Written by Today, the sun was out for a few moments, but then would immediately hide behind lots of clouds, casting the sky into the color of “Battleship Grey,” our prompt for today. While I don’t mind rainy or cloudy days, we’ve had quite a few in a row, so the brief appearance of the sun reminded me of just how much I’ve missed it. When the clouds returned, I felt a bit less inspired and found myself wishing the sun would come back. Many days, I feel this when I show up to my sketchbook. One day things turn out just as I intended and the sun is shining brightly. The next day, it’s like I’ve forgotten how to sketch at all and I seem to be struggling more than usual. But, I’ve learned that persistence is the best art supply we have at our disposal. With it, anything is possible! And I’ve personally enjoyed showing up to see just what happens in my sketchbook every day. It’s like an improvisational performance that I’m certainly at the center of, but one where I’m often just as surprised as the audience. From my chosen subject matter to the way it quickly turns out, I’m eagerly waiting to see what might happen. That’s a wild and wonderful experience indeed.
As we head into the weekend, I’m thrilled for a little break as this was quite a busy week. Philippe and I have no plans, like last weekend, so I’m hoping for a little rest and relaxation. I’ve looked at the weather forecast and it seems that we’re in for more clouds and very little, if any, sun. But, that changes quickly here, so, it’s anyone’s guess really as to what will actually occur in the end. And, it occurs to me, that making my own bit of sun is something that’s up to me. Whenever I’m feeling a bit low or lacking inspiration, I know I can’t wait for the sun to shine again. I have to make my own spark of light that can propel me forward to DO what I want to try next. Trust me when I say, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in this wonderful art journey, showing up to DO is the most rewarding thing of all. By the way, I enjoyed my little grey bird today, and he or she as it’s really impossible to tell with grey birds was painted in only three colors. These are the colors of my “Shiny” Trio that I created for Da Vinci Paint Co, and they’re currently running a promotion where you can get my trio totally free through Sunday (with a purchase of $49 or more). So if you have some colors to fill, it’s a good time to do so!
When I was a kid, I was never really bothered by cloudy days too much. I didn’t even mind rain because it meant that I could stay inside and color in my coloring book. Or, even back then, make my own little drawings that I could color with glee. I’ve always had this strong urge to create things. To make my own mark, as it were, on the world. Yet, I’m happy creating just about anything new at all. It doesn’t have to be extravagant or some never before seen concept. Most of the time, it’s just a bit of stuff. But, it’s always stuff that didn’t exist in the moment before and it’s always in my own signature style. Not the style I worked tirelessly to evoke, but the one that was always there with me. The one I could never escape if I tried. The same sort of inimitable style that we all have. And as I see people share pages from my new Activity Book in our little Facebook Group, I’m so excited to experience all of the beautiful styles that appear! By the way, if you’re in Canada, and have been interested in my book, it’s finally on Amazon there! Whew! This has been the most rewarding journey of my life and I’m thrilled to travel on and see what happens next. And it will remain my sincere goal to make you feel the same way about your own creative journey, even on a grey day.
Want To Sketch Stuff With Me? Check Out My New Activity Book!
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Nickel Azo Yellow, Terra Cotta, and Cobalt Blue. (My “Shiny” Trio! Click Here To Get It!). Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black 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! |
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A bird always cheers me up, even grey ones. (K)
So true! A bird can make any day happy! 😃💕
Catbird! I love them. I went out bird watching early this morning and at one point a bird settled into a bush next to me and I’m looking and looking for it when it starts singing. They have a huge repertoire of songs, you can’t mistake them. And they are so shy you almost always hear them before you see them. It continues to be very birdy around here. From a high of 27 different kinds of birds in the yard in Tuesday to about 9 today. A heck of a good spring migration for me.
Thanks, LIsa! 😃💕 And yay! It is a catbird! And your bird watching sounds very successful… 27? that’s cool! I feel like we have fewer varieties where we are this year.
I love your bird. Being a nature journalist I love birds.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 Birds are really amazing… I adore sketching them and all things nature!
Me too.
I have to admit that the gray days affect me more than they did when I was young. Portland is known for the number of gray days that we have, but it just means that we enjoy the sun more when it does arrive! Of course, in my youth we used to run around screaming “What’s that in the Sky? The End is Coming!”, but with the advent of TV we know better now.
hehe! Love that story! 😃💕Yeah, I’m definitely more affected as I get older. I just want to see the sun shining out the window even if I’m not outside to enjoy it properly!
I like your gray bird. We’ve had an unusually high number of gray days this year in L.A. – I much prefer the sun.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, it seems that gray is happening a lot more in places. Guess it’s just so we’ll appreciate that sun all the more when it arrives.
(Ack – take two on leaving you a message.)
We’ve had the same gray, overcast weather here in California, as it it can’t make up its mind to rain or turn sunny. Your gray bird is a charmer, casting its head to the side and giving us a vigorous look over. I’ve also got a weekend of minimal obligations, and intend to spend most of it water coloring. I enjoy painting cards to give instead of purchasing them – a more personal tiny gift for good friends.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 And for once… California isn’t able to gloat about all that sun! hehe And I love that you make your own cards… that’s a beautiful gift to receive. How do I get on your Christmas list??!
Wishing you a sun filled and relaxing weekend!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 And the same to you my friend!
I am a pluviophile. Don’t know what that means?? I get joy out of seeing it rain. Good thing I live in Oregon right? Well I have been miserable for the past few weeks. It’s been sunny and warm lately and this weekend 90’s. So instead of spending it inside creating, I get to be in the blazing sun gardening. ;( Your little bird looks just like one of the many birds I had in my yard earlier this Spring. They’ve all left, probably too hot!
Oh wow! I learned a new word today! Yay! 😃💕 I didn’t know there was a word for that, but I guess there’s a word for everything. That’s crazy warm… yeah… I’m not a fan of anything over 90. When summer hits, I’ll be a pluviophile for sure! Hoping for a rainy break in the heat!
And do you know where I learned that word? A Hallmark movie. LOLOLOLOL!
haha!! Even better!! LOL!
Love your 🐦. As i have two pairs of buji parret . they r known as love birds.
This journey has no end.
Thanks so much lie.
Thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕 And love that you have love birds! That’s wonderful!
As a child, I never minded days where weather convinced me to stay inside, because that was where all my books and art supplies were. LOL. As an adult, it’s still where my book and art supplies are, even if I have less time to indulge.
Hehe! So true!! 😃💕 It’s a great excuse to me a kid again and stay indoors and read and sketch!