Joy
A friend gave me the gift of joy for Christmas. It came in the shape of a flowery mug filled with colourful chocolates and the word joy was stamped right in the middle.
Eating the chocolates brought its own kind of joy but then I started to imagine the flowers springing to life and pouring out of the mug.
Painting joy had to be the next step because who doesn’t need a little painterly exuberance during the winter months?
Watercolour, oil sticks and a little collage helped me fill two sketchbook pages so full of joy, I couldn’t help smiling.
I like to make birthday cards for friends and family and I am always looking for new ideas. I know I could get my artwork printed but there’s something oh so personal about a hand painted card.
It always surprises me, how many of these ‘mini artworks’, become treasured keepsakes so this year I am giving away joy.
As I was rummaging through some old, unfinished paintings, I found a flowery scene with a similar colour palette to the mug. It has a great sense of movement and the flowers look like they could have flown off the cup of joy.
I am going to play around with it to see where it takes me.
The grandchildren have their own special brand of joy. We sat, one morning, making our own serviettes out of kitchen roll.
As we painted, the watercolours soaked into the absorbent ground, fusing together in unexpected shapes and patterns. ‘Watercolours burst with happiness’ said Our grandson in delight.
Joy can be a gift but also a challenge. In the midst of life’s hard times, it’s a choice. Will you choose joy today in the middle of your circumstances?
Be childlike and play with watercolours, eat chocolates and find happiness as it bursts out of your sketchbook.