Written by Today is the last day of my long weekend and Staycation, and I’m thankfully feeling much better after yesterday’s brief interruption. I decided to hop back into the prompts list because I needed an idea to sketch for today and was generally clueless as to what I might attempt. I saw Philippe’s sunglasses sitting on the edge of the table and decided to doodlewash them. We stayed indoors today, still recuperating, so sunglasses were not actually required, but did offer a view of the outdoors at least, reflected in the lenses. After looking for “perfect” sunglasses forever, he finally broke down and bought these from Costco. They’re not high fashion, proven by the fact that they came in a hideously ugly blue plastic blister pack. But even if they’re not the pair he dreamed of, they do the job well enough.
There were so many things I was wanting to get done this weekend, but have now reached the end and realized none of them happened. Beyond just being generally lazy, I also had plans to catch up on blogs and put some finishing touches on this website. Given that aliens invaded my body for the past 24 hours, these plans were not to become a reality. What I did have time to do, was reflect. I thought back to this time a year ago when I was just discovering watercolor and how excited I was each day to start painting again. This amazing sense of newness has always propelled me in life. I love trying new things and have discovered entirely new hobbies over the years from photography to piano.
I don’t play the piano much anymore, there’s a lamp sitting on the closed lid, and my camera sits on the shelf like a trophy of a sport I never won. I briefly worried that watercolor would befall the same fate. But this time, I realized, there’s something different happening. Those hobbies were always runner-up. From the time I was a kid, I’ve wanted to illustrate and write stories. Yet, as I reached middle age, it was painfully clear I’ve never published a book of this sort. Just another childhood fantasy that would never happen. But here I am, each day, writing some little story that comes to mind and illustrating it. Maybe my life didn’t turn out exactly like I dreamed, but in reflection, it’s come pretty close. A blog may not be the same as a bestselling book, but for me, it does the job well enough.
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Cobalt Teal, Permanent Green Pale, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Sennelier: Olive Green. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal. |
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I for one enjoy seeing your doodlewashes everyday and reading the story you have written about it. No it may not be the book you dreamt about writing but it certainly is entertaining. And always well done. Never say never Charlie. You are admittedly only middle age. Cheers Charlie!!
Hehe… thanks so much, Susan!! 😃💕True… I’m just in the middle so there’s as much time left as it took me to get here I guess! There’s plenty of time to write that book!
That’s right!! 🙂 XX
Nice job, Charlie. Sorry to hear of the alien invasion–especially over a holiday weekend.
Thanks, Kirk! 😃 Luckily it came and went quickly enough, so I at least got the equivalent of a normal weekend in.
Way to go!
So glad that you are doing better but you need the downs sometimes to realize where you are at and coming on out on the upside of things, you get to see and appreciate the journey that you have been on. 🙂 blessings dear friend
So true!! Wise words my friend! Thanks so much, Margaret! 😃💕
hehe….comes with a little age 🙂
Awesome to put the reflection in the sunglasses! And awesome you are feeling better.
Thanks, Teri! 😃💕 Glad you like this… and yes… feeling sooooo much better, thanks!
I do believe there is some book in there somewhere – a Doodlewash book perhaps! You are full of so many surprises, and life holds so many surprises and adventures. Who knows what the future holds. I believe something wonderful and bright for you! 🙂 That is an awesome painting of Philippe’s sunglasses!
Thanks so much, Jodi! 😃💕 I have no idea if anyone would actually buy The Doodlewash Diaries… lol… so it’s probably good they’re offered up for free here. I’m sure there’s a book of some kind one day still though. So glad you liked the Doodlewash!
I’m impressed with your Doodlewash accomplishment every day, the art and the writing. You make a lot of people happy on this site, and your positive attitude does indeed do the job well enough. Consider yourself successful. At least you know you’re happy.
Awww thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 I am happy! It’s been such a fun journey and even I’m curious to know where it might lead me next! No clue… which I guess, is all part of the fun!
Charlie, I think things happen for a reason, and just think how many folks you have influenced through your blog. We are all better for it!! I am sure you will investigate new hobbies here and there; curiosity and learning are always wonderful things. However, I hope you always find time to create a little Doodlewash each and every day, too. Oh, and I am glad to hear you are feeling better too! 😘
Thanks, Carol! 😃💕 I’m so happy you enjoy this blog… it’s been so fun to create and watch as it changes into what it wants to become over time. And thank you… feel so much better today!
I appreciate this blog so much, all the artists that I’ve learned about because of your guest bloggers, so thank you for continuing to be so inspirational in this way,
Julia
Oh, that’s so wonderful to hear! Thanks so much, Julia!! 😃💕So happy you’re enjoying Doodlewash!
