Day 28 "So many choices"

"So Many Choices"

This is the final image of my February Fish Challenge....the idea of coffee popped into my head. I remember my early experiences with coffee, watching adults sip it and telling me I was too young to drink it. The smell was deliciously intoxicating. Later, my grandmother would let me take tiny sips of hers, very strong stuff with lots of heavy cream added. Definitely German- style coffee. That turned into being allowed to have mini cups, about 1/3 of an adult's cup and by adding sugar, I knew I was onto something good.

On the weekends, the coffee percolator was used...the burbling sound and the lovely smell filling the kitchen coming from the white pot. I had a mini cup and as I was not used to the caffeine, it made me almost euphoric. I finally knew why so many adults made this a part of starting their day. 

I worked my way through one coffee shop's menu as an experiment in experiencing new things. Everything from espresso shots to Italian sounding names of things that looked more like desserts than a cuppa java. All those culminating in today's final painting. 

What is your favorite way to have a coffee?

Day 27 "The Answer"

"The Answer"

 

 

"The Answer," 8 x 10" Watercolor and ink

Day 26 "It's like this...."

"It's like this......."

When I see fish swimming around in a tank, eyeing each other, I wonder what they might be communicating. How are they sending messages to other fish? Two angler fish might meet and both light up, letting the other know they were looking for lunch and if they float and engage in a conversation, some unsuspecting fish might mosey up and be available for gobbling....or maybe even sharing.

Wonder what these 2 are saying...

"It's like this,"  8 x 10" Watercolor, ink and sparkly paper

Day 25 "Moving Day"

"Moving Day"

"Moving Day,"  5 x 7"  Watercolor and ink

Day 24 "Home"

"Home"

Recently, I saw a wonderful video about the way hermit crabs find a home that suits them perfectly. It was delightful to watch and inspired me to do a quick watercolor sketch. Interesting to see how an unusual creature like a hermit crab  situates itself in a comfy, new home.

Have a peek at the amazing process in this 2 minute video
 Hermit Crab Housing Chain


"Home," 5 x 7" Watercolor and ink

Day 23 "Untitled"

"Untitled"

I had a conversation recently with a few other people who ike to paint.  One said coming up with a price was the toughest thing to do when done, while another said selecting the perfect title was way more challenging. My technique for titles comes from my asking, 'what is the name of this painting,' and the answer comes usually within a few seconds. I asked 3 times today for this painting and nothing came. Nada. I waited and asked again. Still nothing.  I take this to mean that the work needs no title.  

I'm going with that then. 

"Untitled,"  5 x 7" watercolor and ink

p.s. What title would you give to this fish?? Just curious.

Day 22 "Suspended in Thought"

"Suspended in Thought"

For the last few days, my "to do" lists have grown longer than usual. I often find myself popping over to Leo Babauta's Zenhabits for a few of his ideas on slowing the pace and going through each day mindfully.  With big snows predicted, I knew his words would offer me some ways to deal more effectively with my last minute "essential supplies" storm shopping extravaganza.

After racing through a crowded store with other last minute  shoppers, I stood in the queue and took a quick look in the cart of the woman behind me. This is actually a very dangerous thing to do because, in my experience, each time I've done this, I've noticed (to my joy and dismay) that something I've LEFT OFF MY LIST  is in that person's cart.  It's uncanny how often this has happened. I'm grateful for the visual reminder of something I really need, but also in the spot of deciding if I want to go back and get it. This poses 2 questions:

Do I go without it?

Do I pay and go back, grab the needed item, and then get into one of the queues that has now grown to about 9 or more people?

Tough call.  Sigh. I decided to let it go and after paying, returned to my car and just sat, removing myself from the chaos. I decided to be like one of the tropical fish I'd spotted last week in a store.

A fish circling the large aquarium it shared with a dozen other exotic beauties, slowly came to a stop and remained stationary, only the side fins moving gently back and forth. The little eye looked around, as if to sum up what it was seeing outside its glass encased world. "Humans, and all their frantic, chaotic rushing. So glad I'm a fish."

I stop myself each day when I feel I'm rushing or on the verge of getting overly busy...and I become that fish. I stand, breathing deeply and in about 10 breaths or fewer, I've touched back down in a calmer, more relaxed state.

Here's my quick way to chill out....
Be like a fish and just suspend for a few moments...see what happens.