haven’t yet, there’s a paint and paper giveaway going here – https://dwsh.co/2vVXpze
Thanks for the heads up Charlie. I have occasional issues with chronic pain and chocolate is my drug of choice!
Dreams Really DO Come True!
I’m probably way too late, but it can’t hurt to try.
If I have managed to score something, I will take the cold press.
Great job by the way; ready to eat!
Thanks so much Craig!! 😃💕 You’re not too late actually! Send me a note here with your address and I’ll have some paper sent your way: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Dreams Really DO Come True! I’d like cold pressed, please. 😊
Yes to that, Hanten! 😃💕 And this one for U.S. only, but check back this Thursday for one that includes Canada – and also, if you haven’t yet, there’s a paint and paper giveaway to enter here: https://dwsh.co/2vVXpze
I guess I’m late, and not sure if it’s open internationally, but dreams really do come true!
That is one of my all-time favourite books and movies too! I can’t say how often I think to myself “We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams” whenever I want to do something unconventional 🙂. Roald Dahl was a genius in all his books! Another favorite is Danny Champion of the World, which so uncharacteristically has no literal magic, but is absolutely magical story all the same! I could go on and on about this topic, but I’ll stop now and go back to sleep 😊. Beautiful painting by the way!
Yep, this one is only U.S. and most things after World Watercolor Month are US/Canada – But I’m still working on getting something more international before next year! 😉 I LOVE that quote! It’s fantastic! 💕So happy a Dahl fan as well! That’s so cool!!
Dreams Really DO Come True! I love cold press!
Yes to that, Kyra!! 😃💕 Your comment was trapped my spam folder for some reason, but if you see this reply, then send me a note here with you full name and address, and I’ll have a sample sent: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Dreams Really Do come true!
sometimes in the form of a great story on a sleepless night.
Yes to that!! 😃💕 And yay to free stuff! I still have samples to give away!! Send me a note here with you full name, address, and paper preference (hot or cold pressed): https://doodlewash.com/contact/
I didn’t know about the controversy of the book, though I much preferred it to the movie version. Even with Gene Wilder, it was too preciously bizarre while the book focused more on integrity.
I agree! I did love the movie, but it was all about bizarre and lost a little from the book. 😉
Roald Dahl is always a good choice! (K)
Thanks, Kerfe!! So happy you agree! 😃💕
I am neither an artist or a writer or a blogger, but I love “Doodlewash”! You are a talented watercolor artist and an amazing writer. I stumbled upon “Doodlewash” through Jodi’s delightful blog and clicked into your world. I have never commented because, well, I’m not a painter of anything. However, I feel that I must tell you that I LOVE visiting here. Thank-you!
What an absolutely wonderful note to receive!! Thank you SO much Ellen! 😃💕 I’m so thrilled you found Doodlewash and you’re completely welcome!! This is a place for anyone who finds they enjoy it! And I’m totally happy that you do!!
I LOVE this movie. Mystery, sadness, joy etc. experienced makes it a favorite.
Yep!! It was crazy and had everything in it! Even music… which I loved! 😉💕
Dreams reall do come true!
Yes they do!! 😃💕 And I have one last sample to give away!! Send me a note here with your address, and paper preference (hot or cold pressed): https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Dreams really DO come true! Cold-pressed. I fell in love with the story too as a kid, when I first seen the movie. But, still have not read the book.lol
Aww I’m so happy you’re a fan of this story as well! 😃💕 You should totally read the book!! hehe … and I’m out of free samples for this post, but keep checking back!!
Dahl had one of those brains that I wish I could have peered inside of. So much magic!