Sometimes life sends us unexpected surprises that can lead to amazing results…YOU, Charlie are AMAZING and I’m so glad I have met you!! 😍 Keep on doing what you love! 💕💖 You are doing wonderful things with your art, my friend! 💕🎨👍
You’re amazing!! Back at ya! Thanks so much, Jill! 😃💕 Some days I just keep doing and not sure where all this is heading, but it’s still so much fun! hehe
Every day I look forward to your posts and beautiful doodlewashes. To me they are worth much more than a book;-)
Aww.. what a sweet thing to say! Thanks so much, Birgit! 😃💕
Love the shades, and I love even more how they pick up another view, when in a photo or painting it’s like a two for one offer…look closely to see what they see!
Thanks, Rebecca!! 😃💕 Only don’t look too closely… I totally faked in that scene! Lol! Though now looking at it, it is more convincing than I thought at first! hehe
Well I never would have known 😀
Nice idea, an image within an image.
Thanks so much, Graham! 😃 Glad you liked this!
Very inspiring post, Charlie! Love the mirrored landscape in the sunglasses, too!
Thanks! Yay! So happy you enjoyed this one! 😃💕
Hope, there is always Hope Charlie for writing a book. Perhaps not now but later on and for me I am glad that you make this wonderfull blog and watercolor illustrations!
I think wishes are perhaps more important than reaching the goal so stay wishing and than the goal is coming in an unexpect moment!
Good idea watercoloring sunglasses, I shall try to do mine and show you.
Stay as you are, thank you!
Thanks so much, Margriet! 😃💕 I have to admit that sharing illustrations and writing in real time is truly rewarding! And you’re right… just having wishes is an amazing thing!
Great reflections, in all ways. (K)
Thanks so much! Appreciate that, Kerfe! 😃💕
Middle aged…wot? Eh?! 37 is not middle aged…lol. Unless you’ve been telling stories… 😉
A new week, a new website which is looking good on my new PC — yes, I’ve succumbed, a HP 14inch Win10 64-bit. Beautiful. ‘Tho your website text and tones are small/a little light to read well. I do like its style, Charlie! Well done!
Those sunnies speak to me of Spring, which made itself felt today being a balmy and sunny 19degC here in Melbourne. For you, a symbol of Paris to come…tres chic!
Glad to hear you’re feeling much better. Bonsoir!
Ohhhhh…. Thanks, Janina! 😃💕I LOVE you for calling me 37 (even thought I’m actually half way to 46!) Lol And that’s so much for the feedback… I tried to keep the site style but just made the fonts just a touch darker. Let me know if that helps any. I’m only surrounded by Macs and iPhones so I haven’t been able to check how the site looks on a PC.
I, too, have wanted to write and illustrate. And so I paint and I have a blog, but rarely do I put the two together as I dream of doing. I’m okay with that for now. Maybe one of these days I’ll put the two together in book form.
Get well, keep painting, we enjoy your art, stories, and guidance.
Thanks, Lou! 😃 Yeah… I figure I’m putting the two together in blog form at least so that’s a step in the right direction! hehe… One day maybe something more, but I like what I’m doing right now.
Your everyday sketches are a real treat and I like very much reading your
posts because of their narrative quality! You shouldn’t put the thought of
writing a book too far away 😉
Awww thanks, Marita! 😃💕 I’m so pleased you liked my posts! Yeah… I’ve not given up on the book… just not sure yet what it will be about. hehe
The sunglasses, sitting alone, offers lots of imaginative thought. I see a story in this doodlewash! Fabulous Charlie.
Hehe… thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 That’s why I started liking removing the background. It seems to remove a bit of context in a way that I like. Let’s people fill in the details on their own. (well… that and it’s several minutes faster! 😊lol)
I am so envious of your skill for drawing reflective and shiny things! Beautiful work.
Thanks, Annie! 😃💕 I feel like it gets easier each time, so the practice must really be helping then! hehe
I get distracted by shiny objects (like you, I’ve also largely abandoned my piano and camera). The difference is that you are able to turn these shiny objects into beautiful paintings, though — and write this consistently wry and wonderful narrative to accompany them! I have no doubt that you already have the makings of a book in the posts you’ve made here, Charlie.
Thanks, Heather! 😃💕 I might have something in these posts, but cobbled it together into a proper book feels daunting. 😊I’m so glad you enjoy my writing though. I really appreciate it!
I don’t actually enjoy your writing, Charlie. I LOVE IT. 😃💕😊
Awww… you’re too sweet! Now you’ve made me blush! Thanks so much! 😃💕
Doodlewash diaries – is an excellent idea. I’ve only just found your blog – but already I look forward to reading what you have to say!
Awww thanks so much! My earlier posts had a lot more of my personal stories and I tagged them Doodlewash Diary (doodlewashdiary.com)… hehe… so thrilled you found me and like my posts! 😃💕