Sidebar #1

 

 I say "Sidebar #1" because I foresee a "#2...".  What do I mean?  I mean that there is something I want to talk about - art adjacent. And it may or not be a new thing I am discovering, but like today it falls under "Doing art to make other people happy".  Last post I wrote about a the mouse on a stump that I water colored and the neighbor's family took it.  That brought ME incredible joy.  Anytime anyone wants something I make, I will generally give it to them. Generally.😎  I bought the book "Painting Woodland Watercolors" so I could paint little animals better than I could then for my little niece to enjoy.  I bought a book for her with lovely paintings in it for Christmas.  I got to thinking it would be a lot more meaningful to have her own auntie make some pictures for her and put a story of them with them.  I might include them on the blog occasionally.  Inspo for those who could probably do it a lot better than I could.  

But today I want to talk about something I got the notion to do from something I was already doing.  Back in the 2010's I started writing encouraging words on paper, attaching a string and putting them on the waterfront path or on windows of cars.  Yes, littering.  I know. But if they tossed it aside, someone else might pick it up!  Anyway, during the pandemic I was walking back from a walk and I saw a woman pick one of my notes from the bush by the path.  She stopped and held it to her chest.  It literally brought tears to my eyes (I am not a crier at ALL). It was a gift for both of us. 

Recently,I stumbled upon another way to make rando people happy.  I put little artworks in my window.  I live in a community where people are out ALL day long walking.  They often pass by my window and if the blinds are open they wave. Some ask me (when they see me out walking) what I am working on.  I decided I would show them.  I have started putting out little things I am working on out in the window for about 24h. Ive done 2 so far.  A water colored dog.  I put him out because he literally give me joy to look at:

and this little moth (out there in the window).  

Little nothings.  But I have caught people looking at them.  No hands to heart but they slow down or stop and smile or just look.  A nice diversion for my neighbors.  Many of whom are walking dogs so the dog was probably appreciated.  My friend thinks her father visits her as a butterfly.  I hope she passes by and thinks it is a relative.

My point is I hope that you find at least some of what you make useful and joy producing for random strangers.  And I hope you get to see it.  That is its own reward.  And it is a big reward.