For our prompt of “Something Green” today, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I opted for some shamrocks and an Irish hare. Each year where I live, there’s normally a huge St. Patrick’s Day parade downtown, the 3rd largest in the nation. But, in these current times, the parade has been cancelled and downtown is devoid of any people at all. It’s a very strange time indeed. A time of social distancing that can sometimes make the world feel a bit lonely. But, the shamrock is a wonderful reminder that there’s still a lot of good in the world. The three leaves are said to represent three of the most extraordinary things of all: love, hope, and faith. With these, combined with a strong spirit of community, we can get through pretty much anything that comes our way in life. In truth, as we continue to paint together and share our art online, I never feel lonely at all! And it’s my sincere hope that each of you out there stays happy and healthy in the weeks ahead!
As a shy introvert, avoiding crowds is what I’ve always done, so not much has changed there. But, I will miss going to live theatre shows with friends, all of which have now been cancelled for the next few weeks. Though much of this should feel a touch depressing, the truth is, it’s just a moment in time and I know that it won’t last forever. I’m happy to do my part to distance myself from the world physically. And, I’m super happy that I have all of you out there to connect with during this time. Equally, I’ve been amazed at the amount of art that people have created. Many who are taking part in the Doodlewash monthly challenge are coming up with even more than one answer to the prompt! And painting more than ever this month! It’s been so comforting to watch people turn to art for relief, because I know in my heart it’s one of the best things we could all be doing right now. Art creates a sense of calm and a centeredness that’s quite hard to replicate.
So, while I still only have enough time to sneak in my own quick little sketch each day, I’m so thoroughly inspired by all of the other artists in our community. I’m not sure I knew when I started Doodlewash that this would be the reason I’d adore it. I’ve always known that I’ve passionately wanted to create a space where people who love to make art can do so without all of the rules and expectations that often come with it. But, in these current turbulent times, I feel so incredibly grateful. Together we can sketch and paint a world that we’d like to see. Far from the one that exists now, and far closer to the one we know will come in the future. The better world that we’re learning our way toward. Each stroke of the pen and each splash of a paint brush reveals bits of emotion that describe both worlds. And this is the very reason I adore art. It’s always been a conversation about the times that we’re living through. This time might be one of the most challenging of all, yet I know for certain that we’ll all get through it with just the simplest and purest of things, like love, hope, and faith.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Quinacridone Red, Cobalt Turquoise, Leaf Green, Terra Cotta, Ultramarine (Green Shade), and Indigo. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen (Broad Nib) 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! |
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day Charlie! Your bunny reminds me to looks forward to Easter, one of my favorite holidays.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕Yay for Easter!! Coming soon!
Love this post and doodle, Charlie! With Doodlewash we’re never alone; we have friends around the globe. Thank you for that Charlie O’Shields.
Aww thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Can’t thank you enough for being part of this community. It’s such an incredible thing to connect with each other each day!
It was a very quiet St Paddy’s Day for sure, but thanks to the internet, I spoke with everyone that I love and care for – something I probably would not have done otherwise. Out of bad times, good things come.
So true! 😃💕 I think we’re all connecting a bit more these days. That’s a wonderful outcome indeed.
Lovely lucky bunny
Thanks so much! 😃💕
I love your bunny but more than that I love your positive attitude. It inspires, not just with art but with life’s challenges. At this time we can’t dwell on the negatives or we’ll be swamped by them. Thank you for the safe space you’ve created with Doodlewash. 🙂
Aww thanks so much, Claire! 😃💕 It’s so true. Together, we can really overcome anything!
Happy Saint Paddy’s day Charlie and a fine hare he is! More art created and exercise online instead of in person which left me a little sad. Playing with new mediums and listening to a CD of old America songs took care of my blues. That ages me a bit.😉
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕Sounds like a beautiful way to spend the time. These times will indeed pass, and we’ll all be stronger for it!
Yes, Charlie, et al, it IS wonderful to have a community that we all love and cherish so much in these most confusing days of late. I finally allowed myself to paint in my handmade books (thanks to Sandra Straight’s review and Mary Roff’s talent!), and this is delicious for sure. But there is a definite sadness I’m feeling over the physical connection of hugs and talks of painting. Thank YOU, Charlie, for keeping us all connected, informed, unlighted.
