Feeling Sheepish

"Feeling Sheepish"

Original Watercolour by Jean Haines

For a few seconds yesterday I allowed the world to stand still as I stood in my garden and listened to the sounds of the sheep and lambs in nearby fields. This year every single morning on my walks I have passed field after field of  young lambs  literally bouncing around as young do enjoying life to the full and making everyone who sees them feel young too. It is impossible  not to smile  whilst watching them play.

The older sheep look on with disinterest. Almost with the expression of " You'll learn" on their faces.

I learn so much from  these daily walks with my dogs and cannot help wondering if the older more seasoned artist often looks on at the new enthusiastic watercolourists in the same way.With a wise smile knowing all the experiences they will face. Knowing how in time they too will look at others younger than they in their art journey and smile with their own knowledge of years of exhibiting, teaching  or writing.

I am like the young lamb. Bouncing around with endless energy, embracing every new experience with open arms, always thrilled to see something new to paint and always on the search for that  extra special new way to paint it. My enthusiasm must seem really amusing at times yet I am constantly told that I am a breath of fresh air bursting into the art world with  infectious joy  and genuine excitement whenever I  am showing, painting or demonstrating. I hope my first book gives a clue as to how I feel about watercolour.

Maybe one day in years to come I will be  more like the older sheep but I hope not!

Spring Lamb coming to life in a first wash celebrating watermarks and colour fusions.

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