Frog on a Log (in watercolor)

Do you ever have a day where you just aren't feeling it creatively? One of those blah kind of days when you can't seem to muster up any inspiration? Today was one of those days for me. After enjoying the nice long holiday weekend with my family, you'd think that I'd be raring to go with this week's blog entries. Didn't happen. I wracked my brain all day trying to come up with a craft to do. I flipped through library books on card making, scrapbooking, and floral design hoping they might fan the inspirational flame. Not a flicker. Not a spark.

The kids came home, I helped them with homework, put a meatloaf in the oven. Still nothing. Then my four-year-old pulled out his oft used, muddy-colored basic tray of Crayola watercolor paints. As he worked on his masterpiece at the kitchen table, I plopped down beside him to watch. I hadn't painted with watercolors since gradeschool, but the more I more I watched him, the more I thought how much fun it looked. Tentatively, I picked up a brush. The yellow and orange were blackened beyond recognition, so I began with green, then added some blue. I let the paint run and blend in washes of color across the page. Before I knew it, a picture began to form.




Not bad, huh? For my first grown-up try at watercolor painting? Again, this was with a (very) used Crayola basic 8 color watercolor tray, and regular printer paper. I'm thinking I might pick up some watercolor paper and a better set of paints and play around with it and see what happens.

Okay, so it might be a little silly or juvenile, but it doesn't matter. I think all art is about taking risks, being willing to just dive in and try something new. And putting yourself out there for the world to see. It's so easy to dismiss what you've done, to tuck it away in a drawer or toss it out with the trash. But we all have to start somewhere. It's keeping at it that helps us grow. And if we aren't willing to share with others our humble beginnings, how will they grow with us?

So here you go, my little frog on a log.

Ribbit, ribbit!