I’ve been watercolor painting step-by-step from paint-on-page instructional books on weekends, writing haiku, and relaxing in the paint peace. A Slice of Life blogger shared her Emily Lex watercolor workbook in March, and it reminded me of the one I’d seen in a shop in Woodstock, Vermont but didn’t buy because of the lack of luggage space. And then I was drawn back to wanting to (try to) paint.
It’s not like I’m talented or anything. Not naturally, anyway. But I can read and follow directions. It’s what I told a friend who once said she was glad her mother never taught her to cook so she would never be expected to. “If you can read, you can cook,” I assured her. And so it is with painting. If I can read, I can (try to) paint.
Fellow blogger Glenda Funk discovered she loved watercolor through a recent painting class I also signed up for, but my work life prevented my attending the actual classes, and in the midst of testing season I didn’t find the time in the evenings to go back and watch the recordings. Her paintings are vibrant and beautiful – the kind you can frame and put on your wall. When I’m retired, I will take a sure ’nuff painting class either online like Glenda or in person like fellow blogger Margaret Simon, who is also finding joy in the process. So does Anita Ferreri. Fellow blogger Debbie Lynn has also shared her gorgeous sketches and art forms, and more and more I’m inspired by all that our writing community does to express creativity through various forms of art. I wish we had an Art Market blogging day so we could share blog posts on how we blend writing and other art. I’d love to see more.
One flower new to me is a protea, and while I’ve never seen a protea in person, they remind me of a tall, thin water lily like on the logo above. Apparently the painting is relaxing me more than I realize. I came home from work yesterday all stirred up over an issue, and after listening to me whine for a while, my husband said, “You just need to sit down and paint.”
And I was relieved that he didn’t say, “You just need to cook.” He is alive and well this morning because of it.
Protea Haiku
pink, red, yellow, white
nectar-rich cone-shaped flower
South African bloom!
Common Threads 
I like your comparison of painting to cooking. I can read a recipe, even though I usually have to read and reread, read and reread. I’m not a confident cook. Nor does it relax me. Quite the opposite. The thing about painting is it puts me into another space in my head. The space where poetry resides, too. I don’t share every poem I write and won’t share every painting, but they are both compelling and creative. To me, cooking is just reading.
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Margaret, you raise a great point! Sometimes there is art and enjoyment in cooking and presenting food, and other times it’s just reading. Whereas painting always seems to captivate us, and despite the steps, we still have the creative flair of doing things a different way and it still turns out. Yes, yes – – poetry resides there too. Thanks for always adding such rich insights.
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Such a great post where you’ve combined painting and poetry with a comparison to cooking. It’s all about CREATING and you are so cleverly doing it all. Your confidence will grow with more practice because the goal is expression, not perfection!
BRAVO!
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Thank you, Fran. Step by step painting is like riding a bike with training wheels…..and mine may never come off, but it’s just as fun. I love that goal of expression.
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I love your watercolor paintings! How inspiring and fun to find a new joy in life, Mom!
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Thank you, Mallory! I appreciate the comments and hope you got your paints today – – you’re in my happy, always.
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Kim,
We’re gonna have to make time for painting together when we’re in Portland. I’m gonna buy some travel supplies to pack in my carry-on. I love these botanicals you’re painting. This one is so lovely. I wish more people understood how empowering reading is. I’ve been following the recent reports about the decline in reading. It’s heartbreaking. We are so blessed to have creative outlets to help us through hard times.
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Absolutely, let’s paint in Portland! I’ve got a small travel set of watercolors that folds up, and I’ll bring a small watercolor tablet too. Hopefully with some sketches already done. Thanks for reading, and yes – – we are so blessed to be readers. There is never a dull moment when we read, write, paint, and travel. Thanks so much for encouraging me.
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I like that you are venturing into painting, even though you aren’t that good (yet). We only get better with practice. Well done on your painting and your haiku! 🙂
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Thank you so much! I do enjoy the process and the deep peace it brings – – it takes my mind off of the things that trouble me.
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You captured that difficult flower well! I especially love the humor at the end of your piece, and let’s not forget the wisdom of your husband, to send you into that painting “zone!”
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Fran, thanks for reading! Yes, he knows I get quiet when I paint – – and that is a good thing for him to know :).
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Kim, it’s very true! I remember discovering my mom’s Better Homes and Garden cookbook when I was about 13, and I’ve been fascinated with cooking ever since.
I love that your husband suggested you take some time to paint-a way to unwind and relax. I bet you slept well.
And I like your idea of a way to share art like we share writing. I’ve enjoyed reading about your water color journey and your haiku poems.
Thanks for the recognition. Now I’m inspired to get my paints out today. 🙂
Retirement is just around the corner for you! 🙂
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Thank you, Debbie Lynn! Your sketches from Galveston are amazing. Makes me want to learn how to sketch too. There is a book called Fool’s Gold about nature collage and other ways of enjoying nature by Susan Wooldridge that makes me think of the way you find such excitement in the outdoors and manage to capture it in your art. I’m glad you’re painting!!!
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Thanks Kim. I’m going to check out her book! 🙂
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Your husband is a KEEPER and your use of painting to unwind and vent is amazing.
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Thank you, Anita! He is good for me.
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The idea from your slice that if you can read, you can do it! Thanks to you and Glenda, I may give watercoloring a try! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Sally, thank you! I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much but I needed something brand new, fun,portable, and inexpensive to do in retirement. A fellow slicer inspired me to pick up a brush. I learn so much from others here!
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Kim, Glad your new hobby is calming. Your focus on following instructions is so reassuring. I’m going to remember that someday when I make the time to try watercolors. The hobby does seem to be sweeping the slicer community! Enjoy!
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Thank you, Sharon! Loved your bike ride post – you make me wish I were on a sunshine yellow bike with a basket of daisies and pink and orange 1970s daisy stickers all over it. I wish I had your photography skills and a great place to ride! You make each ride so fun.
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Well now, all of these painters have got me wondering if I should give it a go! (I think I probably should focus on my dollhouse project since I’m very far behind – but maybe I could make a tiny watercolor to hang on the wall). I love your protea and the haiku inspired by it. I had to smile when you said your husband survived because he didn’t suggest you de-stress by cooking! I can relate to that for sure.
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Thank you, Lori! I think the dollhouse project is the perfect peaceful art project with all its creativity and design. My daughter used to create miniatures in the form of something that looked like shadow boxes on a theme and I envy great eyes that can see things that little. That, my friend, is a beautiful art form, and I like that it is your happy art place.
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