🙂
Fanna Turano
*uplifted. (I’ve GOT to proof read!)
hehe… for me it’s usually just a fight with spellcheck! lol 😉 💕
Thanks, Fanna! 😃💕 Indeed… this community is a rare gem in the world. It’s a constant reminder that no matter what happens, we’re not alone. We’re loved and supported by artists across the globe!
Love your St. Patty bunny! I just realized that I haven’t posted any of my sketches for the month. Not that I’ve done a lot of them, but I’m plugging along when time allows. I’ve been on a Spring cleaning fling this week after having plumbers in and out for a week. Keep the love coming! 😉
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕 Hope your plumbing issues quell soon! hehe… that’s never a fun thing at all!
Since we had corned beef and cabbage last week with our neighbors, I made some pasta with meatballs for dinner. It was good enough that Joe sopped up the last of the sauce with some bread. I had to send him out today to get the last things I need to be able to cook for a couple of weeks without leaving home. The only thing he couldn’t get was milk. Here we live in the middle of dairy country, and he said there was no milk on the shelf. We aren’t big milk drinkers, but we do like it on our cereal. I went outside today and even though it was cold, I wanted to visit my gardens to see what’s poking up. Crocus, snowdrops, Lenten roses, and daffodils. Spring is springing and for that I am grateful.
Here’s to being grateful for what we have! And also hoping the selfish hoarders will stop buying more perishables than they can possibly use. In the meantime… yes! Still so much to appreciate and be hopeful for! 😃💕
Great doodle Charlie.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕
Bonjour de France, j’ai été étonnée de vous lire, en disant que pour vous, le trèfle à trois feuilles avait cette importance – ici c’est le trèfle à 4 feuilles – celui qui représente la chance, l’espoir, future fortune ou réussite, car très rare, essayez de trouver un trèfle à 4 feuilles parmi tous les autres ! si vous en trouvez un – vous le faites sécher – et vous le conservez, très longtemps entre deux pages d’un livre – çà vous portera chance ! toujours admirative de vos dessins – bravo ! ici au nord de Paris temps de printemps doux, avec beau soleil bleu – nous pourrions presque être heureux – si nous ne serions confinés – il faut une autorisation exceptionnelle,j pour sortir – toutes les écoles sont fermées – nous avons un jardin – ouf ! car les deux garçons de 6 et 9 ans, sont plein de vitalité – il faut faire l’école à la maison – ma fille qui avait commencé son travail à la maison, en les gardant, et en faisant le télétravail, pensait, devenir folle, tellement il était compliqué de faire le travail et les enfants – mais, hier, sa société, vient de la mettre au chômage technique – l’état assure de payer tout cela … prenez soin de vous et de ceux que vous aimez – Cathy
Bonjour, Cathy! Yes, a shamrock in Ireland is just the three things of Love, Hope, And Faith. But yes, as a kid in America, finding a four leaf clover was the most amazing thing ever! Totally lucky! And you and yours all the best during this very uncertain times. 😃💕
Wonderful Charlie!!! I wish you the best of luck!!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 To you as well!
Lovely bunny picture and positivity
Thanks so much, Linda! 😃💕
Thanks Charlie..you picture is great and of course so is your message…
Thanks so much, Priscilla! 😃💕 Together we will thrive!
So nice you so passionated about art and created this wonderful community Doodlewash.
Thanks so much, Fatima! 😃💕 So happy that you’re part of this community!
Fantastic sketch and thank you for words of live faith and hope
Thanks, Susan! 😃💕 I think with those three things we can get through anything!
lol, its like you are combining Easter, and St Paddys Day.
Well, it’s an Irish hare! Just wanted something more than shamrocks and I don’t sketch people so we weren’t getting a leprechaun! 😉 lol
Great sketch. Been a creative is a very good outlet in times like these. Wishing you all the best.
Thanks so much! All the best to you as well! 😃💕
Wonderful painting
Thanks so much, Danai! 😃💕