Unexpected Art

Recently I purchased a new little “binder pouch” to keep my art supplies a bit more organized. It’s designed to fit right into a three-ring notebook. It has a clear cover so that I can quickly see what’s inside.

Since I take a lot of notes while studying, I’m putting a notebook together. This will be great for “take-along” art, such as when I attend one of our art club meetings. How easy to have a sketchbook and notebook close at hand, ready to grab and go on a moment’s notice.

Lately I’ve been using my Faber-Castell artist pens  — I love these pens! — more than usual, and, as usual, I’ve been misplacing them. It’s frustrating and worrisome. I would be very upset if I lost this set of pens. So, into the little pouch they went.

The pen set was open, so, of course, I closed it before placing the pens in the pouch. I noticed that for some reason the flap didn’t want to go inside like it should. I picked up the set, inspected it a little more closely and was surprised to pull out a small card. It’s about 4 x 6, the size of a standard file card.

And I found this little watercolor drawing I’d done. It was quite a surprise. I have no recollection of painting this, but I certainly recognize the slightly out-of-proportion tree as one of mine. I’m guessing that I quickly painted it one evening at an art club meeting.

It brought a smile to my face. Now, I’ve added it to the pouch as a sort of “cover photo”. That means I can’t see what’s inside the pouch, but, you know what…? It doesn’t matter because I smile each time I see this forgotten little watercolor painting. What a surprise to find it tucked away inside that set of Pitt pens.

It was a fun little moment, and that’s another aspect of art — how it can surprise us, how it can make us smile, how it can brighten a busy day. Sometimes our most cherished moments on our journey can be wholly unexpected.