Painting and The Postcard Project

morning walk

I have a bunch of half-written stories and first chapters of books, and I’m harsh on myself. I’m sure it’s the same with most writers, but I’m my worst critic. But when I do finish something, it feels really good to share it. I appreciate you taking the time to read it. To be 100% transparent, I write for a handful of people. I’m never going to be a famous writer, and I’m not planning on making in money from this, and maybe it’s the narcissism talking, but man, those notes, emails, and comments I get, that’s really all I need.

Want a good laugh? Ask me to draw something. I’ve always thought I had no artistic talent. It’s funny how we put ourselves into boxes. I was told I was a bad artist. I probably told myself I was a bad artist, but at least I could write, so I fell back on that.

But then I saw this backpacking watercolor kit, and I thought it would be fun to try it. I’ve reached the age where I could give a fuck what most people thought about what I do, or what I create. But I do care about that handful, and if you’ve reached this far, you’re probably in that group.

I love this video of this kid DJing for his 3 friends. We should all be so lucky.

I started with watercolors by pulling up my camera roll and trying to paint some of the pictures from the places that stuck with me.

The first watercolor I did was from a hike on our recent trip to Scotland. It’s not good.

first attempt

I loved it.

What I loved most about it is that it connected me to that moment in time. It brought back the memory of the people I was with, the beauty of being outside, the smells, and the small details that I had forgotten. I also loved that I wasn’t worried about messing up. I was a kid trying something new, and hoping that it would make it to the refrigerator.

happy tree

I’ve painted more, and my search history looks like this:

How to make orange.
…make purple.
…make black less black.
…clean a brush.
…talk to teenage girls.
…no, no, not like that. how to talk to my teenage daughter.
…paint a tree.

Really amateur stuff. Some of the paintings were good, at least I didn’t want to throw them away. Some of them not so much. But it doesn’t have to be good. My goal is to be that kid in kindergarten who thinks what they are creating is good, before well-meaning friends, critics, or teachers say maybe art isn’t for them, or worse.

alpine start wtih beck

Data shows that not many people make it to the bottom of these things, but I don’t know, I hope people read this, because I want you to know that I appreciate the handful of you that do.

I have a bunch of stamps and my watercolor paper is postcard size and nobody sends mail anymore (except for my mom, and it’s special every time I see that cursive handwriting).

joshua tree and a crow

What I’m getting at is that I’d like to send you a postcard, something I painted with a poem or something on the other side. It will motivate me to paint more, and it’s a way to say thank you for being in that handful.

So, if you’ve read this far and want one of my kindergarten paintings, leave a comment below, or send me an email, and I’ll DM you for your address. And don’t be embarrassed about it, even if I’ve never met you, especially if I’ve never met you, that’s a beautiful connection. It might take a while, but I’ll get to everyone.

poppies