Personal stories and reflections of creativity and painting
It’s a warm, lazy, summer afternoon. Close your eyes. Imagine lemon drops squeezed onto the tip of your outstretched tongue. Suddenly! Your focus is pinned to the sweet tartness in your mouth. What a way to be with the present moment! ______ NOTE TO SELF: “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is … Read more
I’d like to share with you two different iterations of a watercolor I painted of my brother’s beloved cat, Toño. My initial inspiration was from a photograph taken of Camilo working while guarded by Toño, who wanted to make sure Camilo wasn’t disturbed. You can see how serious Toño is from his expression in the … Read more
Have you read the article by Mark McGuinness on getting your inner critic off your back? Mark’s article describes the challenge of inner negative talk and its contribution to creative paralysis. He offers a practical strategy to counteract this tendency. Through the use of just two humble words even and though, he demonstrates how to disarm … Read more
Last year, in June, John and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We honored each day in that month by doing something small but significant in appreciation for all our years together. In my sketchbook, I painted a mini watercolor, illustrating our special ritual each day. Here is a photo of that page. Since we … Read more
Do you have a pet, a very spoiled little pet that you love with all your heart, and one that accepts––or demands––all the attention you can give? Since I have featured a a little mouse painted in watercolor, here on this site, my sweet cat, Coco, wanted to be featured as well. Of course! On … Read more
Don’t you love when you feel good and productive in your creative corner? Last weekend was a productive one as I spent most of it in my studio doing all sorts of things: • I organized my watercolor paint tubes by color family and stored them in empty face-moisturizer jars. It turns out that these … Read more
Yesterday we found our kitty, Coco, standing in front of a tiny mouse shivering in fear on the kitchen floor. When Coco finds a mouse she just loves to play with it, and hasn’t realized–in the five years of her young life–that with one easy swipe her sharp little claws could quickly end its life. … Read more
Do you ever have terrifying thoughts when you’re just about to board an airplane? The theme of the poem Passengers* by poet Billy Collins comes from his thoughts about just that, and thoughts which I’ve experienced myself, when boarding a plane. Maybe you have, too. “Will I go together with this group of people to … Read more
Are you ready to be inspired and try a project like this? It can be adapted to any occasion you might want to celebrate. Some people have mentioned doing a similar project as a memory of their vacation or to celebrate the life of someone they love very much.John and Leyla’s anniversary watercolor project came … Read more
As the month moves along, we’ve had a lot of fun with the warm reactions we have received via Instagram as I have shared this anniversary watercolor project with you all. Thank you for your good wishes! In case you have not been following, this is what the project is about: To celebrate our 30th-wedding anniversary … Read more