Cat Rubbing Against Cactus Watercolor Painting
By Charlie

Loving Spring

Written by Charlie O'Shields

For our prompt of “Cactus” today, I made a quick little sketch of a cat next to a potted cactus in bloom. The weather here has finally started to warm up a bit in the afternoons and I’m already seeing the budding signs that spring is finally on its way. While I adore spring, the reality is that it’s really only about two to three full weeks of perfect weather here. The rest of the season is filled with thunderstorms and tornado warnings. But, even those blissfully few perfect days make my heart sing in a way that really energizes me. The daylight lasts a bit longer now and that makes me happy and excited to create as well. It’s like crawling out of a cold cave after months of hibernation. And, while the days aren’t super warm yet, the contrast makes them feel warmer than they actually are in reality. The evenings are still quite cool, which reminds me of being in the desert, so sketching a cactus today felt just like the perfect thing to do. Though, unlike this kitty, I won’t be tempted to rub up against one any time soon!

As often seems to happen around springtime, I’ve created something brand new to share! My newest book, which I’ll be mentioning in my session during the upcoming Sketchbook Revival workshop, just popped up on Amazon. This one is called Sketching Stuff: Create Like A Kid Again! and it’s a creative activity book for grown-ups (young adults and adults), with a decidedly childlike twist. I loved getting magazines when I was a little kid because they were always filled with lots of color illustrations, fun facts and cool things to DO! And so, I lovingly created this next book in that same fashion to hearken back to all of the nostalgic fun of childhood. It’s filled with over 60 creative exercises that you can do in your sketchbook, using whatever medium or approach you choose.

It’s designed to work for writers, artists, and any human who wants to write, doodle and create more inventive ideas for fun or for any profession. The exercises will also help boost your natural creativity and master what I call the 6 creative superpowers! And, it’s illustrated using over 120 full-color illustrations that I’ve made here over the years. If you’ve been a fan of my art, then this book is filled with the most printed versions of it to date. But wait, there’s more! (I’ve always wanted to say that) It’s also packed with tons of insights as well as bits of neuroscience and psychology on how our creative brains and hearts function, think, and feel. So, I truly hope you’ll click here and check it out!

As for this time of year, Philippe and I have once again talked about putting potted plants out, but we’ll see if that actually happens. He was looking through a magazine the other night and said, “hey, do you want to color Easter eggs this year?” I immediately said yes and got super excited, but then realized he was merely being facetious. In truth, I’m not quite sure what just two people would do with a dozen multi-colored boiled eggs after playtime was over, so it’s probably for the best. And since the actual date of Easter is a moving target, we generally only remember it’s actually here on the weekend that it suddenly arrives. Last year, he did make a delicious carrot cake, though, so I have high hopes of a sweet treat in my future. No matter what, I’m just thrilled and excited to sketch stuff and dream up new things in the days ahead. Though the latest headlines can often seem depressing, there’s nothing that can stop my spirit of hope and wonder as I start a brand new season of loving spring.

Click Here to Check Out My Sketching Stuff Books!

About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.:  Hansa Yellow Medium, Opus (Vivid Pink), Vermilion, Terra Cotta, Leaf Green, Cobalt Turquoise, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka 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!
 Cat Rubbing Against Cactus Watercolor Painting Sketchbook Detail

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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27 thoughts on “Loving Spring”

  1. Hey Charlie congratulations on your new book! It was 12 degrees Celsius here today (53.6F) and lovely walking weather. Sure fills the creative heart with joy! Poor Phillippe, you gonna make him nertz with your clamouring for sweets — and I do not blame you in the case of carrot cake!! Hugs.

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    1. Hola, Linda! Great to hear from you and that you are well. You can always come down here to Texas. We were 84*F today and will be all week. We do Summer big here. 🌞🌞🌞 Stay safe.

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      1. Hi Marisela, That’s 28 degrees Celsius, pretty nice! This is Canada’s warm spot but last year hit 47C (116F) and apparently that will be happening again. Climate change. Our snowbirds (who should stay home during pandemic) are going to Florida right in time for sudden “ice age” there, blast of cold. Stay well and be happy!!

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  4. Congrats on the new book, Charlie That is one tough kitty cat in your painting today….those spikes have to hurt. Looking forward to your new book and seeing your session on Sketchbook Revival!

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  8. Charlie, mi amigo! Gosh, I feel like it’s been a minute since we chatted. My mom has kept me busy. Very bad knee pain and doctors visits have taken up our days. She had knee replacement on both knees about 10 years ago. The repair only lasts 10 years. See where I’m going? She’s not too thrilled to hear that. We’ll see. 🏵 Such a cute kitty! It reminds me of my mother’s friend, who couldn’t figure out who or what was chewing up her rose bushes. Whatever it was was stripping them bare! Well, one morning as she was leaving for work, there it was. Her cat was wrapped around her rose bush, chewing on it like his life depended on it. Crazy cat! It is funny, though. 🌺 Congratulations on your new book, Charlie! Yay! You’re awesome! By the way, I signed up for the seminar thing. Only because you’re in it and I want to hear you. 😂😂 I hope you have a wonderful Spring. Our Spring doesn’t last too long either. Cotulla, Tx. which is SW of us, already hit 96*F…….last month. We get hot fast. I love Spring, too. As for the Easter eggs, you could always make cascarones! Empty egg shells, dyed and decorated, and filled with confetti. It’s a big part of Easter here. Easter and Fiesta Week. You and Philippe can chase each other around and crack cascarones on each other’s head for Easter! It’s fun, Charlie! Okay, messy, but fun! 😂😂 I’m teasing. Enjoy your Spring weather, my friend. Warm hugs!

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    1. Hola, mi amiga! 😃💕 And thanks so much! I hope your mom feels better soon. And yeah, cats are just so kooky to watch what they’ll grow interested in playing with next. Lol That sounds like a fun way to spend Easter indeed… I’ll have to ask Philippe and see what he says! haha! 😉 Hugs to you!

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  9. Hello Charlie,

    Congratulations on the new book!!!! And I love the cactus. The tiny blooms reminded me of a story I’d read in a creative writing book years ago. It was about a cactus that had thorns because it was grouchy and grumpy but one day he began to daydream and flowers began to grow in place of thorns. I loved that thought and have always called blooming cacti Dreaming Cacti. Sure enough, in your Doodlewash, the kitty looks dreamy too. And here in India, we’re gearing up for Holi, our Festival of Colors. 🙂 So wishing you a Happy Holi and a year filled with lots of colors and vibrant positivity. 🙂 🙂

    Love,
    Mugdha

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