Something Fresh And New!

For our prompt of “Squirrel” today, I ended up with a little squirrel grabbing an apple with its tail. This was one of those fun doodles, where I didn’t really have a concept and simply started scribbling to see what might appear on the page. Philippe had just purchased a big bag of apples, so I added one to give our hero something fresh and colorful to enjoy. Often, I feel a bit like this little rodent. I’m always on the hunt for something new and interesting. Indeed, I get bored rather easily. I’m always more excited when I have a new project going, or even a fun new book or video game that I look forward to experiencing. But truly, I’m equally rather easy to please. I saw some fresh buds on a tree when I was out walking yesterday and was thrilled! Like seriously excited as though something like that had never happened in the history of the world. I guess it’s my childlike wonder that’s always at play. Just when I think I’m in a rut and feeling less creative or lacking in ambition, the littlest surprise can thrill me!

This past week, we had several rainy, cloudy days. It can be like that here for days on end this time of year, to the point that it feels like the new normal. While I don’t mind a rainy day on occasion, when the weather starts to feel like its formed a full protest against the sun, I get a bit bleary. Today, is a bright clear blue sky with a lovely yellow sun. My mood immediately changed, and I suddenly felt energized. I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to do with this newfound energy. I mean, so far I’ve just managed to sketch a squirrel. But it’s a bright and familiar feeling that I realize now had been missing this past week. I wasn’t particularly depressed, but I was definitely less motivated. And though I should be jumping on that big project I’ve already cooked up, I think I might throw caution to the wind and jump to something else instead.

This is what I always did when I was a kid. And, now that I’m older, I still do the same thing much of the time. While my Adult Mind takes stock and thinks me a touch reckless, I can actually hear my Inner Child giggling with glee. In my experience, any feeling of creative block is best served by trying something totally different. As much as I’d like to push every project through to completion as quickly as I can, I’ve learned that doesn’t work like it should. In fact, it can have the opposite effect. So, I’ll be grabbing for that next shiny apple that I see! I’ll rush forward with wonder and excitement, and toss any plan that I had out the window. Sometimes, the only real way forward is to blindly follow one’s heart and see where it leads. When I take the time to feel more and think less, I know that I’m on that wild and wonderful path to discovering something fresh and new!

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About the Doodlewash Sketching Stuff Coloring Set – Da Vinci Watercolors: Charlie O’Blue, Hansa Yellow Medium, Leaf Green, Quinacridone Red, Terra Cotta, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle 100% Cotton Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note and I’ll add it to my shop!

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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