Happiness is...

happiness-is-a-bouquet-of-sharpened-pencils

Once when I was studying figure drawing, I met this wonderful girl in class. We had lots of laughs and I loved her artwork. She would say "Happiness is a Bouquet of Sharpened Pencils."

Pencil portrait

While everyone was busy sketching the figure drawing, I was concentrating on the faces.

pencil & watercolor portrait

According to my art professor I was making these faces way to pretty. "You do not see truth", he would shout in complete disdain.

Stages of a pencil portrait

Back then it really destroyed me for a while, until I found the world of watercolor painting. In the land of watercolor painting it is perfectly acceptable to make everything pretty.

bluebirds-and-daffodils

two-vases-of-daffodils

Puzzle PortraitSeeing truth, I think Mr. Professor would really be dismayed if he saw the latest trends in artwork. I believe we all have our own way of looking at life, and that is what makes life interesting.

daffodils-and-card

Now I just love being my age, very little seems to distract me from what I love to do. I can say this safely, because I am sure Mr. Professor is not reading my pretty blog.

two-vases-of-daffodils

We must always follow our own inner voice. If you see things pretty or serious, don't let anyone distract you from being who you are!!!! Especially when you are creating. This is a voice between you and God only. After all, He is creating through you.

karen-dreams

Happiness is a bouquet of pencils,

and the freedom to be whoever you want to be,

and to create whatever you would like to create.


The song for this post is my favorite...Lady In Spain!

There's A Bluebird in my Daffodils
Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Thank goodness you moved past what the grumpy professor said! I love the beauty you create!
Hugs,
Penny

Snap said...

Amen!

Vicki said...

Hello, Karen,
You truly have a gift from God. I, too, love to see the beauty in all things. Blessings being sent your way. Vicki

Claudia said...

YOu are so right! I was majoring in fine art at university and never felt I fit in. Like you, I did what was athetically pleasing to me, while all around me the "true artists" were all about doom and gloom and the REAL.

Finding the beauty to me is what is REAL and am trying to focus and find the serendipitous road to a beautiful life.

You are such an inspiration -- Sometimes i feel very redundant when commenting on your blog... but its true... inspired.

TTFN~~Claudia ♥

Wildflowerhouse said...

Karen I believe we must have had the same professor. LOL My painting prof fits the bill exactly. But my lithopgraph prof was my mentor. He really brought out the best in me. We need a lot of HAPPY in this world. Ilove to look at your work. It makes me smile. Sharon

Rhondi said...

We need more beauty in this world and I'm happy that you didn't pay attemtion to that old professor. Art is all about what the artist sees. You see beauty and it blesses all of us!
Rhondi xo

LiLi M. said...

Beautiful post again Karen, thanks for nourishing eyes and soul again. I love the very true message you send out to us.Not only follow your inner voice, I think that is so true, times that I didn't follow that feeling in my stomache I always had to regret, but I love 'the art of being kind is all the world needs' too, also so true.
Thank you!

Elyse said...

what penny said!

lucky for us you didn't listen to him.

xo

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I guess he never heard that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I am so glad that God has shown you the beauty in life. I sure wouldn't like your lovely paintings if you didn't see beauty in life. Oh, maybe I should get you to paint me-I might turn out beautiful! laurie

ale said...

HOLA Karen!!!
...beautifull what you said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!your ART is sooooooooooo
NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BYE!FOM BUENOS AIRS....ale.

Margie’s daughter Leiny said...

Hi Karen, I totally agree with you thoughts on creativity. Your work is simply amazing. Lots of so called experts don't represent a view held by many others and beauty is in the eye of the beholder (I too know this from experience). Hugs, Margie.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

I had a prof in college that said flat out, "I was told you had great talent, but I see nothing in you!" Can you imagine how I felt, at the age of 19? Now like you my dearest, I am who I am, and let it be!!!!! Pretty is IN! Blessings, Anita

Rhonda Roo said...

BRAVA!
Those silly naysayers, just dont know what they are missing when life is cheerful and bright! :-)
Well said, gorgeously illustrated and wonderfully insightful and...and....PRETTY!!!!!
Extra bouquets of pencils for you!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Anonymous said...

I was watching "You've Got Mail" last night (for the umpteenth time) and that phrase came up about happiness being a bouquet of sharpened pencils. LOL...love that! And pooh on your professor. I remember in college, an art course I took, and the professor did not like my work. I knew I wasn't an artist but I did like my work. Please continue to paint HAPPY. xo Lynn

Emily Claire said...

Your artwork is very beautiful! I too had a professor like that. I can't quite understand why gloomy, depressing art is so popular. When I look at my favorite art, it is something I want to escape to. I imagine myself jumping into the world of the painting. I want something on my walls that will lift me up and make me smile. However, as many have already stated, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Shame on your professor for telling you otherwise.

I'm glad you kept doing the kind of art that you love. Keep up the wonderful work. I'm so happy I found out about you through the Blogging for Bliss blog party. I look forward to returning to your blog. Take care! :)

wandamarie.blogspot.com said...

well said! and just look at this happy and beautiful work to behold!

MARIA said...

"I believe that creativity is a gift from God. My goal is to share those inspirations with you. Please copy and use any of my photographs or artwork on this blog to use for your personal use, as my gift to you. "

What a gift from you!
Dear Karen your talent is a gift from God. I know it from first time I met you.

Have a happy and bless weekend!

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

I had a writing professor like your art guy...but that was before my two books were published! So glad you just listened to your inner truth. It will never let you down! Beautiful art; beautiful post!!!

Diva Kreszl said...

I think any of us who ever took an art class must have had that same miserable professor!!! It's a wonder any of us ever pinked up a pencil or brush again! It took me along time to silence that naysayer's comments in my head and at 53 I still have to remind myself that my art is a gift God had given me and it does have some worth.

Mumzie said...

I love your art work and inspirational words. You are very talented! Beautiful photography too! I injoyed seeing your work and blog. Thank you for visiting. Mumzie

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