I came across a wonderful quote by Claude Monet recently that just didn’t want to leave my mind…

 

“I must have flowers, always and always.”

 

It evoked wonderful images in my mind of flowers, large and small, arranged well in vases scattered around rooms. It gave me something to ponder, and I spent time considering why he said that, why anyone would say such a thing…

 

What it spoke most to me was of a desire to be surrounded by nature and its unmatched beauty.

 

As the quote continued to find its way into my thoughts over the course of a few days, I decided it would be a fun addition to one of my doodles. Fun wasn’t quite what it ended up being. First of all, if you’ve been around my blog for very long, you may recall that I’ve mentioned several times here how horrid my handwriting is. Legible, it is not. My signature, a glorified scribble, usually evokes questions from people witnessing it, asking if that is, in fact, how I actually sign my name.

 

So the idea of me trying to write anything with somewhat artistic fashion, let alone legible, is almost comical. I practiced, plotted and wrote out the way I wanted the phrase to be displayed on my art. My first try, the letters kept getting smaller. Second try I discovered writing in a straight line was also not my cup of tea.

 

Here’s the deal, I never pre-pencil in any words, if I’m to create something, it’s going to be with paint, or with a sharpie. It’s instantly permanent, instantly irrevocable, instantly frustrating when I make a mistake.

 

Next attempt I started questioning my sanity and why I felt the need to pursue this quote and ink it onto the paper.

 

On my final attempt at creating something with Monet’s words, I chose a paper I’d pre-painted with watercolor. It was dark blue, streaked and a bit uninspiring. I wrote the words with my faithful sharpie marker, trying to take my time (maybe that’s why my handwriting stinks? I’m always in a rush!).

 

My final result isn’t one I’m too proud of, it isn’t up to my standards, whatever those are. Maybe this isn’t even my final result, maybe tomorrow I will try again.

 

What I do know is, I’m still learning. I’m learning to slow down, to take my time, to think things through and to persevere.  Is it easy? Not usually. Is it fun? Not always. Is it worth the frustration? Yes, I think it is.

 

At the end of the day, the end of the drawing, there is nothing better than taking that final moment, after working hard to create perfection (not that perfection is ever attainable)… and add my scribble of a signature to the bottom of the drawing.

 

What do you need to persevere through today?