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watercolor notes by Vinita Pappas

My Lunch Was Stolen While I Was Painting

Published 4 months ago • 3 min read

Watercolor Notes

June 18, 2026

In this issue

  • Reader responses to last week's newsletter
  • My crazy day
  • What's available
  • Question of the week

Looking Back

Hi Reader,
​
In my last newsletter, I wrote about creative resistance, the invisible force field that shows up right when you’re supposed to be painting. I used the analogy of magnets that I played with as a kid. No matter how hard you push the opposing poles together, they won’t go.

That’s what resistance feels like, not laziness, just a force you can feel pushing back against your desire to be creative.

I asked what works for you when this shows up and had some great responses.

A few readers' strategies for dealing with creative resistance:

T. — “When paint doesn’t inspire me I may work with clay or pastels for a while, but I’ll always come back to watercolor.”

P. — “I put it away, then a few days or weeks later, I look again. Sometimes I switch media. It helps me see differently.”

J. — “I’m working on overcoming the two big Ps that stop me cold: Perfectionism and Procrastination.”

Same resistance, different doorways back into the creative flow. I find that reassuring. If one door seems locked, try another one.

This Week's Note

Painting in humid conditions is pretty normal for me, but painting in drizzly rain is a completely different challenge.

A few days ago, I set up at Simpson Beach, one of my favorite painting spots (Ellie's too), thinking the weather would clear. It sure looked that way when I started. But instead of clearing, it got more drizzly.

I'd already started the painting, so I took a break and played with Ellie, thinking the rain would ease up. It didn't. It just kept drizzling.

I decided to treat it as a challenge. Damp paper became pretty saturated paper so I used thicker paint. Soft edges became lost edges. It was not a complete painting but a fun experiment. And just about the time I decided to pack up, the sun came out.

I was looking forward to getting back to my car and finding a sunny spot to park and eat my packed lunch. But when I got to my car, I found the rear window shattered.

I didn't see anyone or anything that was obviously missing, so I got my gear and Ellie carefully into the car while a million little pieces of the back window fell with every move. And then it dawned on me...
​
My lunch was gone.

Really?! Someone broke my rear window to steal a tuna sandwich and a sliced apple. My best guess is my lunch bag in the back of my car looked more like a purse through the tinted glass. I had to smile thinking about them opening that bag.

The whole day didn't go as planned. The weather didn't cooperate, the painting got soaked, and I drove home with no back window and no lunch. But the sun was shining, Ellie and I were safe, and in spite of the creepy sandwich thief, I had a good time.

“
Art and joy go together with bold openness and high head and ready hand - fearing not and dreading no exposure.
— James McNeill Whistler

What's Available

Your Turn

It always makes me smile when you write a reply to my newsletter. A painter friend called this group my "vinamily", a blend of my name and family. I love that term!

So could we keep this going? I'll ask a question at the end of the newsletter, and your responses will become part of the next one. This way you'll know we're in this together.

This Week's Question

Has a painting session ever gone completely sideways on you and turned out to be worth it anyway? ​
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​I'd love to hear about it, the crazier the story, the better! Hit Reply.

All the best,
Vinita

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
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watercolor notes by Vinita Pappas

Your Little Dose of Inspiration

Painting isn’t always easy, and creative blocks can make it even harder. That’s why I created *watercolor notes*. I help you navigate those blocks, find fresh ideas, and get back to the studio. It’s a dose of encouragement and inspiration from me, fellow watercolor painter and creativity coach, to you.

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