Written by For our prompt of magnolias today, I decided to add a little warbler into the mix for some added interest and color. I’ve been trying to invent my own compositions more this month, so this was another fun opportunity to give it a go. And in these moments, I’m always reminded why I adore my watercolor habit. Today, I was rushing around doing all sorts of things and never managed to pause until I sat down to sketch and paint a little something. The weekend seemed to rush by in a blur, so it was wonderful to have a moment where time stood still. I had a dream last night where I was late on a projects and rushing to meet deadlines. Since they weren’t real projects in my dream, I can only assume it’s a message that I just need to slow down a bit. This month of sketching has been a good dream in that it’s allowed me to focus on nature and the beauty around me. As much as I think I stop and enjoy nature on a regular basis, I’m continually reminded that the unnatural world of email, smartphones, and deadlines demands much of my attention. So, these days, I’m making a bit more of a concerted effort to unplug a bit more. To read more books and enjoy life as I once did before all of this technology made the impossible possible.
For a guy who choses to journal live and in public, I’m notoriously shy. I’ve never once appeared on video and only showed up in audio form via my podcast that started last year. We live in a world that’s all about video now, but I still love the written word and the ideas it can bring. I may show up on video one day, of course, but for now, I’m quite content with my current path. As most of you who follow this blog know by now, I tend to follow my own path quite regularly and do things that aren’t exactly the same as everyone else who art blogs. This year, I’ve set goals for myself that will follow in the same fashion. New things that I hope you’ll enjoy that don’t quite follow the expected path of an artist blogger. I’m truly not trying to be belligerent or weird, it’s just that many of things I know I’m supposed to do at this point don’t interest me. I only hope that what I choose to do next will interest you, dear reader, and you’ll continue to join me for the fun! I have a habit of only following my heart, and so what you find here is a side effect of that. And I can honestly say that the heart is something very worthy of following at all times.
We live in a world filled with expectations we often don’t quite realize are even being placed on us. There’s an algorithm for everything these days and those algorithms tend to influence everything in our lives. In those olden days, we only had to worry about right and wrong and being good people. These days, while online, you have to consider things you never stopped to consider before. But, I’ve simply never bothered with those things. I still post in real-time knowing full well that it’s a horrible time to post something. I post whatever I make, even though I know before I do, that little doodlewash will simply not garner the number of likes that the last one did. In short, I do everything just a bit incorrectly and, in the process, consistently jeopardize my social media success. Why? Because, I have to believe that through those cracks in the algorithm that real life still manages to occur in our digital age. More often than not, my posts will be seen by less people, but I adore each of the people who manage to find them! Thanks to each of you who comment on my posts as you bring me so much joy! Out of all of the things online that can grab attention, I’m thrilled that my little daily offering can grab yours. And that’s all I really hope for each day, as I take that little moment to sketch and paint, stopping to the smell the flowers.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Opus (Vivid Pink), Leaf Green, Cobalt Turquoise, Terra Cotta and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Click Here! |
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I really enjoy sharing my work online, but I’ll admit there are times when I agonize because I didn’t get as many ‘hits’ or know that I won’t because the day’s post isn’t my best work. But I think it is important to continue sharing – sometimes you discover your work was better than you thought or what you posted was really relevant to some people. And often the lack of response has nothing to do with the work, and simply reflects a day when people’s attention was engaged elsewhere. Less worry about numbers and more enjoyment of the communication – you’ve that absolutely correct! And I love your composition for today!
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕Yeah, it’s a bit unsettling when something doesn’t garner much attention one day. hehe… it’s easy to second guess everything at once. The good news is… yep… it doesn’t matter, and these days, it’s likely an algorithms fault so it’s impossible to tell what real humans might have thought about it. But, those days when I post something I’m shy about, and I personally dislike and discover even one person who thinks it’s awesome are magical!!
