How keeping a watercolor journal saved my art skills and my sanity
Daddy said, “If you do art for a living, you’ll have to teach school.” I didn’t want to teach, so I took dad’s advice and didn’t choose a full-time art career. Instead, I took the safe route—a dependable job in libraries.
Life is Hard
Over the years, I tried to continue practicing art. Then life happens. Commuting, shopping, becoming a mom, being laid off, and just surviving. If it weren’t for keeping a watercolor journal, my art skills wouldn’t have survived. I don’t think I could have done any art at all. Here’s what kept me going:
Keeping an art journal will help you do art. A “go-bag” with a small journal, pencils, waterproof markers, and pan watercolors. It can be as little as a gallon zip lock you keep in your computer bag.
Next time you are waiting in an airport, sketch that teenager with her phone sitting across the aisle. While in a restaurant, watercolor your salt shaker. At the doctor’s office, whip out your book and do a quick sketch. Color it in later.
Weekends at the lake or a nearby park will give you a lot of subjects to choose from. Outside dining tables or park benches where you aren’t isolated can be safe places to set up and paint. Capture flowers or that passing butterfly in your own backyard.
Vacations are a great time to play with your sketchbook. Don’t be tempted to take too many supplies. Less is more when you are traveling. I’ve sketched from sailboats, hotel rooms, or a bench on a warm day. You can find storefront flowers or a distant tower to paint.
If it’s too cold to go out for lunch, sketch a coat rack with coats on it or the janitor’s supply closet. Yes, the janitor’s supply closet. The cleaning supplies come in a variety of colors and shapes. They stand in rows, just waiting for you to sketch them out.
Once, while keeping my daughter’s chickens. I fed and watered them, then proceeded to sketch and paint those clucking hens.
Sketch coworkers. One of my husband’s most cherished possessions is a sketch a colleague made of him in architecture school. Hint, “you might want to ask permission first.”
Please don’t be deterred because you are afraid of being approached by curious on-lookers. Homeless folks, police, and interested vacationers may comment on your work. Some people will love it, and most will be encouraging. Always work in a safe place where there are a lot of people passing by.
Most of your sketches won’t turn out to be masterpieces. You will be honing your drawing skills and might be getting some much-needed sunshine for your mental health. Work on that tan and absorb some vitamin D.
How have you kept your art skills sharp? Anything you can share with others will encourage them. Where do you like to sketch? How do you find the time to focus on your watercolor journal?
Scripture Meditation: “and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship” Exodus 35:31.