“Stringin’ along,” Watercolor By Donna Lyons, © 2011
As we begin this year of monthly paired watercolor art and writings, we do so with gratitude for Golden, Colorado’s Table Mountain Grill Cantina. Servers provided beverages and food all the while enabling us to “stretch” time in our creative corner. Cheers to 2024 as you travel with us through this new year!
By Marty Coffin Evans © 2016
With the beginning of this New Year, stretching might immediately have the connotation of physical activity. While certainly appropriate, this concept takes a different direction.
When we stretch ourselves, we often move out of our comfort zone and into a new experience. One summer, I did just that in attending a water color workshop taught by my plein air artist friend in Grand Lake. As a professional, Donna’s artistic skills are well honed. Mine were – not so much.
Moving out of our comfort zone can become very humbling. Where others may appear to create something very easily, we may struggle. I know I did, trying to get those mountains in the background to look right or the different colors to have the correct hues.
I certainly gained an appreciation of the beauty around me while capturing on paper what my eyes saw. As Donna rightly said, we’d not look at nature again the same way after this experience.
Attempting something in the artistic vein may not be for everyone. Stretching into other areas can provide similar experiences. These might include learning a different piece of music, playing another instrument, taking up a new sport, learning a totally unfamiliar type of dancing or even a language. If you’re unaccustomed to writing poetry rather than prose – give it a try. I did, much to my amazement!
Ever try writing with your non dominant hand? Try brushing your teeth or hair that way if you want a little stretching in your daily activities. It might also be slightly humorous.
Regardless how we stretch, it can be educational, fun, and even good for a laugh or two, if you don’t mind that on yourself. Whatever direction we choose to take for our stretching, it can lead to a new experience, possibly one to keep rather than discard.
Happy stretching!
January 2024