Written by For Day 27 of #WorldWatercolorMonth and our prompt of “Fruits,” I had strawberries on the brain. In truth, I meant to pick some up today while Philippe and I were out shopping, as I thought they would be perfect for this prompt. But, I got distracted as is often prone to happen with me and came home without them. So, I had to use references instead, because once I had strawberries on the brain, it was all I wanted to sketch. This is, however, the exact colander we own and what it might have looked like in our kitchen if I didn’t have the attention span of a small child. Though the fruit would have been fresh and wholesome, the idea was to combine them with whipped cream, of course. Thankfully, dessert is not lost as I still have some homemade ice cream that I made in the freezer and Philippe still has some homemade waffle cones that he made a few days ago. My inner child is literally doing backflips at this moment making it difficult to type or indeed focus on anything at all. And my adult is thinking, the strawberries and cream idea would have been just a bit better choice for the waistline.
It’s been a lovely weekend so far, in that it’s been rather relaxing. Tomorrow we are going to the dinner theatre with friends, but actually during the afternoon for lunch instead. They don’t change the name to “lunch theatre” as that just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Philippe and I are all about matinee shows, though, since we love being back in our home during the evening hours. Truly, we have no concept of what they call “night life” as I’m rather sure it doesn’t refer to spending the evening at home with your dog. Though, our dog Phineas is rather thrilled for the evening hours as this is when he gets his “things.” This is what we refer to as his food, treats, hip supplement disguised as a treat, and the finale of a tooth cleaning treat call a Greenie. The last bit is what he wants most so he’s perfectly irritating most of the evening trying to push us to this singular moment. We started to refer to this special time as “Thingsgiving” and it’s definitely his favorite part of the day. Even though that last treat is meant to clean his teeth, Philippe doesn’t like to take any chances, so he brushes Phineas’ teeth himself just before we go to bed. When our vet inspects him during checkups we always get a wide-eyed look and a comment of “oh, wow, his teeth are absolutely perfect!”
Our life is not filled with things that one would call exciting. But that’s all relative. In life, it all depends on what excites you personally. What little things spark your imagination and fills your heart with glee. In my life, it’s the simplest of things, and I don’t really crave anything more elaborate. I’ve often wondered about the term “thrill seekers,” referring to people who do the most incredible and sometimes dangerous things. To me, I think I am a thrill seeker, yet it presents itself in a far more usual fashion. For me, life is beautiful, and the journey incredible, just in the act of living it. Perhaps its my artist’s mindset that makes me view nearly everything I DO as something wonderful and interesting. I’m just generally fascinated by everything life has to offer. It doesn’t take that much to thrill me. Each day has some new little thing that sparks my creativity and makes me happy to be alive. I’m sure there’s merit in seeking a different life if one’s life is unhappy, but when you’re truly content in life, all of the thrills come from within. That space in the heart that says, “yes, this is exactly all I need in this moment.” And, that’s the space I love most. The one filled with hope, joy, and, when I’m particularly lucky, fresh strawberries.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Quinacridone Red, Leaf Green, Cobalt Turquoise, Terra Cotta and Cobalt Blue. 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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I love how you painted the strawberries behind the wire mesh. Big yes to strawberries with whipped cream for me!
I was thrilled to get my local fresh strawberries last month! I made jam, and I froze some for January when they will taste just like summer. My cleaning girl, and her sister, my gardening girl were here today. They did my house chores and weeded my gardens for a couple of hours. There are five kids in the family, and these are the last two. I’m going to miss them like crazy when they are all grown up. I’ve had them working for me for around 14 years now. That’s a long time. They feel like nieces and nephews now.
Oh my goodness! 14 years?? They’re totally family now!! That’s wonderful! 😃💕I’m sure you will miss them when they go.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕Yay to whipped cream on top! I can still see it there even though I didn’t paint it! hehe
Wow, you put two prompts in one. This could go for metallic too but I know you will want to draw another one!!!😁 That collander looks so real. Not to mention how very delicious the strawberries look. And I agree, the simplest things in life are truly the best things!
Thanks, June! 😃💕 lol… you know, I make these prompts and then forget them. I go to look for the next one and then forget the one after that! hehe… so yes, this would have worked! But, any chance to paint a bit of metal and I’m in so I have something different for today!
I cheated today and used a gold metallic pen..Yikes!!!
