Written by For today’s celebration, we’re honoring the peanut, with this little bird I decided to doodlewash. Apparently, blue jays are quite the fan of shelled peanuts and I do have to agree that these are probably my favorite as well. We often had a bowl of them on the table when I was a kid and it was one of my favorite snacks. Of course, I was equally a fan of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which was my most requested item in my sack lunch for school. These days, Philippe adds a bit of peanut butter to the smoothies that he makes us for breakfast. He loves the flavor of peanut butter, but isn’t really a fan of peanuts by themselves. I, on the other hand, will enjoy them in any form they come in. Though apparently, there’s a condition called arachibutyrophobia where people are terrified of peanut butter sticking to the roof of their mouth. Whilst not the best side effect of a peanut butter sandwich, I’ve never been quite that bothered by it. And I often still forget the fact that peanuts are not really nuts at all. They’re actually legumes since they grow and mature underground and not on trees at all. No matter what, I’m still a huge fan!
As a kid, my brother would grab a spoon and dive into a jar of peanut butter like it was a bit of yogurt. This was always a bit alarming to me and I requested he have his own specific jar. That said, he grew up much more muscular than me so perhaps all of that protein paid off. I grew up lanky and all my attempts at serious exercise only tended to shred muscle and give me a more angular physique roughly like a praying mantis. But I still have very fond memories of peanut butter. When I would spend parts of my summer on my grandparent’s farm, we’d be sent out with bits of celery and peanut butter. I actually haven’t had this snack in years, but it was one of my favorites at the time. I’m sure it was merely concocted as a method to get kids to actually eat celery, but it was brilliant and I loved it! It made me feel much better about the fact that I was perfectly rubbish at baling hay and made a hot summer afternoon rather incredible. So I definitely support this little “I’m not really a nut” getting its own day to be a champion.
What I think I love most about these little celebration days is that they compliment my own approach to life. The little things are the best things of all. It’s wonderful to me that the most commonplace things in the world are deemed worthy enough to have their own special day. I hope in my art, that I do this each and every day. Illustrating profoundly simple little bits of life to spark memories and hopefully make smiles happen. At least that’s my goal. There is definitely something to be said for that very serious art hanging in galleries that attempts to shock and displace us, and I’m sure that’s incredible to those who adore it as well. For me, I’m happy sticking with the commonplace things. My only artist statement is to remind people of the existence of such things so they can travel back into their own memories and enjoy a relived moment. Just a bit of peanuts and a bird who rather enjoys them is enough for me when it comes to my sketches. And in many ways, I want to always be this bird. Thrilled not by the astoundingly unusual things in life, but the ridiculously common things, like finding a bit of something you thoroughly enjoy and having your own special peanut day.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Vermilion, Cobalt Turquoise, and Indigo. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen 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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I like your blue jay – great color and just enough expression. I love your focus, in art and words, on the “common” things. These are exactly the things that comprise most of our lives, so enjoying them is key to enjoying life.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕Yeah, the common things are some of the best bits that life has to offer!
Looks like the lil bird’s just about to take flight… like it! Love the blue colour
Thanks so much, Leena! 😃💕 So happy you enjoyed my little bird!
Absolutely perfect! I started feeding my local blue jays peanuts last winter. They love them! The chickadees love them too! They have to work a little harder at it too.
Thanks, Lisa! 😃💕 Yeah, I’d sketched just peanuts so figured I should try something new. And I love birds, so it was a perfect match!
The whole nuts vs botanical nuts vs seeds vs legumes is too complex for my tiny mind. They all taste good and that’s good enough for me! Love your blue jay!
haha!! I totally agree! 😃💕 The botanical vs. scientific terms just make my brain scramble. If it’s delicious! I’ll have some please!
Charlie, I love this inquisitive blue jay with his beak full of peanut. You’re captured him perfectly. I’ve always love birds, and blue jays, cardinals, robins, and orioles always had me looking heavenward when I was a kid in New Jersey. Now that I live in California, I love to watch peregrine falcons, woodpeckers, hawks of all kinds, mourning doves, mockingbirds, and of course, hummingbirds. Plus all the seabirds.
Your next Doodlewash has to be of a praying mantis. That will be fun!
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕I’m so envious of your California view… love that state! So happy you liked my blue jay! And hehe… I actually linked to my praying mantis doodlewash in this post! They’re crazy creatures!
Yes, just saw it again – commented a few years ago on this big bug.
hehe… yeah, just imagine it in sneakers, jeans, and a t-shirt and that’s pretty much my build. lol
I love love this bird! Great sketch and choice of paint colors. I had to smile at your mention of celery and peanut butter. I still love the combination as a snack!
Thanks so much!!! 😃💕Glad you liked this! And yeah… now I appreciate that celery and peanut butter goodness much more!
Love that pesky Blue Jay! What would life be without peanut butter? It’s always my quick, go to lunch when I haven’t time to fix something else. It was always my favorite brown bag lunch when I was a kid and decades later I still love the stuff! Also love to bake with it…have this awesome peanut butter bar cookie recipe with peanut butter frosting….hmmm, that’s a whole other story. 🙂
Thanks, Mary! 😃💕hehe… yeah, life simply wouldn’t be as wonderful without peanut butter. So many things you can do with it!!! And yeah, your descriptions made me incredibly hungry! lol
Absolutely adorable!
I agree with you on the little, commonplace things in life: they can grant you joy, if only you will notice them and let them in.
Thanks so much! 😃💕And so true! The commonplace things are always the best of all if we stop and enjoy them!
You have raised that little nut to new heights.
I am thrilled to learn a new word. “arachibutyrophobia ”
Wow, THAT is a mouthful! Great article and painting.
Thanks so much, Sarah! 😃💕Glad you liked this one. Yeah, that’s quite a word isn’t it? Say it three times fast! … or just try saying it once! lol Either way would be impressive.