One thing I have always loved about my birthday. My celebration requires nothing big or small: it just requires meaning.
Tonight, my Beloved is making lobster on the grill--and sweet corn (heaven on earth if there is such a place!). :)
Today, however, I spent doing something that is meaningful to me: sitting outside and painting and drawing.
Yesterday, I went to Michael's to pick up some canvases for my acrylic work, and on a whim, picked up a book of watercolor paper.
Last night, I decided to call upon a good friend of mine in Texas who is a talented artist and accomplished in watercolor. I decided to ask her opinion about how to actually to DO watercolor.
(For those of you artists, this exchange is actually pretty funny.)
ME: Hey Donna! I have a question. I just bought a book of watercolor paper. I thought it would be fun to start something new. But I have to ask, "What 's my watercolor vs. acrylic ratio?
Donna: Well, watercolor doesn't exactly work like that.
And she very patiently runs me through a crash course in Watercolor 101.
(Poor Donna. I think she must die a little on the inside when I ask her certain questions. Like when I asked her if it was okay to run my paintbrushes through the dishwasher in a mesh lingerie bag. Her response: an emphatic: NO!!)
This morning, I took my paints and watercolor book outside and did my best. This is what I learned: watercolor is hard.
To that end, I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to own a sketch pad and learn how to draw. You know. A little.
As it happened, for my birthday, I picked up a (real live) book on fashion illustration, and it is beautiful. I always thought it would be fun to make my own clothing (or at least some pieces).
Two things thwart my dream:
- I can't draw.
- I can't sew.
One of my greatest obstacles is that if something doesn't come easily to me, I don't want do it. I assume I can't. Writing it easy--well, easy in the mechanics and grammar--often more difficult in tone and audience.
Maybe this time I can tell myself differently. :)
(And writer's block: horrible)
My birthday efforts from today:
Watercolor adventure: grapes |
Inner Grace Perfume Bottle |
Inner Grace Font |
Jo Malone Rendering |
New Book!! |
Pencil Skirt Rendering |
(images courtesy of Framed In The Doorway)
Pre-birthday love.
xo,
B
Love this:)
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