Willie Nelson Watercolor and the lessons Willie teaches me

Willie Nelson Watercolor and the lessons Willie teaches me Watercolors  Willie Nelson watercolor tao of willie positivity law of attraction

I grew up on country music and art. It’s always been the thing that really drives me. I suppose country music really opened my heart up to story telling and how to do that through art. It inspired me to write. It inspired me to feel the feelings.

People say it’s all so depressing. But that’s how you get your feelings out : Sometimes you have to get a little sad. I feel like in order to really evolve in life you need to feel your feelings. That is where country music comes in. You can get a good cry out listening to such songs like “Always on my Mind” but after the feelings are out, you have the uplifting words of “On the Road again” to get yourself back on track. To get you back on the road to evolving.

One of my favorite Country music artists is Willie Nelson. Not just for his music, but his words. If you are looking for a change in your life and are in need of a little hope, The Tao of Willie is a great book to pick up. His words are inspiring. Many of his words have really helped me through these last few months of growth.

We create our own unhappiness. The purpose of suffering is to help us understand we are the ones who cause it.”

I felt the urge to create a portrait piece. It’s only fitting that my first journey into portrait painting would be the incredible Willie Nelson. It was definitely a difficult learning curve. Using some new paint brushes, inks, and hours of Willie Nelson playing into the midnight hours.  I’ve never taken a class in watercolors. The most art classes I’ve been in was an art class in high school. I definitely went into this with a blind fold on just throwing down paint and hoping for the best.

Willie Nelson Watercolor and the lessons Willie teaches me Watercolors  Willie Nelson watercolor tao of willie positivity law of attraction

The abstract quality to watercolor is what amazes me. You can make a portrait so realistic… yet still add magic to it. It becomes surreal. A basic portrait turns into something completely different from the original reference photo. The freedom that comes with watercolor is truly therapeutic. Literally making “happy mistakes” (Thanks, Bob Ross!) and creating something beautiful from it. Splashing random black inks and watercolors.

Something that I love about Willie Nelson that seems to be a theme in his life is to simply be grateful and happy. It’s something I have struggled with. Staying in victim mode and milking my pain to all that would listen. Re-energizing the pain. That was my life.  Until I decided it wasn’t working for me in the last 30 years of my life. So maybe good Ol’ Willie might have it right.

And he sure as hell does have it right.

I have a lot to be thankful for. My home. My ridiculously amazing family. This talent that God gave me. The music that helps me cope. My friends. Good Whiskey. Life is awesome because I choose it to be. Thanks for the advice, Good Ol’ Willie.

Willie Nelson Watercolor and the lessons Willie teaches me Watercolors  Willie Nelson watercolor tao of willie positivity law of attraction

If you are interested in picking up a print, be sure to check it out in my Etsy store.

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”

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