Luke Bensing of Valparaiso, IN, our host today for the 7th day of VerseLove at http://www.ethicalela.com, teaches 9th Grade English in Merrillville, IN. Since it’s Tuesday, I’m also writing with the bloggers at Twowritingteachers.org, slicing about a reflection or part of my day.
Luke inspires us to write poems that have alliterative beginning and ending lines and that are inspired by a photo on our camera roll or any other image. You can read his full prompt here. Lately I’ve been dabbling in the fun and challenge of watercolor painting after seeing so many friends’ lovely paintings last month as part of the Slice of Life Challenge. A couple of them were using Emily Lex guides to take them step by step through the process, and it prompted me to pick up a set of watercolors and see what the paint brought out. I started with an inexpensive Hobby Lobby version similar to the Lex guides – this one with a nature and floral theme.
It’s a perfect camping hobby since it doesn’t take a lot of equipment or space, is inexpensive without a ton of supplies or brush cleaners needed, and you can mess up and still fix it. My lofty aspiration in a dream world would be to be like one of those plain-air painters who can sit outside and paint whatever they see. If the water stays wet, I’ll be one of those low-grade types, never having true talent like my children have (they got that from their father), but just enough skill for the trying will make me happy. In retirement, I dream of traveling the United States in a Winnebago View model 24D and paint the sunsets in the National Parks and write poetry with my 3 schnoodles curled around my feet, behaving like normal dogs (if I’m dreaming, I’m dreaming big). So today, I’m going for the gusto. I’m in the learning phase in an InTech Aucta Willow Rover in a Georgia State Park painting lilacs from a step by step guide.
If it all falls to pieces, I’ll go for the paint by number sets next.
I chose a lilac for an alliterative haiku, inspired by this image below. A novice attempt at the painting, but a start nevertheless.
Lilac Haiku
purple-pink petals
watercolor blossoming
bristles brushing blooms
Common Threads 
I like how you took us on a journey from a budding hobby to an alliterative haiku. You’ve now got me thinking about trying out watercolor as a new hobby, too. Love the sounds this line makes- “bristles brushing blooms”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Aggie! It is fun, and I hope you try it. You could paint all your amazing photographs!
LikeLike
So much good stuff to think about in your slice, Kim. I love the idea of alliteration in the first and last lines of a poem. It goes along with what I teach about bookending writing. In the paragraph having a clincher sentence that repeats from the topic sentence. In a skinny poem doing a variation of the first line in the last line. In a story having an object at the beginning that doesn’t show up again until the end. In painting, sunsets and sunrises. I’ve always thought doing watercolors would be fun… maybe some day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Alice! I appreciate your reading and the bookend writing sounds fun!
LikeLike
Kim,
As soon as you mentioned watercolors, I thought, ‘Oh that’ll be a great retirement hobby for Kim.’ Glad to see, reading on, that you’re not only thinking of that, but dreaming big, pairing it with travel, and well-behaved dogs. Ha.
Love seeing your lovely watercolor. I would not have guessed you were a beginner.
I love the sound of “bristles brushing blooms”
Arjeha also wrote of flowers today and I did, too.
I won’t be surprised if other slicers did as well.
Spring!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sharon! Loved seeing your pedal with pause and Tricube Trifecta today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kim, your words and images are magical. I too have been exploring watercolors with my fancy schmancy, over-priced kit! My work is not ready to be shared any time soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anita, glad you are enjoying it – – it is very peaceful for sure, productive in soothing ways and probably not marketable or shareable, but hobby worthy at least! Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
I applaud your painting, poetry, and slice! You are going after your dreams. I had to laugh at your dreams for your schnoodles. If they are anything like my miniature schnauzer, they have personality plus!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lori, thank you and yes – – it’s that “plus” after the personality that is hard to wrangle.
LikeLike
Kim, I’d say you are off to a beautiful watercolor experience. And writing poetry to go with your art is the icing on the cake. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Oh, my gosh, I laughed when I read that your “normal” acting dogs would be at your feet in your big dreams! So, so funny. The national park painting sunsets part would be the easy part, no? Your haiku is sweet, and that painting is yours? I first thought it was part of the book, but then you mentioned “novice” so I think you painted it. I love it. I think the step by step books must be very helpful! All the best as you keep up the dreaming! Retirement will be here shortly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Denise! I am counting the days and ready for some travel and writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person