Do you dab life away? What do I mean by this? Well, I’m currently taking an online watercolor class. This is a new medium for me. I’ve painted in oils and mostly acrylics. Watercolor is a different animal altogether. I find myself dabbing away what I’ve put on the paper. In fear. Fear of what? Paint blobs.
Because I don’t know what these blobs will morph into once dried (in short order), I gasp and dab it away. In fear.
Then I got thinking last night, after a session of dabbing away paint that I had put down, that my fear of the paint blob or puddle is irrational. I mean, isn’t the purpose of the watercolor process to do exactly the opposite? Lay the color down and let it puddle and see what happens!
Seeing what happens, apparently isn’t my strong suit. I like to plan. I like to know ahead of time about twists and turns in the road, especially if it’s a new-to-me road. I do this by looking at google maps, or consulting road conditions before I embark on my journey.
Why can’t I just let it go? Stop dabbing away what might turn out to be my greatest mistake. How serious a mistake could it actually be, anyhow?
Not serious enough to wipe away the potential for a different and new outcome.
Not serious enough to not let it be and learn something.
Not serious enough to eliminate its potential.
Dabbing it away before it can even become a shape, is truly trying to control the image before its become anything remotely interesting.
My life now is even-keeled so that there is little need for me to dab it away. Except when I’m learning a new paint medium. Completely irrational.
I was watching “Painting With John” (HBO) last night. John Muir says that “Bob Ross was wrong, not everyone can paint.” Then he points to his own paintings for proof. If you’re an artist, I guarantee you will enjoy this show.
But what I was going to say is, John doesn’t “dab off” any of his watercolor marks. He lets them puddle as he talks about something off topic. Then he (horrors) adds a different color to the same puddle, and moves it around in a trance like state until he decides he likes the shape.
The shapes he creates are basic—lines and rectangles that he makes into monster-like heads. No matter. Whatever. It works for him.
Take a chance. See what will happen. Go with the flow. You might be surprised by the outcomes, the lessons and the pictures you create.
Love life. Make puddles. Jump in them. Mix the colors.
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Mabel Kwong
April 4, 2021 at 3:35 amThis is such a great reflection of life while you tried your hand at painting, Lisa. I thought your work came out fantastic, very realistic faces and beautiful people. I can’t paint or draw very well at all. Your takeaway message is inspiring. A dab of paint may look insignificant just as if you were doing something small and even mundane in life, such as cleaning your house or writing 200 words a day. But if you keep at it, work at it or try different approaches from there, it can all add up and turn out into something so much more meaningful in the end. Good luck with your online classes 🙂
lisa
April 5, 2021 at 9:31 amAw, thank you. Mabel. 🙂 Great analogy! I agree. Keep at it. One day at a time.
Charlotte
March 31, 2021 at 8:11 pmLisa!!!! Oh, I have missed you so so much. It’s great to be back here today, and read your words again. It’s been much too long <3 I love your watercolors and also jumping in puddles. I also wanted to comment on your other post about spring because I feel it so much around me lately, even on days that are overcast and rainy. It's like a weird hope for a new season.
I've never heard of this show before, but I'd also like to argue that not everyone is an artist. I sure as sh*t am not but always appreciate artwork by greats around me 🙂 XOXO
lisa
April 1, 2021 at 9:03 amHello Charlotte!! What a nice surprise to see you 🙂 I’ve been off the grid lately, not even checking in on Instagram. Life gets in the way sometimes. Thank you. Me, too on the puddles. The earth is waking up again.
Ha. Exactly true but so many say it just takes practice. Two schools of thought I suppose. 🙂 xoxo
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
March 24, 2021 at 7:04 pmSuch a great message here. I’m a planner and like to control things too, although I have to admit that with this pandemic, I’ve gotten better about just letting things happen and going with the flow.
Have fun with your art class!
lisa
March 29, 2021 at 10:22 amThank you, Suzanne. Good for you. I’m not sure the pandemic helped me or not. Going with the flow is so important—to bend without breaking 🙂 Thanks, I will. I have to get back to it!
Marcia @ Menopausal Mother
March 15, 2021 at 8:41 amLove the correlation you made in the last line with paint and life itself. I’ve always said I wanted to take a painting class. Also—loved your last post on spring—tried to leave a comment but it said the comments were already closed for that post.
lisa
March 17, 2021 at 9:05 amThank You, Marica 🙂 Painting is sooooo much fun and a good brain challenge. Oh, sorry about that! They should be open for months. I’ll double check the settings.
