Today, we’ve reached the end of the week and the middle of this month’s art challenge. Flip flops are definitely an icon of summer, but I like to include them in prompts occasionally as they are also rather a challenge to sketch. It seems lots of people I know are currently visiting or have plans to visit a beach this summer. I do not, so I have to live vicariously through their photos on Facebook as they squint into an impossibly bright sky with huge smiles on their faces and tropical drinks in their hands. Don’t get me wrong, I’m super happy for them, but my attempts to get Philippe to plan a beach vacation with me were less than successful. The idea is thrilling were teleportation an option, but going through the trouble to actually plan it and then the follow through steps of seeing the price tag and ponying up the funds to pay for it, always leave us staying at home. While we did manage to walk on a California beach recently, it’s now been so long since I actually swam in a ocean, I have begun to wonder if it was all just a dream in the first place.
But, no, it was quite real I’m sure of it. That time I went snorkeling for an entire day off an island near Puerto Rico. I have the photos to prove it. The sad part is that this has now been more than 15 years ago and I’m not sure I even understand the concept of snorkeling anymore. But I will, to this day, happily tell people how much I love to do it. I’m sure I still would if the chance ever presents itself again. It was an amazing and memorable experience. There are so many life experiences that I’ve had like that. The ones so enjoyable that in that moment I swear to myself that I’ll be doing this again soon. And then curse myself later for still not having done so. In my defense, the list is insanely long now and a bit impossible to prioritize. I’ve had wonderful trips filled with fabulous stories and unforgettable memories. So I never worry too much when they don’t repeat themselves exactly. There will always be another trip that will generate wonderful new stories of its own.
Yet, I think I’ll have to make a beach trip more of a priority as each time I sketch an object relating to one, my heart does that little thing one’s heart does when they really miss something. I’ll have to be more persuasive and get a trip going in the next year. But, I’m equally happy when I’m simply in my own home, and this only adds to the challenge. Also, I rather miss my dog when I’m gone. I’m sure were Phineas smaller so he could travel on the plane with us, and more well-behaved so we could actually take him anywhere it would make the decision easier. He’s just not one of those dogs that always wants to be by your side at all times. I’ve no idea what dreams are spinning through his head, but they’re rather pressing and he’ll go off in search of them and would forgot that he was actually on a vacation with us. But, as we head into another weekend, I’m happy to be spending it at home with my little family, doing what we normally do in all its mundane goodness, and simply dreaming of the beach.
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Cobalt Turquoise, Terra Cotta, 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! |
 |
|
Creator of Doodlewash®, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group™, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing daily watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world! If you’d like to be a guest artist on Doodlewash.com, contact me!
I’m so glad that I’m only a couple of hours away from the ocean, so it’s a fairly cheap getaway and we visits 2-3 times a year. It’ cold though, so not great for swimming. That’s okay by me – I’ve never been much of a swimmer. I’m content with beach walks, whale watching and having the ocean sing to me all night long.
Aww I long that idea… having the ocean sing to you all night long! Love it! Yes, that’s one of the best parts! 😃💕
Love the Gulf if Mexico, warm mostly peaceful waters. A trip to the beach is restorative.and Anna Maria Island is a beautiful place to visit. Phineas could fly down sitting on your lap….I was recently on a flight from Sarasota to Atlanta and the woman two seats in front of me had a full grown Labradoodle in her lap for the 90 minute trip. Phineas appears to be much smaller than a Labradoodle. On second though…I don’t think I would subject any animal to that.
Yes, the Gulf is truly beautiful! 😃💕 and hehe… Yeah, I’m positive Phineas would not be a very calm companion for 90 minutes like that. 😊lol
Great job on the flip flops – they look to me as though they’re in very shallow, sandy water. I’m definitely a beach person – my family often made the 45 minute trip to Malibu during the summer. When i was young and single, I had an apartment walking distance to Santa Monica beach – it was the best. Marriage and buying a house meant moving inland (where prices are more affordable.) Our house is a 45 minute drive from the beach, but we went there often when the kids were home, and now that we are retired. My husband I went yesterday! It was a bit overcast, but still fun. June is not the best beach month in So Cal.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 And yay for living so close to the beach. I think that would be amazing. We can’t even drive to one where we are (at least not in the same day! hehe). Would be wonderful to have one nearby!
“I’m sure were Phineas smaller so he could travel on the plane with us, and more well-behaved so we could actually take him anywhere it would make the decision easier.”
big grin! An honest parent…
As for the beach. I was ‘born on it’.
I miss it something fierce, but honestly, when I get there,
it’s a bit too hot to be comfortable, the water is a bit too cold,
and the suntan oil is bit too sticky. When I look at those perfect
flip flops you painted, I remember the blister I used to get from
that center piece. What is wrong with me?
Thank goodness for the adventures I enjoy vicariously through your writing and painting.
Thanks, Sarah! 😃💕 Yeah… I have to agree… as much fun as it way, there were also sunburns and other maladies that time has managed to erase a bit in my mind. 😉
When ever you are talking about beach, i also remember that story of the beach the 🦀 in my rior.
How ever story is very nice to wear sleepers.nice.charlie.as i am also going to the forest gest house with the family.
Thanks
Thanks, Snehlata! 😃💕 hehe… the beach is wonderful, but yes, best not to take crabs back to the room with you! 😉
What about renting one of those self contained campers and drive to a camping area near the shore, take phinneas with you and go for walks with family and dog. It’s less expensive than getting a hotel and more fun because your dog is with you too.
Yeah, I did consider that… but do they have full showers and a toilet? 😉 Yeah… my version of roughing it isn’t really roughing it at all. lol 😊
Yes, they do. We have that luxury in ours 🙂
hehe! Yay! I’m in then! 😉
yay!!
Since I became a wheelchair person, one of the things I miss the most is being a beach bum. I grew up in lake Michigan and spent so much time on the water it is surprising that I don’t have gills. So my advice to you is get thee to a beach! The future can be a fickle thing, so do stuff now! No regrets later.
Excellent advice, Lisa! 😃💕I shall get me to the beach and plan that trip! I like the idea of growing gills, though, would come in very handy. 😉
Your Doodlewash has an air of mystery today – why are these flip flops buried? Who left them behind? There is something alluring about water, especially the ocean.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, I thought it ended up looking like a book cover for a light summer mystery beach read.
One of my favorites of yours so far! Beach gurl born and bred!
And so THANKFUL to be back on Doodlewash!
Aww thanks, Kate! Glad you liked this! 😃💕And yay! I’m so thankful you’re back on Doodlewash as well!! Missed you!!
These flip flops are so fun all covered in sand. There is nothing like being at the beach for sure. I do hope you
get there some time soon. These days I seem to enjoy walking the beach at sunset more. It’s the best place to be with the sounds of the ocean splashing against the rocks and the sky changing colors as the sun goes down. No place like it!!
Thanks so much, June! 😃💕I love that sunset on a beach! So magical! I agree, I don’t have to jump in the ocean, but just being next to it is a fabulous thing indeed!