My Life in 10 Objects: (# 11) Watercolor Paints and Brushes
August 26, 2014
“Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul.”
— W. Somerset Maugham, The Summing Up
My tubes of watercolor paints and brushes
A couple of my watercolor sketches in frames
“The question of what art is for has far too long been needlessly treated as obscure: it is to help us live and die.”
— Alain de Botton
After telling the story of my life in 10 objects, I realized that this mini-series was missing something important to me — an aspirational object, my watercolor paints, brushes and supplies. These are the objects I hope to grow into. I am prepared to spend hours with my brush in hand, palette at my side, paper in front of me — to play and practice and experiment.
Drawing and painting are more skills to help me slow down, pay attention, create beauty, play, and express myself. So they are a natural extension of my other interests. I aspire to become a better artist.
So now that I am truly finished with the story of my life in 10 objects, I invite you to share your stories — your 10 objects — in the comments. I’m so curious about what your chosen objects will say about you.
Rosemary's Blog 
August 26, 2014 at 9:06 am
I truly do miss your watercolor paintings. Still waiting to see if you can part with any for a sum of money.
August 27, 2014 at 7:15 am
I’m still struggling with making painting a priority over all the other demands on my day. Sigh.
August 26, 2014 at 10:45 pm
1. Pictures–each tells a story, reminds me of a person, place or experience and many are by family members or friends.
2. Green Cookbook–used by 3, maybe 4 generations
3. Photos–family, friends, events and trips
4. Plants–to observe growth, change, scent, death, rebirth
5. A library
6. Heavy silk coat, green with gold stars, made by my great aunt
7. IPad–technology has shaped our lives
8. Music player of some kind. Love silence but need music too.
9. Mohair blanket–gift from a loved one
10 Yoga mat–seldom use it but health is important.
August 27, 2014 at 7:14 am
Carol, I DO see you in the objects you’ve chosen. Each evokes something deep and meaningful. Thanks for sharing.
August 27, 2014 at 5:35 am
So glad to see this addendum. I was wondering about the absence of your paints. I like that you’ve called them “aspirational” rather than “inspirational.” That’s good.
I’ll be back with a list, but I really need to think about it. The first objects aren’t necessarily the most obvious.
August 27, 2014 at 7:17 am
I’ll be looking forward to your list. I wonder how much our objects are shaped by our geography. How much by our childhoods. How much by our life choices. How much by the family we were born into.