When I started this blog, not once did I imagine ever having any followers. I didn’t expect anyone to read my posts, and as to those who did happen across them, I figured they’d probably get a good laugh at my childish drawings and move on. I never thought anyone would ever see my artwork — I term I use cautiously — and actually stick around to see more!
But, it happened. Little by little, people began following my art journey, sharing their own journeys, and helping me along the way. I was stunned when the blog reached 100 followers…and continued to grow.
In January 2017, I reached a tremendous milestone. To celebrate 500 followers, I drew a marker, much like those that once marked ancient roads. My little pile of rocks was fun to draw.
Now, to my surprise, Artistcoveries has over 1,000 followers from every corner of the globe. In the past week, the blog has been visited by readers from Algeria, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, the Republic of Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR China, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
And to think, it all began with a colored pencil drawing of a bowl of apples.
Along the way, I’ve laughed at a lot of my drawings and paintings, and probably you’ve laughed a few times, too. Yet I hope you’ve also seen some signs of progress, and I hope you might have even found a bit of inspiration here.
So today I’ve updated my little pile of rocks. Although ThoughtCo says that “a painting is not a drawing that hasn’t been colored in,” I think sometimes we can do exactly that — take a drawing and color it in with paint. At least, that’s what I did today. I printed out my drawing, used very thin oil paints, and made a marker to celebrate this new milestone on my journey.
Thank you to everyone who has visited the blog, read posts, followed along, shared thoughts, made suggestions, and given advice as I’ve journeyed from “absolute and utter beginner” to an artist who’s actually won an award for oil painting.
To quote one of my favorite rock bands, “What a long, strange trip it’s been”. And where do I go from here? Who knows! I’ll just keep Truckin’ along, and I hope you’ll come along for the ride.
Artistcoveries 
Color pencils are wonderful Art media. Well done.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sure, welcome!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Judith, I’ve just recently discovered your blog and I have been enjoying it very much. I really identify with your story and your writing. I look forward to following more of your journey. And, as an “art blogger” just starting out, I really look up to you. What a big milestone! Thank you for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much for the kind words. I will be following your art blog and enjoying your art!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congratulations, Judith! You are a woman of many talents, writing about your art experiences being one of them! May you gain many more followers in 2019 and inspire many folks to enrich their lives by drawing and painting, too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Liz, for all the good wishes. I do hope my experiences will inspire others to give art a try. It’s certainly changed my life in many ways and given me a new way of looking at the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on the milestone, it is very well deserved. Thank you for the engaging and thought provoking content you share with us within the art blogger community! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Adam. I would never have imagined I would ever be an “artist”, and it’s amazing to think I’m not only an artist now, but that I have a blog about it. 🙂 It’s been a wonderful experience in my life to share my journey and to meet so many awesome people through Artistcoveries.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congratulations! I had to laugh because my first drawing I did for the blog was an apple in colored pencil. I’m excited to keep following along on your journey with all these other lovely folks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a coincidence! Apples are fun to draw. I used to jokingly draw “an apple a day” — because that was really the only thing I could draw. Then I got bold and tried a pear. LOL.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s really beautiful way to represent 1000
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations. I hope you celebrate many more millstones soon enough 🎈🎉🔜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person