Big Things, Little Things


A couple of weeks ago I started a BIG thing.  After many, many years of waiting, I finally made it a priority to start watercolor painting lessons.  I can’t believe that it took me so long to make this happen, but now that it has…I’m totally ready and feeling super-excited!

Here’s a look at some of my new tools and supplies.  So far these tools feel uneasy (in my hand as well as in my mind since it’s hard trying to get a good grip on some of the new concepts.)  However, I hope that after some more lessons and practice, I’ll soon start to feel more comfortable with this challenging medium.  I love the moment when you first recognize that something that used to feel awkward all of a sudden begins to feel easy and natural, and I know that reaching this point usually requires a lot of practice and patience (of course your heart needs to be into it as well.) 

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Here are some recycled mini-bottles that I prettied-up.  They’re for storing different salts that will be used to add more interest to my paintings.  It took about 5 minutes to turn a couple of plain bottles into something a little more special and happy looking.   I’m sure that every time I see/use these bottles I’ll get that smiling from the inside feeling. 

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Embellishing little bottles makes me happy, and looking at them brings me more happy.  Taking watercolor painting lessons makes me happy.   Big things, little things…I love’em all!  How about you, what things bring you joy?  BTW, I’m learning the classical style of watercolor painting.  Already I feel the urge to mix things up, and it’s tough fighting this instinct.  However, once I’ve finished learning things by the book, I plan to let go and dive right in…I can’t wait, even though I feel I must, but only for now.



16 Comments, Comment or Ping

  1. Becky, it’s so awesome that you doing this! Making art and connecting with new blog friends brings me heaps of joy and happiness! I’m really excited for an art class I’m taking this weekend! It’s at an event called Art & Soul and I’m taking a wax painting class. I’m nervous too because I won’t know anyone, but hopefully I will make some new friends. I’m looking forward to seeing your watercolor art.
    Much Love,
    Jenny

    October 6th, 2010

  2. Ivy

    Becky
    I love the bottles and using salt in watercolour produces such beautiful results. It is always nice to have art supplies that make us smile. I love watercolour as well, but have not picked up a brush for awhile. I took classes at our local art gallery about 20 yrs ago and enjoyed it. I found it hard though to be creative only once a week, which was all I had time for back then, but I enjoyed it. I think watercolour is a medium that is so timeless, and will love to see what you create!!
    Hugs,
    Ivy

    October 7th, 2010

  3. Oh, i just love your little bottles! I have a penchant for holding onto bottles and jars of all kinds! I need to fancy them up!

    October 7th, 2010

  4. You will have fun and are wise to learn and then be adventuresome with
    styling. My first class was the scale from black to white and then
    an attempt at a pumpkin, then she let us do a page, folded, each section had an interesting technique, salt, paper towel, bubble wrap…etc.
    She could paint really well, but struggled teaching. I wasn’t able to finish the class, but enjoyed what I learned.

    I love your salt shakers; Great reminders of what is to come, more
    creative endeavors~ enJOY!

    October 7th, 2010

  5. Good for you! I’m so excited that you are challenging yourself with the watercolor painting. I think “reach” is one of your words?! I love the bottles you made for your supplies and can’t wait to hear and see more about this. Blogging is bring me joy right now! I love connecting with like minded souls and sharing inspiration. Have a great week.

    October 7th, 2010

  6. Hi Becky, I’ve been getting caught up on your posts! Sometimes I find it so hard to keep up! I think your painting sounds wonderful! I would love to learn to paint. I have oils, acrylics, and watercolors, but getting them to canvas intimidates me! Weird. Also, I love your little bottles. I have been saving tons of them and haven’t been able decide what to do with them. Yours are so beautiful and now I feel inspired! I always love my visit here, and now I’m off to try something new!
    Hope you are enjoying a beautiful day!

