Quick thoughts while painting (with numbers)
Disorderly laid strokes on my first try
Quick, because I couldn’t capture the blazing, more profound and logical thoughts while I am focused on stroking a tiny brush. In this word vomit entry, I hope to document, in passing and quite vaguely, the reflections I had during my quiet sessions of painting with numbers.
I was in search of a new hobby, something to break up the monotony of my daily routine and give me a sense of purpose outside of work. So one day on a chilly January morning, I decided to try my hand at painting. Freehand painting is a giant leap for me as I was just beginning to embrace random doodle arts through my watercolor. So, I gave paint by numbers a try.
Work in progress
I first encountered this idea (of paint by numbers) through the film Mona Lisa Smile which stars Julia Roberts, released in 2003. The film is set in 1953 and follows the story of Katherine Watson, a liberal-minded art history professor who takes a teaching job at Wellesley College, a conservative women's college. The film explores themes of female empowerment, education, and self-discovery. It is a captivating tale of one woman's journey to make a difference in the lives of others.
Fast forward, 20 years later, my sister and I were chatting about this idea to paint by numbers, when I told her I bought a small watercolor kit. And thus began weeks of spending late nights and early mornings of painting.
I chose two designs:
one of a tranquil boat floating in nature and
the other of a cityscape on a rainy day
…to represent my innermost desires (my constant need to escape) and realities. As I began to paint every day, I found that the process was much more than just creating beautiful (patterned) artwork. It was a way for me to reflect on my life and connect with my inner self.
With every stroke of the brush, I was reminded to be present at the moment and mindful of my movements. I am reminded that beautiful things take time and that it was important to be patient and calm in my approach. Small details can make a big impact, and I learned to appreciate the nuances of color and how they contribute to the bigger picture.
Following the pattern through painting became a symbol of my journey and a source of inspiration and joy. I had found a new identity and purpose outside of work, and it made every working day a little more bearable. Every day, I continued to paint, not just to create beautiful (premade) artwork but to connect with my inner self and reflect on the meaningful lessons I learned along the way.
Through painting, I learned to find beauty in the everyday moments that I once took for granted. And as I continued to live life one day at a time, I realized that this newfound / rediscovered hobby was not just a representation of my desires and realities, but is a reflection of my growth and evolution as a person.