the ask@AAR: Have you picked up a new hobby lately?

I can’t say why I decided, after never having done it, to take up painting. My husband and two of my children are very good artists. I am not. This is not to say I don’t create–I make jewelry but, in the past few years, I’ve not been inspired and have only made pieces on request, rather than just doing it because it’s fun.

However, last week, I was struck with the desire to give painting a whirl. We had a set of watercolors in the house and I decided to try my hand. I joined my daughter at the kitchen table–she paints non-stop which is a great boon to all who know her–and dipped a brush.

My first piece, a painting of my son’s dog Zion, was, at best, possibly recognizable as a dog. That’s about all I can say.

Nonetheless, I was undeterred. Next, I tried a self-portrait which was, I think, marginally better.

This was fun. So, of course I decided I needed MORE paints so off to the art store I went–thank you Cheap Joe’s!–and bought many many tubes of watercolors, a palette, and a brush set.

I hazarded I might be more successful if I worked from a photo. I like the shot my mom used for her Christmas card this year, taken at the Rockwell Museum–an amazing place–and set to work. This one took me hours but, clearly, I improved. (I am in the black and white skirt!)

That night, I went to bed thinking of what I’d like next to paint. Flowers? More portraits? Should I take a class? (You’ve seen my work–the answer is obviously yes.) I dreamed of color and, upon waking, couldn’t wait to start a new canvas.

This time, I took two pictures, one of my sister’s family at my nephew’s recent college graduation, the other of the inside of their living room. I sketched in where I thought things should go with a very light pencil and began to paint. Over the next two days, I worked on the portrait every chance I got.

It’s not perfect but I like it well enough to give it to him–he’s working for AmeriCorps, so I’m sure he’ll have no money for art! He’ll be grateful, right?

Look, I know these look like an eighth grader painted them but, whoa, it is fun to paint. I enjoyed myself so much I almost forgot to write today’s Ask!

So, I’m hooked. I have a new hobby: painting. I’m going to try acrylics next, maybe even work my way up to oils! And if my work sucks, that’s OK. I am doing this for me not for acclaim or adulation.

How about you? Have you taken up a new hobby lately? If not, have you considered it? And if you did, what would it be?

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