By Charlie

My Favorite Mug

Written by Charlie O'Shields

So it’s probably no surprise that my favorite mug is made of glass, since I like to paint sparkly things. Here we have a 3 color doodlewash of the mug that I drink tea out of each evening before going to bed. This particular tea is a combo of flavors that’s been dubbed Red Zinger. I’m not even sure what the ingredients are that form this tea, but I can confirm that it does taste surprisingly red. As for the mug, it’s not a family heirloom, just something we found at Target. We rather liked the shape and it was on clearance so we bought the last five (6 would have been more of a set, but the 5th is there in case one breaks). Admittedly, this simply meant that hundreds of people got them before we did, but there’s something about getting the last sale items that make them feel unique and special.

Additionally, shopping for items on clearance has the added benefit of feeling like you’ve just made a wise financial decision. Granted, it’s more often than not that you’re buying something you really don’t need, but getting something for less than full price is such a great feeling. Next to the Target where we found these mugs, there’s a Home Goods that we usually stroll through just to see if there’s anything interesting. Though, we usually stick to the kitchen items. Shopping the decor is like attending the estate sale of your insane aunt who spent her final years traveling the world, collecting curious items from souvenir shops, and then maniacally spraying them with gold leaf and glitter. Of course, sometimes, a single one of these souvenirs can make a good conversation piece, as long as you don’t pay full price.

Since I use this little mug each and every day, it’s become a lovely symbol of successful impulse purchasing. Most of the things I find I just have to have while shopping end up as sad little trophies of poor decision-making. My bookshelf has many of these little items on it. As I look them now, I’m left wondering not just why I thought I wanted them, but in some cases, what the hell they even are. For example, there’s a sphere that appears to be a knotted ball of deer antlers sitting next to a wooden posable dog, staring at me from behind a picture frame. I’ve no recollection now as to how they came to be there and this is rather disconcerting. At least one thing seems certain to me in this moment. When I’m finally ready to have my own estate sale, I’ll be sure to mention in my will that everything should only be offered on clearance.

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About the Doodlewash

M. Graham Watercolors: Pyrrol Red, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink and second pen with sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal.

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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34 thoughts on “My Favorite Mug”

  3. You better invite me to that estate sale! I can’t even remember the last time I paid full price for anything. I’ve been known to return something bought on sale only to re-purchase it at an even bigger discount. But I’ve also been known to buy things that make me wonder if I have any impulse control at all. Maybe we should get together and trade our stupid stuff. At least you’d have something new to paint and I’d get something new to put on my shelf.

    And, not as an afterthought, but your painting of Red Zinger in the glass cup is superb! Just love all the colors reflected against all the surfaces. You were born to art, Charlie, and good thing you finally figured it out.

    Our of curiosity – how many sketchbooks have you filled?

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Sharon! What a wonderful compliment! 😃💕 hehe… I don’t know whether I’d like to trade stuff or just give it away to make some room! Lol As for sketchbooks, I started out on single sheets in the first month and then move to sketchbooks. I’ve filled around 6 or 7 I think… I’m not sure actually. I just stack them off to the side and move on! 😊

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  5. I love your mug! And your doodlewash isn’t bad either 😉 it’s glass, it was always going to be a winner. And boy, that’s some lively-looking tea in there! ‘Red Zinger’ strikes as very appropriate!

    The dedicated tea mug brings a nice personality and routine to things. I might have to single one out and use it for my eight-seven daily cuppas!

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  10. Of course your favorite mug is glass – thus giving you yet another opportunity to show how you can paint that material SOOOO much better than the rest of us 😆😝😝😂😋👍👍👍👍👍 Still nice, tho…. And yes, I also hate having to buy things full price. Good post, it made me smile this morning😊😊😊💕

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  11. Nice painting once again, Charlie. And I’m convinced that as soon as you walk into a shop where you are hit by a blast or warm or cool air just inside the door, you’ve also been sprayed by a hypnotic spray and are convinced to leave the shop with anything. Very often, I leave with anything.

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  14. Fantastic doodlewash – so shiny and bright! I can almost taste the Red Zinger – which was named for the bicycle race that the founder of Celestial Seasonings started in the 1970s. I live close enough to the Celestial Seasonings roastery that many of my evenings are filled with the lovely scent of various teas. It’s almost as wonderful as your painting!

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