Written by Today we have a prompt of “Cruise,” which is something I’ve never actually experienced. When I was younger, I entertained the idea of giving a cruise a try via one of those short weekend versions. The problem, of course, is that I don’t love crowds, so being on a floating hotel and trapped with crowds of people doesn’t feel like the best place for me. When I painted this one tonight, Philippe remarked, “Oh wow! That’s cool!” to which I asked, “So, does it make you want to go on a cruise?” He paused, but then shook his head and confirmed that being trapped on a boat with so many people wasn’t something he wanted in a vacation either. He went on to mention how many get listeria, but I had already stopped listening by that point. As I’ve mentioned before, I indeed married my type. Yet truthfully, I’ve not given up hope of trying a 3-day cruise at some point in my life, as I simply love to try and experience new things. But, I know in my heart that I couldn’t last longer than that. Unless, of course, the entire boat was filled with artists from our community. That would be a game changer for sure! But, a Doodlewash cruise is not likely going to happen, even though it’s rather fun thing to consider!
Ironically, I did once travel to Vegas to audition to be a performer on a cruise ship, but that wasn’t in the cards. I often wonder what course my life might have taken had I ended up going down that path. Like so many things I do in life, I hadn’t really thought through every aspect of the plan before pursuing it. I guess in many ways, I think things always happen as they are meant to happen. I just like to go with the flow. When I was in a corporate environment for work, there were people labeled with a “Type A” personality. These were people who were aggressive, highly organized, and ambitious. The only trait I shared with them was impatience, but I think my own version was a bit different in the end. Yet, the less frantic and “more explainable” personalities were considered “Type B” so I broke the test a bit as I sat directly on a line of duality that the test had failed to consider. Indeed, if there are only two options, then information is somehow black and white, and we all know that’s never really quite the case. I’m not sure an entire alphabet of personality types would be able to address the wonderful nuances that make us each so uniquely fabulous.
What I’ve loved most about my art journey is that I’ve been able to meet people from all over the world. It’s been a truly amazing experience to find someone who is quite like me, but thousands of kilometers away. It’s an affirming moment to know that your kind of weird isn’t so weird after all. And, I’ve met people who are nothing like me at all, yet we share a fantastic connection through our shared love of art. Sharing a common love of something, in the end, is one of the best ways we can connect. Love is something universal and it always defies a particular type. That’s indeed why this very site is built around the idea of loving drawing and watercolor and not a particular technique or approach. It’s just a pure love of art itself with an invitation to DO it however you yourself feel you should. Indeed, it’s about why you do something, not how you do it. If we embrace the “why” that compels us to create things, we’ll always be able to show up and create more. Even when the “how” gets super tough or confusing. So, I adore the community we’ve made, and in made ways, I think each day, together, we are simply enjoying the magnificent experience of taking a cruise.
Want To Sketch Stuff With Me? Check Out My New Activity Book!
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Vermilion, Cobalt Turquoise, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain 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! |
 |
|
Beautiful painting! I would like to give it a try too. 😅
Thanks so much, Glenda! 😃💕Yeah, trying a cruise one day is definitely on my list!
Great cruise ship Charlie! I like you would hate to be stuck on something that big and crowded with strangers! I can barely ride the Boston T and haven’t in years. A river cruise might be fun. A train ride through the Rockies might be nice. As long as I have my space I’m usually fine. Confined spaces are an issue. Enough on that subject.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕You and I have much in common… hehe… I really can’t stand confined spaces, or being confined in any way in general really, as I’m sure you must have guessed by now! lol
I have never cruised either. I think I would have enjoyed an Alaskan cruise, but I wasn’t in the cards. Maybe in my next life. I too give those personality tests a fit. Right brain, left brain. I don’t understand how some people can’t multitask. That’s just the 2
That’s just they way my brain works.
