Another trip around the sun

"Birthday Journey," 5 by 7 watercolor, 140 lb. d'Arches cold press paper

Specks. That's all we are on this planet, in this solar system, in this galaxy, in this universe. Fluid specks, atoms constantly moving in space and time.
"You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes," --James 4:14.
Nothing like a birthday to put life, existence, in perspective. Every  moment is a journey that cannot be repeated.
Maybe that's one reason seeing the stars at night make me happy, especially in rural areas where you can still see the Milky Way. 
Nothing is permanent, and we waste time and effort pursuing, valuing material things and goals that delude us into thinking we are more than just specks in a fluid universe.
Enjoy now.

Day 5 of #WorldWatercolorGroup "Happy" challenge.

The taste and smell of "Happy"

"Coffee with Clark," 5 by 7 watercolor, 140 lb. d'Arches cold press paper

Coffee runs in my veins.
Any time is coffee time, whether it's the smell and taste of fresh-brewed in the morning, or poured from a thermos on a long road trip, or in the afternoon of a cold winter day while trying to paint, write or read.
Coffee brews memories, from my parents buying chicory coffee from the Jewel Tea truck in Fort Worth long ago, or Mom drinking it every day in the warmth of our kitchen, or the first time I tasted it on an overnight road trip with Dad from New Mexico to grandmother's funeral in East Texas, or with special people in special times and places over the years.
"Coffee with Clark" is not an accident, for a blog, a radio show, a column.
Paint "Happy"-- Daily #WorldWatercolorGroup #watercolor challenge. What makes me happy? Even painting today's watercolor.

Tangerines and Turquoise

Tangerine Beach, 5 by 7 watercolor, 140 lb. d'Arches cold pressed paper

On cold winter days like this week, what would make me happy? 
Walking a warm tangerine beach in a tropical evening, as the turquoise waters gently lapped the sand.

(Day three of "Happy" #WorldWatercolorGroup challenge)

Palette--an orange, two reas, turquoise

Misty Turquoise Moon

"Turquoise Moon," 5 by 7, 140 lb. d'Arches cold pressed paper

Paint "Happy," January's daily challenge from @Doodlewash #WorldWatercolorGroup.
What makes me happy? Turquoise again. Super moon light, made misty by skien of high ice clouds. A cabin.
Inspired by last night's super moon, and thoughts of the  old song: "In the misty moonlight, by the flickering firelight, everything is all right, when I'm with you."

Palette--turquoise.

Turquoise Dawn Happiness

"Turquoise Dawn," 9 by 12 watercolor, 140# d'Arches cold pressed paper

"Paint Happy Things," is January's  daily challenge from Doodlewash Watercolor Painting and  Sketching monthly challenge, which I took part in back in July. 
Although I didn't  didn't follow the challenge this past December, July was the inspiration to painting every day, and now, it seems it's time to try it again. 
While I may not follow all their prompts,  but..., I asked--What makes me happy? 
The colors of turquoise, the sound of a waterfall in a warm forest morning maybe with a New Mexico cabin hidden in the distance. 
So here 'tis, Jan. 1, 2018--Happy New Year--"Turquoise Dawn," 9 by 12, 140 lb. d'Arches cold pressed paper. #Worldwatercolorgroup 
And my personal (painting, and living?) goal is to be more bold, experimental, and abstract --taking risks.
This is a time, a need,  for bold happiness, for taking risks, for experimental living in the now. 
"Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony."--Thomas Morton