(+5 insets)

Creativity Exploration, Incoming!
I have always been a creative soul and have really enjoyed exploring my artistic interests as I've grown up and matured. Photography and writing are my greatest passions--they allow me to express myself so clearly in the ways that I feel and what touches my heart.

I've explored many outlets though...my career in graphic design gave me freedom to play with typography, composition, colors, layers, etc. As a younger person I loved using acrylic paints to customize model horse figurines. I've also used a lathe to turn pens from pieces of wood, something that's really amazing! Those are just a few examples of my creative journeys.

Watercolor
Lately I've been seeing watercolor paintings and suddenly it hit me: I've always wanted to try painting and watercolor really sings to me. I should give it a try! WHY NOT? What am I waiting for?

So I placed an order the other day, I now have books and have also been watching YouTube videos. Soon I'll embark on this new adventure...I'm so excited! Stay tuned!

Doodling
At the same time as I was looking into watercolor, I discovered another pastime that people enjoy called doodling, That's something I've always enjoyed (especially during a mind-numbing meeting or being stuck on the phone with someone reciting War & Peace), but I didn't know there was a huge following. Do a search on Google and you'll be amazed! It's a scribble-filled-extravaganza out there!

Reading more, I learned there are some important benefits to making doodles. Artistic pastimes of any type are recognized as a creative way to meditate, as most of us know. But doodles too? That got my attention. I've always dismissed my scribbling as a gigantic waste of time, but in fact, they are a good thing to do, especially if you feel out of sorts or want to chill out and relax.

I noticed something called "Zentangles" or "Zendoodles," which are practiced on 3.5" square pieces of heavy paper or framed as 3.5 squares on larger pages. The small size is attractive because it's inviting instead of intimidating. Seeing the beautiful designs pushed me over the edge and I've decided to play in that arena too. I never realized that I felt like I needed permission to doodle and now that I'm getting a green light, I'm all over it!

Today's Picture
Robins are so much fun to watch! Our American species isn't related to the darling and smaller robin in Europe, so I bet it has different mannerisms too. Our birds charge around in the grass with purpose and then stop to look and listen for sounds of animals stirred up by their actions. Bugs and worms are their favored prey and they spend hours stomping across lawns and open ground with creepy meals on their minds. Often a meadow or lawn will have a dozen or more birds all running around this way and that, and it makes for a great show to enjoy.

This bird was just one of the many I saw at the big meadow along Eel Lake at Tugman State Park. I've shared other pictures of them, and this one I thought would be a nice pick for a main image. Magnificent bird! :)

Today's Insets
I'm also including some other neat finds, discovered on my daily walks....
Inset 1: Wooden bird houses erected at the shore's edge were ready for families to move in and this barn swallow was hard at work!
Inset 2: One morning I saw a Mallard hen swimming with her babies and managed to get this small picture before she led them away from me!
Inset 3: The vibrant, lush forest that borders the trails at Tugman State Park are incredible!
Inset 4: I couldn't help myself from capturing the cool texture from a saw on this log.
Inset 5: Here's a picture of my first two (current) doodles! I wanted to color them in because I just couldn't resist but in the future I'm going to concentrate on black ink and pencil because I'd like to focus on the meditative aspect of creating new doodles until I have done a bunch of them. :)

Thank You For Your Visits!
It's great to hear that my babbling doesn't put all of you to sleep, so thanks for letting me know! :) Thanks too, for all of your nice comments too...I have been fighting depression again--it's hard to beat back the sad news hitting me from everywhere--but when I read your thoughts, it brings me right out of the doldrums! :) Here's hoping that the rest of you are doing great! Have a healthy, happy week!!