Flipping through channels just now for something to watch (a feat in and of itself at five in the morning), I stumbled across PBS. Of course, to my surprise, what should be on but The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross.

Now, a little backstory here. A lot of you are already aware that I am an artist. However what you may not know is that in my early years, this program was one of the reasons that I fell in love with painting in particular. He was just so happy and delightful!! Even watching it now, I can't help but laugh to myself at how pleasant he is! To say nothing of how effortless he makes art look, or how encouraging he was to potential students.

Cynthia always used to tease me when I would paint her portrait not to forget the "happy little trees" behind her. I can't count the times that my hand slipped from what it was doing because I had been caught off guard by laughter.

Seeing this tonight brought some of that laughter back into my life, and though she isn't here to share it with me, I know that it would make her happy to hear me laugh that way again.

I must disappoint her so much...

Ahh, but now isn't the time for those thoughts. I think for once I have a bit of inspiration to go paint. Something simple, granted, but something nonetheless. Let's try not to let our thoughts get the better of us and press forward, hm?

It's time to make a start in the right direction.

There's a lovely view of the shoreline from the balcony at this time of morning. Let's see if we can catch a few happy little clouds ♥