
“The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most.”
― John Ruskin, The Stones of Venice
Welcome to the second week of my watercolor #100DayProject. After some experimentation, I’ve settled into a comfortable morning rhythm of painting and journaling. It occurred to me this week how both serve the same purpose—release and freedom. Both activities are about letting go, self-discovery, and seeing where it takes me. Taken in this context, it’s impossible to do it wrong. What a wonderful thought!
Things I’ve learned this week:
- Stop painting before everything turns brown
- Wet-on-wet is very enjoyable, but I need to go slower
- Trying to copy other paintings can be frustrating
- My emotional state affects the color scheme
- I have no idea what I’m doing and it’s totally okay
I’m still trying too hard to control the paint. I ripped up and threw away two paintings this week and started over. The need to be perfect is still very present and I’m trying really hard to separate the work from any kind of judgment. I remain, as always, a work in progress. Thank you for following along on my journey and for all the wonderful comments I received last week.
Here are my offerings for Week 2:

#1
lavender ladies
standing straight-backed and quite tall
do you ever fall?

#2
swirling galaxy
locked within my busy mind
yearning to be free

#3
what dark secrets hide
behind your bright red brick wall?
I want to see all

#4
happy little sun
shining brightly down on me
do you see me try?
You are very talented!!
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How kind of you to say! Thank you. 🙂
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Beautiful artwork! 1 has a lovely mix of colours & neat idea highlighting the crooked individual bricks in 3 – good use of empty space as the mortar gaps 🙂
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Thanks, Tom! I’m so glad you found something to enjoy about my little paintings 🙂
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Really brightens up the week – hope Spring’s on the way soon! 🌱🌼🐝
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Me too! All my plants are covered in tiny buds. I can’t wait!
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All are beautiful, but number one resonates most with me for whatever reason. Great work, Bridgette.
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Thank you, Michael! I painted that one in honor of my mother-in-law who always loved purple flowers.
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The poems go so perfectly with the paintings
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Thank you, Nicole! I really love haiku’s and this project is giving me a great excuse to write a few.
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I am working on something for April to push myself out of my basic poetry comfort zone and I am struggling. I might message you on Insta. I did about something else.
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Please do! I’m all about pushing ourselves to grow.
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Beautiful paintings. A brick wall has never been looked more beautiful…
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You are so sweet! Thank you!
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Your paintings are so lovely! 🧡 I’m really enjoying reading the haikus that go along with them. ☺️ I love the happy little sun and its colors. the blush is so cute haha. ☀️ I hope you continue to have fun and be free while painting ! 🌷
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What a sweet and kind comment! You’ve made my day! Thank you.
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That is a happy little sun! You are learning some valuable lessons, applicable beyond painting. 🌞
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Thanks, Michele. Indeed. It’s so important to let loose and not take ourselves too seriously. Play remains as important today as it did when we were children.
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You are welcome, Bridgette. Absolutely!
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These are lovely. There are truly many ways to creatively express yourself. I’m enjoying your progress.
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Thanks, Tony! It’s been a fun ride so far. I hope I never stop reaching for more ways to express myself.
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Wonderful, Bridgette, paintings and verses both. Did I miss something….are you a teacher? 🤗🌹🙋♂️
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Thank you! Nope, not a teacher, although I do homeschool my teenage daughter.
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All water colour arts are excellent. I like your project. Very nice your interest in art .
Very interesting haiku write ✍️ you. I like., Bridgette.
Third & fourth are very nice art.
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I’m so glad you like my haiku and paintings. You always brighten my day with your kind comments.
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Many thanks, Bridgette you made me happy. You always heartly welcome. 🌹
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As my beloved mother-in-law was fond of saying when talking about house plants: “Sometimes you have to be ruthless. Cut it way back; it will thank you for it.” She was right.
Best to you always, Bridgette! 💫 💕
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Such wonderful advice! Thank you. She sounds like a wise woman.
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Great array of fascinating colors developing thoroughly interesting artistic creations.
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Ooh, Bridgette, it’s so difficult to choose a favourite as they are all so beautiful. You are developing a lot of talent with painting considering how short a time you’ve been doing it. I love #1 because it reminds me of the french lavender my Mum grew in her garden. I can relate to #2 as that’s how I feel sometimes when I feel stuck in the middle of emotions and trying to break free. #3 – The bricks are wonderful. Your painting is so realistic – I could almost reach out and touch the wall. Amazing. And #4 because I love the colours of the sun and its rays and rosy cheeks. So, if I had to choose a real favourite – well, I wouldn’t be able to – they are all so good, as are your haikus. I can’t wait to see next week’s photos.
How are you getting on with editing your short story? I’m so looking forward to reading that, too. Xx 💐💖
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You are always so kind in your comments, Ellie. I’m so glad you found something in each of my paintings to enjoy. I’m having the most fun playing with these little works of art. I’m thinking I must make them into postcards and mail them out at some point.
I’m happy to report I finished my short story and published it today! It’s very long. Too long, really. But I needed to get the entire story out and I’m ready to move onto the next project.
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💗💗
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Thanks!
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Bright, colourful and lovely! ❤
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I’m so glad you think so! Thanks!
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So, when I do watercolors, I just try to journal it so I won’t give myself a panic attack or you can just do color studies and limited palettes.☺️
Anyway, you’re so skilled at what you do.
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You are so kind! Thank you. I just took a picture of the amazing clouds today and wondered if I could try and paint them…might be a bit too ambitious but I’m willing to give it a try. I’m really enjoying the way the water mixes with the paint on the paper and how the painting looks different after it dries.
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You should try them! If all fails, you can cut them up and make a collage!😁
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What a great idea! Thanks!
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I like your paintings. It’s very hard to paint. I agree.
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I appreciate your kindness. Thank you.
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Love these, I can’t draw or paint at all. I think you need to be starving in a garret to be a successful artist?
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I’ve no real artistic skills, but this project is about getting out of my head and being willing to try and think differently. My hope is these experiments will bleed over into my writing.
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I especially like the colors in number two. I’m terrible at water color. You did a great job!
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Thanks! I’m terrible too, but I’m trying hard to not judge myself too harshly.
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These are so pretty! You are not terrible by the way. The galaxy shows some great blending skills!
I’m going to keep saying this so get used to it…there is no such thing as bad art. Art is a learned skill and you have to be patient with yourself. I started my art blog for this very reason. So I could learn and grow with practice. 🙂
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You are so kind! Thank you, Jennifer. I really needed to hear that.
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