Watercolor Memories

Sometimes, when looking for inspiration to write to you, I look through old photos.
Today was one of those days, and it yielded so many watercolor moments.
Postcard/journal-sized memories.
I thought you might enjoy the stories behind a few….and find renewed inspiration to make your own watercolor memories.

Many/most were done on location, in the moment. Those I love best of all. They press the aliveness into the very fibers of the paper.

This journal entry holds bits and pieces of Provence. 
Rosé and laughter with folks I rarely see these days (due to distance) but who have woven themselves into my being with their kindness, generosity, and adventuresome spirit. 
Fresh cherries (picked from the tree in the backyard of this Provencal home) and a bouquet of flowers from the market (of course!) round out things gathered in one spot in my journal.
Are you curious about what I wrote here? Me too. I had to zoom in on the photo to see, so I’ll share them here for you so you don’t have to!

‘Cherries picked in France and eaten on the spot while sipping rosé with those we love that make life especially sweet! Friends who make me laugh are some of the best people in my life!’

This next one was done on location in Paris. People were coming and going catching the Metro, and a homeless man was sleeping across the way as I made some magic on the page (and lest I sound boastful, all art-making, including yours, IS magic making!)

‘It settles in slowly to the soul that Paris is both inspired and inspiring.’

Then there were the lavender fields of Lherm, France, cultivated by such a graceful and full-of-life couple, Susie and Ian. I was blessed to ride in their car, the one that had eyelashes (seriously! large plastic eyelashes over each of the headlights!!)…and dine with them while overlooking their handiwork of fragrant fields. The opposite page in this journal entry captures a morning breakfast centerpiece in Frayssinet.

‘Any day spent amongst the lavender is a day well spent.’

‘First into breakfast this early French morning, petite bouquets of fresh cut flowers. Little kitten Loki played, camped, and napped in my lap. What a sweet way to start.’

The postcard below, a quick sketch done while having a cappuccino, was painted in Sarlat, France…a storybook-like place!

Not surprisingly, I do have more watercolors scattered about in various journals (and on
postcards that somehow didn’t get mailed.)
All of them rekindle my love for being present and doing what I love to do.
This last one is me in my natural habit (wink, wink) barefoot, in linen, painting in my Italiano journal on a hillside perch in Tuscany.

Yes, this photo was posed (notice those dry watercolors), but the painting did take place while there. One doesn’t always have a great photographer on hand to capture the moment when ‘inspiration’ and ‘I can’t wait to paint this’ meet;-)

I hope this finds you doing ever so well. May some of what I shared here inspire you. Real magic is everywhere, and never more so than when we allow ourselves the pleasure of just making our marks.