Go With The Flow
Hi, my name is Beth, and I struggle with control… I tend to want to control things. Anyone else out there struggling with this challenge?! Maybe our next tidbit of watercolor wisdom… lessons I’ve learned through watercolor that can be applied to life… can be of assistance.
Go with the flow…
One of the most beautiful and relaxing aspects of painting with watercolors is watching the paint flow in the water. This is known as the wet-on-wet technique. First you brush the desired area with clean, clear water. Then you drop in the paint, and the water will magically disperse the pigment. Some pigments will move quickly through the water, while others are more lazy in their flow. The more paint you add, the more the magic happens. Watching the process can be mesmerizing, relaxing, even therapeutic.
Using this technique, though, requires something of the painter… a release of some control. The painter has to allow the water to play a role in the creative process, almost like an impromptu dance. The painter determines the area to be painted, but the water determines where and how the pigment will flow within that area, and the results can be stunning. But the painter has to be willing to “go with the flow.”
In life, we sometimes can benefit from going with the flow as well. Sometimes we need to relax and release control, to let life happen. We need to accept other people as they are and not try to control them to become who we think they should be. We need to let our kids make decisions, succeeding or failing; but from both, lessons will be learned. We need to just enjoy moments for what they are, for what they offer, for what they can teach us rather than trying to micromanage situations. We need to go with the flow… chill… live more, bark less (Angel, the studio pup’s, contribution). Going with the flow can be stressful for some; but the more we let go, the easier it becomes.
I’m not saying that we need to go with the flow all the time. Life requires intentionality as well. There are situations when making decisions, changing our direction, etc. are needed. But we shouldn’t control every aspect of our lives. Sometimes letting go – going with the flow – letting the water… or life happen - can be beautiful and can lead to some wonderfully unexpected discoveries. Give it a try… go with the flow… and see what happens.