Written by I was looking at references for waves today and ended up under the sea, discovering this sea turtle, so he’s what happened today. I’ve never painted one of these and yet they seem a rather popular painting subject so I figured I’ve give one a go. The idea of being underneath the waves has always been intriguing to me as well. Surfers will sometimes dive under the water if they don’t feel the oncoming wave will be a good ride. The water there is calmer and the wave simply washes over the top of them. I feel like this is a pretty good way to life live actually. So many times a “bad wave” comes my way, but rather than stress about it, I just dive under it and move on to better things. Life under the waves is much calmer, so I think this sea turtle has a rather enviable home.
My mind tends to be in constant motion and I’m always thinking through things and processing them. Sometimes, I can let a negative thought get out of control and before I know it, I’ve taken it to an extreme and terrible conclusion. In those moments, when I’ve envisioned my own doom, I let my mind dive under the wave so it washes over me. In that brief moment of calm, I realize there’s actually nothing wrong at all. Life is wonderfully how it should be and I should simply get on with living it and stop being so blasted ridiculous. Since I’m not actually a surfer, or have developed a real interest or skill in any type of sport, it’s far easier to just imagine I’m a sea turtle.
Waves of all kinds have a unique beauty to them, even when they’re not a good ride. So, I tend to just let it all go and enjoy whatever comes my way. Better to life live floating effortlessly like a sea turtle than be thrashing about in waves you can’t control. As we head into the weekend, I hope everyone is enjoying the type of calm that makes them happiest. Take the next wave that comes your way, I’m sure it’s going to be a good ride. And if it’s not, just dive under it and be a sea turtle for a bit. You can always count on life being brilliant again when you spend just a little bit of time under the waves.
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Quinacridone Gold, Cobalt Teal, Permanent Green Pale, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal. |
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Love the article and your “Sea Turtle”. I have been want ing to paint one of these for a while. Hopefully I can soon!
Thanks so much, Annie! 😃💕 I had as well, so I thought I’d finally try it. It was fun! You should totally paint one!
This is gorgeous!
Thanks!! So happy you liked it! 😃💕
Love the colors in your sea turtle and waves. That was a good message too.
Thanks! 😃💕 I had fun painting this one…though the background worried me a bit. Hehe
I think this is one of your best, Charlie. Well you know we love turtles at memadtwo. But this is in a league of its own. And we should all learn to dive under those waves. (K)
Awww thanks, Kerfe! 😃💕 I sort of made up a background for this so it was a different approach for me. Thrilled you like how it turned out!!
Totally turtle amazing! Great color too!
Hehe!! Thanks, Jessica!! Glad you liked him! 😃💕
Beautiful turtle Charlie! I sometimes could just take a dive and veg for a while! 🙂
Thanks, Margaret! 😃💕 Glad you liked my turtle. He was fun! And cheers to taking a dive! Hehe
absolutely GORGEOUS sea turtle! Keep on staying under those waves 🙂
Hehe!! Thanks so much, Jodi! 😃💕 A bit different for me, but I liked how he turned out. I thought it would be easier than painting waves on the surface…it wasn’t! Lol But had fun trying it!
Excellent one! I love the difference and colours – so keep making up the backgrounds!
Awww thanks, Jonathan! 😃That’s really encouraging!! Appreciate it!
Your writing is as luminous as your painting.
Awww… that’s such a sweet comment. Thank you so much, Judy! 😃💕
I’m loving your turtle! Very colourful. Sometimes we see a solitary huge turtle in some harbours in Greece. Not as pretty as yours, though!
Thanks, Georgie! 😃💕 That would still be pretty cool to see I think!
Wow…can we have a ‘super like’ button, gold star…. This is amazing, I think he deserves to be on your wall….please don’t hide him in a book 😀 Swim free mr turtle, hehe! I think this is a top notch painting, my new fav of yours Charlie.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks, Rebecca! 😃💕 Hehe! He’s just trapped in my sketchbook, but I should at least set him free as a print or something which I’m horrible at doing. But I’m thrilled you liked him!! yay!
Oh yes a print would be cool, semi set free, hehe ❤️❤️
A good one this turtle, seems to me very difficult to paint, you did it!
What a story you are telling us with so much wisdom and I love it.
Now and then I like to hide too and take some rest under the waves of Life!
It surely helps.
Thanks for your wave-wishes and the good ride for this weekend.
Same to you Charlie, you make my day❤️
awww thanks so much, Margriet! 😃💕 I’m so happy you enjoyed this post… and my turtle! hehe… he wasn’t as difficult to paint as the background. I need to paint more of those and practice! So happy you liked him!
Lovely turtle
Thanks, Marina! 😃💕
Awesome turtle, Charlie – and even awesomer (yes, it is) thoughts!
Awww thanks so much, Ellie! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed the post!
O-M-G Charlie! What a wonderful job – they are ridiculously charming, aren’t they – and I LOVE the background too – those colours!
The waves do tend to recede after a while. I used to like the idea of delving underneath, right down and seeing what’s there… a pursuit probably better realised in images and doodlewashes than reality, especially with my swimming! Reminds me also of the Simpsons episode where they’re trying to escape some scandal and Homer suggests they move under the sea. “There’ll be no accusations / just friendly crustaceans / under the sea!” But your musings are rather more eloquent than that 😛
Thanks, Jacob!!! 😃 So glad you liked him…he was fun to doodlewash! And I think Homer speaks the truth a lot of the time! Too funny. And I’m with you. It’s way safer to do deep ocean exploring through art! Hehe
Dear Mr Turtle, this is a fantastic painting Really great!
Hehe…thanks Teri!! 😃💕And Mr Turtle thanks you as well!!
I need to be a sea turtle! 😄 Great post Charlie and AWESOME Doodlewash!!! 🌟🌟🌟 Fabulous details!!! 💕😊
Thanks so much, Jill! 😃💕hehe… I think we should all be sea turtles from time to time.
life as a sea turtle – what a healthy attitude to avoid stress.
your painting is full of life – look at the determined expression on your turtle. wonderful painting, Charlie, inspiring post. – having a tough week so this is perfect. thank you.
Awww I’m so pleased you liked this one, Sharon. Definitely the best attitude to take when this get tough. Much love! 💕
A good philosophy, and I love both your turtle and the way you painted the water.