Written by They say that life is just a bowl of cherries, so I figured that would be fitting for today’s art challenge prompt. An entire bowl of cherries is rather tough to quickly doodlewash so this one is best viewed at a nice safe distance. In truth, when someone says that “life is just a bowl of cherries” it is sometimes meant in a humorous way to mean exactly the opposite. Things don’t always go as we might have planned. But the 1931, Rudy Vallée summed it all up best lyrics of all, “Life is just a bowl of cherries, So live and laugh at it all.” Sage advice really, since even when things don’t go as we hoped they might, life is always pretty darn wonderful. There are so many surprises along the way. The things we wished could happen are often happily transformed into things we never really thought would happen. This is when life is at its most incredible and interesting. So, I’ve always adopted a style of living that includes a very healthy dose of simply living and laughing at all life has to bring. Even in the saddest of times, there’s a glint on the horizon that, if we focus on it, will reveal something beautiful.
I’ve also been extremely busy these last few days preparing for the awesomeness that is World Watercolor Month, which returns in just 10 or 11 days depending on where you are in the world. Step one is to stock the World Watercolor Month Souvenir Shop with lovely things to purchase. This year, our Artist Ambassadors have offered up beautiful limited editions carry all pouches and as always, 100% of proceeds on these items goes to The Dreaming Zebra Foundation to get art supplies for kids who need them! I’ve pulled the shop onto Doodlewash this year so twice as much goes to charity. These products are only available for a limited time, so if you’re feeling generous and want something unique and gorgeous, then by all means, shop now! I’m normally a bit shy about promoting my shop in these posts, but when it comes to getting more kids to paint, it gets a lot easier. My absolute passion is to help as many children as possible have a chance at experiencing art. So many of us remember what that memory is like and it’s why we’ve taken up painting again as adults. Please join me in making a ton of little dreams come true this year! Little Charlie can’t thank you enough!
When it comes to cherries, I would be remiss not to mention a favorite book that sat on our coffee table in the 70’s by the late Erma Bombeck. This one was entitled If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits? and was a humorous gem, capturing all of the wonderful things about family life. As it turns out, not much has really changed. Life is silly and often a bit crazy and that’s precisely why it’s so worth living. It’s like one of those incredible novels labeled as a “page-turner.” The kind you simply can’t put down because you absolutely must know what happens next. Spoiler alert, the next bit is even more amazing than the last. That is, when you can smile your way through it and look for all of the beauty that exists there. If you’re an artist, you might simply yawn at that revelation. After all, each bit of light and shadow is an exhilarating mystery waiting to be solved for you. The very moment we put pen and/or brush to paper is the moment we realize in full, that yes, life indeed, is just a bowl of cherries.
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Quinacridone Red, Leaf Green, Terra Cotta, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Photo Reference: Matthew Romack. |
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Full of wisdom, as always Charlie. Yes, let’s smile and eat the cherries on top! (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕Yay to just smiling on as we pile cherries on top! hehe
As always, you’re right on. And the best thing about the cherry analogy is that even when you’re in the pits, you just have to remember that’s where the future cherries grow. I love Erma Bombeck’s writing!
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 So true!! Those future cherries are the best of all. And Erma Bombeck was just awesome! hehe… so many wonderful family memories!
what a beautiful bowl of cherries charlie o! You know – after a long day at the office – I went to my art room after dinner and just played. Afterwards, I told hubby how wonderful it was to just play. Probably didn’t create anything wonderful, but what joy it brought me to play. Why/when do we loose that feeling? It truly is growth and where dreams and miracles happen. Sooo excited to be a part of the #worldwatercolor month artist ambassador team this year. Loving the yellow canary pouch! Not only is it art… it is hope – for kiddos who might not otherwise know…. and it is a special memory of a very dear friend… and it is a reminder – of what is important in life. Thank you for the privilege and honor and opportunity to participate. xo Hugs
Aww sooooo thrilled you’re an Artist Ambassador this year, Jodi! 😃💕 Hehe… so many things have happened since we first met. And I’m so thrilled we met. It’s been such a fun journey and you’ve made it so incredibly special. I can’t thank you enough for being such a wonderful and encouraging friend! And here’s to always remembering what’s most important in life! ❤️
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It’s a beautiful cherries bowl.loved chrrier.
Good story as yes waiting for July our 💓 fastival of art.
Thanks Charlie.
Thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕 July is going to be so amazing!!
Cherries look good enough to eat!
Thanks so much, Sharon!! 😃💕
As a teen living in Door County, Wisconsin, I made summer money by working either picking cgerries, or in a cherry factory sorting the bad cherries from the good ones as they went past on a conveyor belt. Those sound like horrid jobs, but in reality, they could be fun with the right crew working with you. Sometimes you had to search for the fun, but it was there under the hair nets and in the pocket money earned to be spent at the county fair in August!
hehe… that’s an awesome story, Lisa! 😃💕 I totally agree! Even jobs deemed mundane are made awesome and extraordinary by the people you share them with!
Lovely, Charlie and spot on.
Thanks so much, Mary!! 😃💕
” After all, each bit of light and shadow is an exhilarating mystery waiting to be solved for you. The very moment we put pen and/or brush to paper is the moment we realize in full, that yes, life indeed, is just a bowl of cherries.”
Yes!!
Those cherries have my mouth puckered. If it were winter, I’d prefer a cherry cobbler, but I think
today I will have a cherry tart. (after I snitch a couple from that shiny glass bowl, just to satisfy my
taste buds which are fairly dancing in anticipation.)
Thanks so much, Sarah! 😃💕So thrilled you liked this one! And YES to cherry cobbler! Honestly.. you can cobbler just about anything and I’m in. LOVE IT!