The only way I could possibly be disappointed in your posts is if you didn’t show up. Each one is a joy to read and to look at. I love opening my email to find that your daily story is there and is waiting to be opened. It’s like getting a present every day. 🙂
That is the sweetest comment in the world!! Thank you so much, Mary! 😃💕 I’m sending you a huge virtual hug! I’m so happy to know you enjoy these posts! I figure I’ll keep doing them as long as people enjoy them!
Hooray!! beautiful thoughts and art!
Thanks so much, Jodi! 😃💕 Glad you enjoy this!
Wonderful art and words today Charlie–thank you!
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 Glad you liked this!
Beautiful thoughts and words, Charlie! .. not to mention the beautiful flowers
Thanks so much, Leena! 😃💕 So happy you enjoyed this post!
I love magnolias, especially the pink ones. I like the idea of a “crack in the algorithms,” and I’m happy to live there.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕I’m so happy you live there as well! I can’t thank you enough for all the positive words and daily encouragement. They are MUCH appreciated!
I love this painting. I take a lot of photos of birds and warblers are so hard to catch with all of their bebopping around catching little insects in the tree canopy. I also have no video of myself online. My voice shows up in a few places reading poems, and carefully curated pictures abound, but I’m leary to be filmed.
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 Both for the wonderful compliment and letting me know I’m not alone! hehe… I’m not totally fine with voice after my podcast experiment, but I’m still leery of video as well. To be honest, part of it is the added layer of having to both look good and sound good. It’s too much pressure! lol
I love your blogs and your style of art Charlie. Your colourful doodle washes always cheer me up.
Aww thanks so much, Carole! 😃💕 That’s such a sweet compliment to receive. Appreciate it my friend!
Continue to do your own thing Charlie, that’s why I show up every day. It’s refreshing to hear that someone is out there that thinks just like me. I am hit and miss on “checking in” on social media(FB and IG). Too many other things I rather be doing, like my daily sketches. 😉 I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve!
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕And I can’t thank you enough for your encouragement! It’s really not easy to show up each day since I added a full blog post to the mix of crazy! lol But it’s a lot of fun! And yay to focusing on sketching over social media… it should always come first!!
I am loving the compositions you are creating, Charlie! You are so inspiring and seeing you try new things is wonderful. I also appreciate your thoughts on our algorithmic world – we have slipped into it so easily that we often forget. I read your blog at the same time every day (the morning after you post), so I didn’t even think about timing. It’s always pure joy!!
Thanks so much, Ellie! 😃💕 Thrilled you’re still enjoying my daily offerings! And yes… that’s the thing I love about my blog… it’s still algorithm free for people who follow it or subscribe. Thank goodness… I would probably not bother to post at all if an algorithm were my only first audience! hehe
Initially I came here for the art, but by now your writings are what keeps me coming back again and again. Not that I don’t like your doodlewashes, however your style of writing is so heartwarming that I really would not want to miss it.
That’s such a wonderful and heartwarming comment! Thank you so much! 😃💕Yeah, I never managed to make a proper and instructional art blog. But I do manage show up each day with words and images. I’m so thrilled you enjoy them!
Your illustrations are lovely… your magnolia and warbler particularly so as it feels like this has been a long winter and it’s nice to think about warmer weather and blooming trees. And trying to ‘manage’ social media in such a way that you always come out on top seems like an exhausting process. Good for you for not bothering.
Thanks so much, Susie! 😃💕 So happy you enjoyed this! Yeah… I can’t win the social media game because it sucks the fun out of life to do what needs to be done there. Maybe I’m just too old for all that, or maybe I just prefer the good old-fashioned world of people reaching people.
Haha Charlie… I read, liked and commented 2 days later. Algorithm Smalgorithm! 🙂 Wonderful post
hehe! Thanks, Lori! 😃💕Thanks for commenting! Yeah, nearly every algorithm has gone non-chronological and it makes it like a strange daylight savings time where each day is longer by a couple of days! lol