On a windy morning this past week, I saw a young child running after leaves left over from the autumn. I could see the child’s joy and excitement.
Maya – one of my youngest models from the Boathouse Studio series. Watercolour.
In that moment I was taken back to my own childhood and in particular an experience I had when I was about seven years old. It was a another very windy day and I was riding my bike down a hill enjoying the feeling that I was flying with the wind.
Observing the little child this week, I was reminded of the playfulness, joy and curiosity inherent in childhood and how vital a foundation block this period of our life is as we move through adolescence into adulthood.
Rapid watercolour demonstration – during workshop on the banks of the River Usk, Wales. Children frolicking in the water…. circa 2004
As we move into adolescence we have a need to find the truth about ourselves. We no longer accept the advice of others – preferring to learn by our own personal experience. I remember this period so well…both as a child and a parent…..
Rapid watercolour of adolescent French boy – circa 1995.
Then as we reach adulthood, we become more caring and responsible for the world around us. We discover a strong desire to fulfil our own unique expression of life. We begin to gain perspective and to stay in touch with our heart.
My daughter Christie – watercolour – circa January 2016.
As we age, having seen many cycles of birth and death, a certain wisdom grows within.
Watercolour – Madame Nottale – France circa 2012
A childlike quality is revealed.
I have observed this with my 95 year old Mother and many others who have reached old age. The delight in a ninety year old’s eyes when a dog or young child visits is the same sort of delight shown by children chasing leaves or experiencing other simple pleasures.
A wonderful quote from Pablo Picasso –
‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he/she grows up.’
Today we can fly above all the madness and be playful like magical hummingbirds…..watercolour
A Bientôt
Beautiful paintings and sentiments too. 🙂
Thank you for your lovely comment…much appreciated…janet:)
You’re welcome. 🙂
Ah….Yes! Just reading about your experience brings back memories for me…as a child! 😉 Hugs!
Thank you dear Bushka….have a beautiful day. Janet. xx
Hugs!
Running with my hair spinning behind me and the crackle of leaves beneath my feet. How you wake memories with your art. Thank you
I love your comment…thank you – nothing quite like it:) janet. x
Magical painting through the ages of life!
Thank you so much – enjoy your day:)
Your words are so true and your pictures magical like the humming birds.
Thank you dear Liz….hope you are enjoying a playful day:)x
Childlike wonder is the only way to survive life from birth to death. I feel so sad when I realise another person has lost it and doesn’t find much happiness in life as a result. Exquisite work alongside wise, wise words, Janet. As always. xx
Thank you so much for this lovely comment, and yes I totally agree with you. To lose childlike wonder and curiosity would be sad indeed. Hope that you are enjoying a lovely day…..Janet. xx
These are the people who look old before their time. I temped at a mortgage company in the ’80s with a bunch of people I had thought were middle-aged and turned out to be younger than me and in their early to mid-twenties. I was astounded. They had no spark at all, no life in their eyes. So sad.
This made me laugh..thinking of you in an office filled with unhappy people….and wondering what on earth was wrong!:) It is so true, people who have stopped being childlike in any way, are often old before their time……yes, very sad. But we will keep smiling, Sarah:):)
We will. 😀
Dear Janet, your skill in watercolor portraits astounds me every time. Thank you so much for sharing your gift here. I’m so happy to know you through this blog. I loved the Picasso quote, but my favorite is one of your own… “Today we can fly above all the madness and be playful like magical hummingbirds…” Here’s to flying above the madness my friend. Have a thriving Thursday. Mega hugs! ❤ 🙂
Good evening from London dear Tegan and thank you for your lovely comment. Yes, here’s to flying above all the madness…we can do it….:) May you be surrounded by colour and magical hummers this day. Janet. xxx
What a magical post, Janet. Beautiful illustrations and so right. I love Picasso’s quotation. He’s so right too…
Thank you so much Olga….Whenever I read Picasso’s quote I am reminded not to let go of playfulness in my work and in my life. Have a beautiful weekend…Janet. xx
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown and commented:
What a creative genius you really are! So much with so little. Totally wonderful! Thank you, Janet.