ShootingStarsMag
February 22, 2021 at 5:17 pmThis is a lovely idea, for both actual painting and navigating life. I’m a planner, but I do think it’s good to just let things happen sometimes too. It’s not always easy.
-Lauren
lisa
February 23, 2021 at 9:56 amThanks, Lauren 🙂 So true and I didn’t realize how much I like to control the outcome of things until I began watercolors. Working on that “letting it happen” thing!
LA CONTESSA
February 22, 2021 at 9:15 amWELL, whatever you did here on your LADIES I ADORE!Did you let the color puddle or did you wipe away?Do you know Heidimichelle.artstudio on instagram?You may get some tips from her!
She came to my home a few years ago when I invited my Instagram followers to come for LUNCH!I ended up having THREE LUNCHEONS!Anyhow, she took some snaps of my home and then did watercolors!!AS A THANK YOU!I have never been so BLOWN AWAY from such GENEROSITY!!
I really LOVE THEM………..
She is very gifted in the flower and animal department too………I think she started painting about 8 years ago!She is older than ME!
XXX
lisa
February 22, 2021 at 9:39 amThank you LA CONTESSA 🙂 The sketch on the left, I wiped away quite a bit. The one on the right I did not. I went back to the one on the left and got braver with the color and the puddles. I think it improved it although I see the ‘over working’ on her.
I recall seeing some of those amazing paintings of your interiors. I will look her up on instagram and make sure I’m following her. That is awesome that you hosted the lunches! LOVE that. It’s never too late to learn something new xoxo
p.s. just went to see and follow her. OMG, her work is gorgeous. No dabbing away there!!
Tamara
February 22, 2021 at 7:42 amBoth amazing lessons – the actual art of it, and the symbolism. My mom is an art teacher and I can still remember that feeling of dabbing away, and wondering if I should or not.
NOT. See what develops.
Also, your watercolors are gorgeous.
lisa
February 22, 2021 at 9:36 amThank you, Tamara 🙂 Yes, I’m going to practice NOT dabbing away! Aw, thank you so much. These are sketches and I may post my final experiments I do with the on line class.
Debra
February 21, 2021 at 12:14 pm😅💖 Touché!
lisa
February 21, 2021 at 2:35 pmHa! Yes!!
Marie Kléber
February 21, 2021 at 9:41 amIn fact it’s what I like in watercolor Lisa…
Let things be and see what happens. I know it’s not always easy but it gives me some freedom. And I am a control freak!!
Good reminder and enjoy your class! Life is all about experiences!
xoxo
lisa
February 21, 2021 at 2:34 pmYou’ve got it right, Marie! I shall learn from you. Freedom to watch it ‘become’ instead of making it happen. love that. Thanks, Marie. It sure is!
Jeff
February 20, 2021 at 5:18 pmNice image, dabbing. That John Muir must be a new one. The one I know (Sierra Club founder and father of Yosemite) would be a bit old for Ross. 🙂
https://fromarockyhillside.com
lisa
February 20, 2021 at 8:57 pmThanks, Jeff 🙂 Oh, yes he’s not the same John. Although this John Muir is no spring chicken.
Balroop Singh
February 20, 2021 at 4:50 pmLove your message Lisa…make puddles…jump in them! While I’ve been telling my grandkids not to jump in puddles and they still find a way, I must confess I love doing so and vividly remember those moments. It’s a natural urge!
How lovely that you are trying to embellish your art with online classes. Colors add zest to life. Stay blessed!
lisa
February 20, 2021 at 8:56 pmThank you, Balroop! Ha! I don’t blame you about telling your grandkids, especially when you have to clean them up after. 😀 Yes, the inner child in us still wants to play in the puddles. Yes, on line class is awesome because you play videos when it’s convenient. I’m really enjoying that. xo
Eli@CoachDaddy
February 20, 2021 at 2:02 pmI love this, Lisa. The reaction is to dab; it gives us control. It takes courage to un-dab. To not rush to that next text, to press for an answer – to stay in “control.” My greatest lesson was to learn how little control I have outside of this very moment. No expectation. Let the paint flow as it will. Know that you’ve created the art already … now it’s time to see what it reveals.
I’ve missed your words!
lisa
February 20, 2021 at 8:52 pmHi Eli, thank you. Exactly. I’m learning. Love this: ” Let the paint flow as it will. Know that you’ve created the art already ” so beautiful. It is hard to ‘let go’ and see what it reveals. Being in this very moment is the thing! Nice to have your voice here.