ICKY

No, I’m not saying my painting is “icky” — a word we used back in my high school days usually to describe boys we didn’t want to go out with. Actually, I rather like the painting, only I’d like it a whole lot better if I’d had a little more patience when I did it.

And that’s where ICKY comes in. ICKY, you see, is an acronym, and it, too, goes back to high school days, only in this case it’s the high school days of our daughters. ICKY was a friendly little monster with an important message for driving.

IMPATIENCE CAN KILL YOU

ICKY wasn’t our idea. I read about it and decided it would be a good way to remind our young drivers to slow down and stay safe. If you click on the link above — or the picture — you’ll find information about ICKY.

I guess it’s rather silly to compare watercolor art to driving, and to the best of my knowledge no one has died from impatience while painting. At the same time, I know I’ve killed a few otherwise good landscapes all because I got in a bit of a hurry. Impatience might not kill me, but it can sure ruin a watercolor.

Misty Mountain Morning – Watercolor 9 x 12 Arches Cold-Pressed

This wasn’t supposed to have “misty mountains” in the background, but I neglected to let the sky dry before I started painting in the distant peaks. Oops! Well, maybe it would be all right, I decided. Maybe it would look like I deliberately wanted that “misty” effect, as though the tops of the mountains were touching the clouds.

But then, I went right ahead and painted the closer range of mountains without checking to be sure the paper was really dry. You’d think I would learn! Nope. I’m just hoping maybe those little blurry edges could possibly look like trees, but exactly what they’re doing on top of the mountain…well, hey, I’m trying!

Worse still — clumsy me — I managed to splash a few drops of water into the sky. Maybe they could pass for clouds? I know. I’m stretching it.

So, instead of a lovely mountain scene, I have misty mountains topped with trees beneath a sky with splotchy clouds. When will I ever learn?

I’ve decided to get myself an ICKY monster and set it right out where I can see it whenever I pick up a brush and begin to paint. I really need one. NOW! I’ve been at it again this morning, and yes, I have more “misty mountains” in another landscape.

I’m off to find an ICKY!