Blue symbolism

"Turquoise Door," 5 x 7 watercolor, Fabriano Artistico extra white 

Favorite color?
That was easy to answer, but how to paint it? It was today's #WorldWatercolorMonth challenge prompt from Doodlewash.
I have used more hues of blue paint than almost any other, and never thought about it much, until I found something about it being the significant color for the name "Terry" recently. 
Coincidence? Probably, unless you're into New Age stuff, but part of what I read fit me, even subconsciously: "The color blue helps attract mental and physical relaxation as well as relief from negative thoughts." I'll take that as an added antidote to the #pandemics of disease, racism and a divisive president attacking our country and mood.  
But there is  blue  that is my most  favorite--turquoise, though it is has many shades of color in nature.
That's the influence of New Mexico, and turquoise also has a spiritual and historic background of thousands of years. For me, the turquoise doors and window frames and  other trim set against the earthen adobe of New Mexico always beckons.
So today's watercolor is a one-brush, a hake, effort--a minimalist multi-hued turquoise, with a touch of some green,  plus a slash of ultramarine for shadow. 
I'm ready to walk through that door, relaxed, just by painting it.

A quiet Fourth of July

"Where the Fourth of July is Quiet," 5 x 7 watercolor, 140 lb Fabriano Artistico extra white cold press paper

"Quiet."
How do you paint that?  Doodlewash's #WorldWatercolorMonth made that today's  prompt. 
Something abstract? I don't usually think that way, and admire those who can do so, though I've experimented some with it. I've been reading Natalie Goldberg's Living Color-Painting, Writing and the Bones of Seeing, where she talks about moving in that direction.
But I have more reading and looking to do, but one person she tells about told her that all art has some abstraction in it. My greatest hinderance in painting is being too uptight. My best work is where I let myself go, and paint what I feel or think, without worrying about details.
Thus came today's watercolor response to the prompt, and we need some quiet in these days of pandemic, racist and political noise.
Some of the most quiet places I know are cemeteries, and I've often tried to paint the veterans' grave stones at Oakwood not far from our house.
Fourth of July isn't usually quiet, but it is in cemeteries, veterans' graves decorated with the American flag. 

When it's time to play

"Playtime," 5 x 7 140 lb Fabriano Artistico extra white paper

"Playful." 
That was Doodlewash's #WorldWatercolorMonth prompt for today.
So appropriate because of the July 4 holiday, and even more this year as people struggle in social distancing to fight the viruses of pandemic, racism, political chaos and hatred.
Where would you like to be? I've had enough "alone" time these past three months...what I'd like to do is find a secluded beach, warm sunshine, loved ones and a dog, and ...you get the picture.
It's time to play, safely, intelligently, but oh we need to be playful to remind  and bolster ourselves of the basic humanity we're missing, that holds us together.
How do you paint ""Playful?" Perhaps, people having fun together.
Thus today's #watercolor,  "Playful."

The Texture of Life

"Adobe Evening," 5 x 7 watercolor, 140 lb Fabriano Artistico extra white cold press paper

Texture. 
The older you get, the more texture you have in your life...wrinkles, yes, and more.
Consider all of nature for that matter, and creation. Texture means interest. Texture is contrast.
Contrast, texture brings drama to all creation, whether natural or human generated, in music, sculpture, photography, painting--the list goes on. 
That's why the best time for photography is early or late in the day, when slanting rays of the sun emphasize the texture of any subject. And in paintings, changes in light bring out the grain of life.
Today's Doodlewash's #WorldWatercolorMonth July 2 prompt was "texture." 
I was stumped until I thought about adobe in dramatic light, and picked up my sponges to emphasize the grand texture, the infinite grain and colors of those earthly buildings. 
Yes, there are a few brush strokes, but the majority of this painting is brushless. Texture.

World Watercolor Month--Rejoice

"Rejoice," a happy robin, 5 x 7 140 lb watercolor

For the past two Julys, I've participated in Doodlewash's https://doodlewash.com/World Watercolor Month challenge of a painting a day. #WorldWatercolorMonth

It's been fun, challenging and productive, even if I don't always follow the suggested prompts.

It may not happen this year after looking at the 31 prompts, but at least it's worth a try to start the month off right.

Here's the list of prompts, and the first of which is to paint "Rejoice."

I like the ideas of the prompts because they stretch my imagination.

After sitting on the back porch this afternoon in this heat, I get to watch birds of all kinds seeking shade, coolness and food and water.

A favorite of mine is a large robin who frequents the bird bath only 15 feet from me. He'll come down, perch on the rim, look around, take a sip, and then jump in, giving himself quite a bath. Then he gets back on the rim, fluffs his feathers, looks around, taking his time.

To me, I think he's thankful for the peaceful back yard and cool water. He's rejoicing.