Written by Since I just painted a leaf and didn’t feel like painting one again yet, for today’s prompt of “plants” we have some grapes on the vine. Grapes are a personal favorite of mine, not only in their raw form, but also because they’re the primary ingredient in the wine I’m about to drink. Actually, on second thought, since it’s Saturday evening, I think I’ll go ahead and pour a glass right now. Be right back… Okay, that’s better. So, grapes, eh? The first thing that comes to mind beyond this wine is the Aesop’s fable about a fox and some grapes. The fox sees them on a high vine, thinks they’d quench his thirst, but after several failed attempts gets pissed and prounounces them sour. That’s the gist anyway, and why when someone acts like they don’t really want something they can’t have, we say “it’s just sour grapes.” That’s not a particulary positive fable, I know, but any story like this with a fox in it always ends up that way. Aesop apparently thought foxes were naughty.
But it’s interesting to think about the concept of sour grapes. I’ve definitely been guilty of dismissing the lavish life of a celebrity as “too much trouble and not worth it in the end.” This, of course, translates to, “damn, I wish I had that much money!” Typically, I try instead to think in terms of sweet grapes. When there’s something I want that feels unattainable, I just keep on dreaming about it like it might actually happen someday. This habit of the assuming the best instead of the worst doesn’t always work out well. I’m often disappointed by the things that didn’t happen, but I’m so busy dreaming of the next things that might happen I tend to get distracted before I could ever be sad about it. The possibilities in life always seem to enthrall me. And, truly, anything is indeed possible, it’s just that most things are highly unlikely. But that’s no reason to stop trying to achieve them. The fox simply gave up too soon.
So, in my story, the fox sees a lovely bunch of grapes hanging above him and after several failed attempts says, “Those grapes look really sweet, it’s probably worth trying again tomorrow.” Or something like that, written with more panache and not a glass of wine in my hand. It’s still short and sweet in its telling, but it’s a story that doesn’t end quite as abruptly. In fact, it could well be a story that doesn’t end at all. The fox has instead committed to continuing to try to get exactly what he wants each day. The moral, in this one, would be that you should never give up on your dreams no matter how unattainable they seem. A much better story to teach children than one that ends so sour. Though maybe we cast a turtle instead. Aesop seems to think them nicer. At any rate, this way, if we see someone who’s achieved something amazing, rather than feeling jealous, we could instead happily cheer them on. Or we might simply smile knowingly and turn to the person next us and say, “It’s not really so impossible, it’s just sweet grapes.”
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Dioxazine Purple, Green Phthalo. Light, Perylene Maroon, Turquoise Green, and Opera Rose. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
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This doodlewash of grapes is bee-yoo-tee-ful. So much color and gloss, and a look so three dimensional, I’m certain I could walk around and see the other side of this cluster.
And I do like your attitude – sweet grapes. Can’t say that without smiling.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 So happy you liked this one! Hehe… glad you like the revised motto. I think it’s far more cherry than talking about sour things.
Great lookin grapes! Just remember,you can always come back to grapes at a later time, and while they may nit be ad orblike besutiful, they willbe that much more sweet….rasins!
Thanks so much, Suzala! 😃💕 Raisins are awesome!! hehe…. yeah… I wonder if you leave a grape watercolor painting out in the sun too long… will it turn into raisins?
Nice paint, grapes is one of fruit that i like it.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 So happy you liked this!
Ah! Your coloring of those grapes is beautiful and realistic. I must “pin” this for reference next time I try grapes since mine always turn out one shade of purple!
Aww thanks! 😃💕 yeah… I’ve been playing with trying to add dashes of extra color into things. I think it makes them sparkle a bit more. hehe… that’s the fun thing about watercolor. You can splash just about any other color into the mix for fun! 😉
There was I, assuming you had a glass of wine with you on starting every single post. 😉 But yet again you’ve nailed the grapes, perfect texture and as they look bursting with yummy juiciness! Mouth-watering.
Aw, I really love ‘sweet grapes’, that’s fantastic and sooo Charlie. We really must get that idiom into usage so that future generations are using it in their Cliché Day celebrations! 😉
Thanks, Jacob! 😃💕 Glad you liked these! And I appreciate you joining me in trying to make “sweet grapes” a thing. hehe… perhaps if we just start using it then it will spread. 😎
What a nice post! So funny, I´m a huge dreamer too and therefore never sad. All I haven´t achieved, I haven´t achieved YET! Biggest dream and probably not unknown to you: Living of my art. LOL 😄 But I know it will happen some day, yes! Love your grapes, they look so beautiful shiny! Have a wonderful Sunday!
Yay! Cheers to being a huge dreamer too, Ann! 😃💕 Love that! Hope you’re having a fantastic Sunday!
Wow, those grapes do look good Charlie, cheers!
Aww thanks so much, Phil! Glad you liked this!! 😃💕
Lol! I’ll try to remember ‘sweet grapes’ the next time I’m tempted to dismiss something because I don’t think I can have it. I love that your painting has green grapes among the purple. Unripe grapes mostly become ripe, so it fits your ramble – rather than dismiss something as too hard, just wait and try again when the time is ripe.
Aww… I love the way you put that! Yes! 😃💕 Thanks, Sandra!