Gerry and I have been playing chess regularly for over a year. When we first started, I made foolish moves and didn’t think ahead. It was a given that he’d capture my king but I was determined to improve so I persevered.
Loss after loss. Angst upon angst. Until, one day, I won! I let out a whoop, did a little dance and celebrated loudly—perhaps in a less than sportsmanlike manner.
Then I went back to losing.
These days, I win a reasonable number of games. My appreciation for the strategy required to control the board increases every time we play. I enjoy chess as much—possibly more—than when we started playing.
I decided to dabble with watercolour painting a couple of months ago and I’m having a grand time with it. I sit at my table, mix colours, and create images that are not technically good but are satisfying to me nonetheless. I watch YouTube videos and get a good measure of fulfillment from observing the process and picking up tips.
In time my work will improve, for now I’m content with the process and the art I am making. It’s not good, but I hesitate to call it bad. Watercolour is doing what I need it to do in this season: it’s giving me space to meditate and ponder using a different part of my brain.
Today is Monday. As I think about the week ahead and the things I hope to accomplish I leave plenty of free space in which to sit in my woman cave, listen to music, think deep thoughts, and wash paint on paper.
As always when I try to like your posts…I can’t. A mystery. Just know I am always reading and liking, or loving as the case may be, your posts. Thank you Linda.
Thank you for commenting, Martha. I appreciate you. I’m stumped as to the comment issue. Technology is a thing of mystery.
Linda, Sorry to burst the bubble, but there is no “bad” art. We may never have our paintings or drawings hanging in the world’s major art museums, but as long as what we draw or paint on a piece of scrap paper is there and makes us “feel” something, then it’s good art. Now matter how many times I’ve looked at a collage I’ve made and say how awful it is technically, I have found freedom to express myself. No matter that someone else would agree that it isn’t “good” art, it has moved me to continue expressing myself in that or another way. Art frees us whether we are admiring it or putting it together ourselves.
Ah yes, you know the power of art, Joan. “Art frees us.” I’m coming to see that is true in watercolour and other media as I’ve known it to be so in writing. Such a gift.
I’m not an expert, but I sure do love that painting! Do you have a favorite YouTube watercolor channel?