Lol… cheat away! I don’t like rules… so I figure I’m probably cheating all of the time. 😉
Your strawberries look tasty. Our farm stand strawberry season has passed. Blueberries have been good. I did get the hostas sketched today so the deer can go for it now. The heat and humidity are on the rise again so it is good I went out this morning. Enjoy your dinner theater.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕Yay for sketching hostas! Yeah, the heat and humidity is back here as well, so it was fun to spend the day inside a cool theatre!
Charlie, your strawberries are so yummy looking and I love that colander. I simply don’t know how you get that sheen in you stainless and have also noticed how great you paint glass. I could eat some strawberries right now! Ha Nice you are having such a great weekend. The simpler things in life are so much more relaxing, fun and rewarding.
Thanks, Janna! 😃💕Yay to the simpler things! And glad you like my metal and glass paintings! It’s just all about contrast, but the ink sketch is a secret ingredient to get that quickly! 😉
Wow! There can be no greater demonstration of a dog’s love for man, than a Basenji that will let someone brush his teeth, lol! And as a note – I’d have the strawberries and whip cream IN the waffle cone. Alas! I have none of these things! Just as well – I pigged out with ice cream on hubby’s birthday.
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 It’s it wild? Each nice the dog gets up on the chair at the same time without being asked. They have a bond I will never fully understand! lol And yay to strawberries and whipped cream IN a waffle cone. I’ve made a note and Philippe and I will definitely be trying that SOON!
Your food always makes me need a snack. I don’t have strawberries either, but I do have ice cream! (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕Ice cream works! Actually, I have to admit that given a choice between the two, I would want ice cream in stock in our house first. 😊
Ah, those strawberries again! Maybe some shortcake too? Or chop some berries and mix them into the homemade ice cream! Such simple delights. I could never understand folks who need constant stimulus, adrenalin junkies I guess; they cannot be satisfied with what they have, and always want more. They will never find fulfillment until they stop to smell the strawberries!
hehe.. so true, Bob! 😃💕 Yeah, I love a good thrill, but it’s amazing how little it takes to thrill me. I think being content with what you have is a gift in itself. I love to DO more things all of the time, but I’m super happy already with what I already have.
I’m so glad I read this lovely, upbeat post at the end of my day as today has turned out to be especially horrible. Some days are like that and it helps to read a perspective that finds joy and appreciation in the most ordinary of things – an evening home with the people and pets we love, a basket of fresh strawberries to savor, and a space in the heart declaring this is the best moment and everything I need. Thanks, Charlie.
Aww I’m so sorry to hear you have a horrible day, Sharon. Sending you a hug! 😃💕Yeah, I tend to write like I don’t have bad days, but of course, some are better than others. But, focusing on the simple things has made my life rather amazing all of the time. Bad things happen, but I can’t dwell on them… they aren’t the things that are meant to matter most in the end.
Everything about this post is yummy–the fresh strawberries, the cozy evening at home with those you love. Thank you for sharing and reminding us that a thankful heart is full of joy overflowing. It’s in that abundance that we can share joy with others, just as you do everyday here on Doodlewash!
Aww thanks, Laura! 😃💕 Your comment makes me SO happy! Sometimes showing up is a challenge in itself, so it means the world to me to know that it mattered that I did so. I really appreciate it!
Yeah for me! Lol, I’m on a roll. Thank you ! Besides being inspired everyday, I learn something everyday with your sketches. When I click to read your post through email, it jumps me down to the second paragraph so I don’t see the picture first. When you talked about a colander, I envisioned the type with the holes in it. Then I saw your sketch and was intrigued by the wire mesh. Great way to do it. It’s going in the brain bank! Being content is such a good thing for the soul. I stayed home yesterday and was as happy as a bird with a french fry! I just might repeat it again today!
Yay! Thrilled you learn something from my sketches! 😃💕And that’s rather cool that it’s such a slow reveal of the actual sketch! lol FUN! Love that you’re happy as a bird with a french fry! lol I say when that happens, it’s definitely a sign to repeat, and repeat again! 😉
What a luscious painting and so well executed. The strainer mesh and berries look so real.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕I honestly had no idea how to paint “mesh”… I mean… seriously, it’s seems insanely tough! But, my scribble, doodle, color approach works miracles sometimes… hehe… it just quickly sorts itself out!