Yeah, I think I want to at least try a cruise for the life experience itself. 😃💕 But, we’ll see what actually happens. Personality tests on the other hand on a completely different beast. I just love that I manage to confuse most of them. 😉
My family and I haves cruised many times – Alaska, Scandinavia, Canadian Maritimes, Tahiti, Caribbean and more. Believe it or not, the ships are designed so that it’s entirely possible to be away from people. Our favorite thing is sitting out on the deck. We read and daydream and look at the vast ocean. When the ship’s in port, we’re off exploring on land. I also love to see the lay of the land from the sea. We avoid the gigantic ships and the cruise lines known for partying. You might want to reconsider, although the 3-day cruises may be more party-oriented.
That’s so awesome to hear, Sharon! 😃💕 I think I would like to try a cruise at some point. But yeah, party-oriented wouldn’t be my preferred version by any stretch! lol
Curtesy of the U.S.Navy, I got the opportunity to see the sea, along with most of the Mediterranean. My ship was not sent to Southeast Asia and we did’t have many on-board parties, but we did dodge a few Soviet destroyers… We also saw so many historic places in the Med. area which provided me with plenty to photograph and later to paint. And just like a crew onboard ship, we all have so many experiences to share thru your community. bob.c
p.s., you really have to see a sunset at sea – spectacular.
Your time on the ship sounds so adventurous!
Hi Zertab, yes, it was quite an adventure! As we kept the sea lanes open, we also had a chance to see some amazing places and meet local folks in the different countries: Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain and Gibraltar. At the time we did not visit Egypt, Tunisia or Morocco, would have loved to go there too.
Wow! That sounds like a wonderful experience indeed, Bob! 😃💕 Oh, I would love to see a sunset at sea. And I love the idea of visiting so many historic places. It would be great inspiration for sketches and stories!
It is a GREAT doodlewash! I’ve cruised a few times. It’s not as crowded as you think. Many quiet nooks and crannies. It’s fun.
Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕hehe… okay… I’m in if there are nooks and crannies! lol Because it does sound totally fun!
I hate floating hotels too, but I love river cruises! Less than 200 passengers and just wonderful. Ty that kind 😁
Thanks, Anne! 😃💕 Yeah… I did a search that included population count… hehe… Oh the life of an introvert. 😊
Look at all those little windows! That is patiences. Nice boat! I want to go on a cruise with my husband. The Disney one would be my first choice of course. However, you are the second person lately talk about the number of people. Hmmmm, we don’t like crowds of people either!
Thanks, Lori! 😃💕Mostly for the compliment that I had patience! lol But, yeah… it’s more intense focus in the moment and lots of really fast scribbles! Yeah the Disneyland cruise sounds awesome, particularly if you have kids as they take them off your hands so you can have a proper date! I wish they did a Disneyland cruise for all adults who are too old to love Disney that much, but still DO!
You are welcome! Check into the DL cruises, there are lots of parts geared towards adults! My kiddo is 20. I don’t think we would be taking him. Lol
That;s a beautiful ship, Charlie, but not a chance you would catch me on one of those monsters. Cruise a river in Europe somewhere and that is totally different story and I highly recommend a Viking river cruise for any of us introverts. When I first saw the prompt for today my first thought was…river cruise for the Doodlewash group!!!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕Yay to a river cruise! That sounds more my speed. Yeah.. I just can’t imagine that many people in one spot. Unless, of course, it’s the Doodlewash group… then we KNOW we’d all get along famously!
Charlie says, ” If we embrace the “why” that compels us to create things, we’ll always be able to show up and create more. Even when the “how” gets super tough or confusing. ”
It is clear that statement is straight from the heart, but what a beautiful mind it took to create it. Bravo to you!
Thank you so much, Sarah! 😃💕You are truly a bright light in my writing world! The writing part is still the most difficult for me, so I’m thrilled you enjoy my words!
Nice ship Charlie! And that sky is gorgeous! I’ve done the cruises, enjoy the experience. But I relish quiet time to just read a good book or paint. 🎨
Thanks, Linda! 😃💕 And great to know you enjoy cruises… I still want to try one, if I could only coax Philippe to join me! hehe But yes, a good book and painting is still at the top of my list!
I’m not an artist, but this looks like a fun blog!
Thanks so much! 😃💕Hope you’ll come back and visit and just maybe I can lure you into sketching stuff with me! 😉