    October 7th, 2010

  7. hello sweet watercolorist!! i love it that you’ve found an entirely new medium that puts such a happy beat to your heart!! enjoy your lessons, and enjoy learning all of the rules……because i KNOW you’re gonna enjoy breaking them (and you’ll break them beautifully, too!!!)!!! if your fabulous little salt bottles are any indication of what’s to come, i truly can’t wait!!! xoxo

    October 7th, 2010

  8. How wonderful that so many of you are into collecting (and embellishing) recycled bottles – it’s good to know that we have this in common.

    October 7th, 2010

  9. Suz

    Hello, dear Becky.
    Well, if you can be brave with your watercolors, I will be brave with my sewing machine! I like the question, “What makes you happy?” because I am not feeling good and need something to put me in another frame of mind.
    1.Dyeing damask napkins makes me happy. I love how the damask designs pick up the dye in different ways. The results are so beautiful!
    2. Making “goody boxes” for friends makes me happy. I buy the inexpensive photo boxes and fill them full of art supplies, chocolate, things I have made, funny things, cute things…When I make them, I almost feel like it is a prayer for that person, as I am thinking of them the whole time. like to be a “sleuth” and secretly find out what they like.
    3. “Glee” makes me happy. I think it is both funny and poignant and one of the most clever movies to come along in ages.
    4. Creating jewelry with my daughter makes me happy. We bounce ideas off each other, sit in silence, watch TV, listen to music, eat take-out, and just generally feel comfortable with each other.
    5. Lying next to my gently snoring husband makes me happy. I cannot believe that I have been married for thirty-seven years and am still in love with him. I didn’t think this is how my life would turn out. The two happiest days of my life are the day I got married and the day I asked my daughter.
    Well, dear Becky, I think you just got more than you asked for!
    xo,Suz

    October 8th, 2010

  10. Becky it’s so funny, but the first thing I noticed in the top picture was those little bottles, more so then the paints, lol. It’s so great to discover the things that make us happy. One of the little things that makes me happy is big junk jewelry rings.. the bigger the better. Do you know the ones I mean? My family always pokes fun, but I love that they are their own piece of artwork right there on my finger! Makes me smile every time.

    October 8th, 2010

  11. Becky, I just bought Somerset Life yesterday and there you were! Congratulations once again on a wonderful article and projects!

    And…I truly believe we are going to be seeing some wonderful art coming off the ends of your new art tools! I’m feelin’ it!

    Hugs, Diane

    October 8th, 2010

  12. Oh you will have so much fun with watercolor! I only took a 6 day local watercolor class at a High School a few years back and became hooked. I still have so much to learn but simply love the light look of watercolor.

    I LOVE how you created your pretty bottles for your salt etc…. You inspire me to look around my house for something laying around that I could embellish to hold my salt and things in too. Everything you create is so special and states beauty, lovely simplicity and warmness. I just love your style.

    Lee Ann

    October 8th, 2010

  13. 15 years ago I had a little cheap set of paints and brushes, looking through a book to teach myself. I’ve taken classes here and there and now I’ve developed my own way of doing things and I use better paints and brushes. I used to only carry a watercolor kit, travel brush and a few 3×5 pieces of watercolor paper instead of a camera. I’m slowly getting back into that habit.

    October 8th, 2010

  14. Yeah, how great! I can’t wait to hear more about it!
    I’m not good at the patience thing or following rules – I always try to find my own way. A friend said to me once, “why try and reinvent the wheel?!” I try to take that to heart now but it’s hard.

    Enjoy the learning curve and the open roads ahead!

    Sally

    October 12th, 2010

  15. Wait till your WC teacher sees the salt bottles! Anxiously awaiting your new creations…enjoy that class.

    October 15th, 2010

  16. Hi Becky, it’s me again! I just wanted to say I was so inspired by those little bottles you decorated, that I made one to give to my friend with her B-day present. I haven’t posted a photo of it because I didn’t want her to see it yet. Thank you for the lovely inspiration!
    Becca

    October 15th, 2010

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