Good morning and thank you so much for the re blog and for your very lovely comment about my work. It means a great deal to me coming from someone who is so very talented. I hope you have a lovely day ….janet. :)xx
I enjoyed this beautiful journey through life immensely, Janet. Your paintings are incredible, all of them here are so sensuous. I really like the French boy’s face so much, and the hummingbirds. Have a fun weekend of life. 🙂
Good morning, Jet…Thank you so much. I was having an exhibition in Brittany, France in 1995, and at that time painted many of the local people and children….and this boy was one of them. it’s always lovely to look at a sketch or painting and remember the moment I did it:) Hope you and Athena are enjoying a wonderful February 14th. Janet. 🙂
Your dedicated and rich background in painting is such an inspiration to me, Janet. ♥
Thank you so much. 🙂
A special post Janet as you remind us to stay in the childlike mindset and to enjoy what life is offering – the wonderment can’t be overrated. Wonderful paintings – you always inspire me to press forward.
Thank you so much, Mary….your comments are always much appreciated…Janet:)
Wonderful joyous post and outstanding art Janet. (never grow up) Gill xxxxx
Thank you Gil….I never plan to grow up….and hope the same is true for you:):)xx
Such a beautiful idea to showcase life. Thank you so much for sharing your art and thoughts, Janet. It is difficult to pick a favorite, but I do love the French boy’s face expression – very familiar 🙂
Have a wonderful week! ❤
Thank you so much for reading my blog and for your lovely comment…I really appreciate. Hope you enjoy a lovely Monday and week ahead…Jane:)x
This is a brilliant post both in colours and in the ideas.I remember the joy of sliding down a frozen hill on a tin tray and going home wet but happy after an hour or two.Thank you for sharing your perceptions.:)xxxx
I smiled broadly as I read your comment, because I to have frolicked in snow and cold, and gone home filled with the joys of life:) Remembering our childhood reminds us of the simple pleasures….and that we don’t need a lot of money to have fun. Have a beautiful day….and thank you for the comment…janet. xxx
Janet, your lovely post is especially relevant to me, and your paintings particularly poignant because my childhood, described in my Growing Up Stories, is my favorite preoccupation these days. It seems to me that if an artist or writer lives long enough, childhood well may become the main subject too. Novelist John Updike said that nothing that happens to you after the age of 20 is worth writing about. Some of my fondest memories are of being a little boy on a bicycle. Thanks so much for the post.
Good morning David, What a great quote from John Updike – one of my favourite American authors. Perhaps as we get older we see our childhood more clearly and understand the importance it has as a foundation block to our lives….. It also reminds us not to forget the more simple pleasures of life. I must read your, Growing up Stories. Hope you enjoy a lovely and creative day…..Janet.:)
Janet, here is one of my short Growing Up Stories. called “Days and Nights of Youth.” http://wp.me/p4Ia7A-5p
Off to give a workshop this morning. I will look forward to reading this later on…..Thank you…Janet
You have this wonderful gift of passing on powerful messages through simple everyday experiences colorfully and skilfully painted.
Thank you so much. What a lovely comment. I really appreciate this…Janet:)
Thank you Janet.
Good morning. You are most welcome and I hope you enjoy a lovely day…Janet. 🙂
Same to you, Janet.
Preciosas reflexiones y acuarelas. Eres magnífica. Saludos
Once again, thank you so much for your comment…Janet:)
Le he nominado al THE VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD. Pase por mi Blog. Un saludo.
Good morning and thank you so much for your lovely comment. It is much appreciated:) Janet.
Cool paintings.
Thank you so much…Janet:)
lovely set… lovely context too 🙂
Thank you so much – Enjoy a lovely weekend…janet:)