Something Simple

Despite it being a holiday, today has not been a good day. Lately, life seems to be filled with more complications and frustrations than I can handle. In many ways, it’s good to have my watercolor. At times it provides a welcome distraction from problems with health insurance, disrespectful tenants, and a whole gamut of other issues we’re dealing with.

Sometimes, though, watercolor painting itself can be troublesome, adding to the general sense of exasperation I’m feeling.

Today was one of those days.

I did not one, but four different watercolors today, finding fault with each painting I finished or, in the case of one painting, putting it aside to finish another time.

The first was another mountain scene with a peaceful lake. I didn’t like it. Next was a rocky river bank with lots of leafy trees. I liked it better, but I was still not satisfied with it. I started a third, quickly decided it wasn’t anything I wanted to finish today, so with the afternoon growing short — my patience growing short, as well — I opted for something simple.

A tree.

One tree.

Plain and simple.

On the plus side, my foliage is getting better, and I’m doing better at creating the illusion of distant woods. At least, I think I’m doing better.

On the down side, I’m not quite getting the shape of my trees right yet. This one is far too short and stubby for the thick trunk. In fact, the more I look at it, the less I like it.

But, there isn’t time for any more watercolor painting today.  I will keep working on my trees, learning to put them together bit by bit.

And maybe tomorrow will be a better day.