#WorldWatercolorGroup - Day 27 - The Flight Of The Dragonfly - Doodlewash
By Charlie

The Flight Of The Dragonfly

Written by Charlie O'Shields

For centuries the little dragonfly has been an object of interest to people in many different cultures around the globe. Most anywhere in the world its a symbol of change and self-realization. As it scurries across the top of the water, zigzagging its way along an impossible path, it’s equally fascinating to watch. It reminds us to go beyond just what’s on the surface and look deeper at the world around us, ourselves, and others. Also, in some parts of the world, the dragonfly is considered a good luck charm. So that’s a pretty wonderful thing to consider indeed. And, since we have just one more day left in this month’s adventure, it’s definitely a signal of changes ahead! I hope you’ll join us for the March Watercolor Challenge, a Paint What You Like theme, exploring ideas and concepts that I’m sure will lead to some truly surprising and unique paintings. I’ll be very excited to see what we all come up with!

As for dragonflies, I’ve loved them since I was a kid. Despite the lack of oceans nearby there are plenty of lakes and ponds where these little guys like to hang out. They are mesmerizing to watch as they zip about and then suddenly stop, defying gravity for a moment. I’ve read that their flight is so intriguing to scientists that its still being studied in hopes of making robots that can mimic it. I can’t remember why one would need a robot dragonfly, but that bit didn’t bother me as the thought of one is just too cool, so why not? And I do love the symbolism. The idea of going beyond the surface and zipping around to view things from all angles is a wonderful reminder in life, particularly as an artist. I’m hoping to push myself beyond some of the comfort zones I’ve formed these past couple of years as we transition into next month’s challenge. I’m not entirely sure what that amounts to yet, but I’m perfectly thrilled to find out.

I’ve always moved almost too quickly from one thing to the next. My attention span is roughly on par with that of a three year old child. Once I start doing something my brain shifts and begins to process a million other things that have nothing to do with what I just started doing. My little moments with watercolor have given me a better ability to focus a wee bit longer. But, yes, you’ll find me happily rushing to scan today’s illustration and sometimes not even waiting for it to dry first. I’m like a little kid who just brought home his latest creation for his mom to post on the fridge. Only in this case, the fridge in this blog, and well, my mother doesn’t even own a computer, so I guess the similarities end there. My short attention span is partially due to my insatiable sense of discovery. I love learning new things, not just about the world around me, but about myself. As I’m rushing to creating a little painting each day, I get to suddenly stop here and ponder things for a brief, quiet moment. It’s a rewarding process indeed, and perhaps more than a bit like the flight of a dragonfly.

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About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Quinacridone Red, Leaf Green, Terra Cotta, Cobalt Turquoise and Cobalt Blue.  Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book.
  #WorldWatercolorGroup - Day 27 - The Flight Of The Dragonfly - Doodlewash

 

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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37 thoughts on “The Flight Of The Dragonfly”

  10. I like few bugs – they terrify me, especially the ones that are roaches or even remind me of roaches. But dragonflies – they’re creatures I love to watch. They look as if the pigment fell of their wings and left only the outline behind, a trait you captured beautifully in your painting, Charlie. Thank you for info about the symbolism of dragonflies – even more wonderful now.
    As for Little Charlie – we’re all pretty lucky he’s still zipping around, enchanted by one thing after another. But you really should give your mom a tablet or laptop so she can see how incredibly talented her son is when he is still and quiet for 30 minutes a day, paintbrush hovering over a sheet of paper.

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    1. Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 I agree… I like a lot more bugs as a kid, but as an adult, the dragonfly is the least creepy and the most intriguing. And as for my mother, I DID give her a laptop several years ago which she promptly gave to my niece. Today, she resorts a version of Facebook that involves going to my sister’s house and standing over my sister’s shoulder saying, “click that!”

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  14. Wow!! That was a cute lil Dragonfly 🙂 It took me back to my childhood for a moment, when there used to be many of those frail but beautiful creatures; some flying, some laying and some even trying to get caught, trying to escape the last sec! But today’s pollution is not seeing any of these any more😟
    Excellent painting and an engrossing story too Charlie

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  15. Once in Chicago at a music festival at Grant park, there was a huge influx of dragonflies darning the sky above all of the audience. It was magical, just like your little guy.

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  17. Gorgeous colours on your wonderful dragonfly Charlie. I remember one day when we lived at the lake house and I was up on the back deck. A red dragonfly that glowed copper flew onto my shirt as I was pottering about and watering my plants. It stayed there for quite a while, until one deerfly flew a little too close, and she pounced onto it. Well, anything that devours those pesky deerflies is my hero! I always liked dragonflies, but after that day I really loved them!

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