Retired
Posted: July 3, 2019 Filed under: Uncategorized 49 CommentsSometimes you just know when it’s time to give up your day job and move on to other things. My trusty wheelbarrow is a perfect example. A few weeks ago, the axle broke, rendering it useless as a garden machine. Despite what you naysayers might think, this old friend was often put to good use — to haul bags of mulch and to move logs around in the garden — but now it’s been replaced by a new, more industrial model.
Sadly, the newer model is quite unsightly, at least to me. All shiny metal and bulbous red handles, and of course no rust. But happily for the old wheelbarrow, it’s still my first choice as a model, both in summer and especially in winter.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
The nice thing about watercolour over photography is you can paint your own reality. This wheelbarrow can be in all your new paintings even if it isn’t carrying a load anymore.
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And I think it will be for a long time. I could never get rid of it no matter how much it rusts through.
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Awww, that’s very sweet. I agree about the shiny new wheelbarrow. Love the painting of the old one and glad you can keep on enjoying it, even though it’s wheeling days are done!
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Sally, that sounds like a bit of a country song. I can just hear it! “My wheelin’ days are done…”
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We certainly do grow attached to our old things, don’t we! I love your blog and hearing about your life. Carry on!
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Thanks Bev!
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So pleased there’s a happy ending … I was fearing the worst half way through!
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Yes, a happy ending for this old friend.
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Good Evening dear friend Shari,
Very beautiful. I am too retired exactly 13 years back.
But fortunately my children are still making use of me.
I really don’t know, I saw life in that wheelbarrow, telling his story, touching my Heart.
We find life in everything, depending on the way we look.
Extremely beautiful painting.
God bless you coupled with my blessings.
Regards
Uma
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Thank you so much for your kind words Uma. There is a lot of life in my wheelbarrow and I am glad that its story touched you too.
Best regards,
Shari
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It’s amazing that a wheelbarrow can evoke such emotions in us. I too was becoming sad thinking you had tossed it. Sometimes we have to hold on to old things. That’s why I keep my old wood wheelbarrow I used to muck stalls, even tho we haven’t had horses for years. And, BTW, very nice painting. The shed and the wheelbarrow complement each other.
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Judy, it is indeed a happy ending for the wheelbarrow. I just cleaned out my old palette and refilled it again, instead of replacing it. It also has sentimental value.
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An apt metaphor for many things in life… Functionally- retired. Aesthetically- immortal.
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I think I am going to embroider that onto my painting hat!
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Your red wheel barrow is beautiful. Here is what American poet William Carlos Williams had to say about a red Wheel barrow…
So much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens.
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One of my favourites Lee!! Thanks for writing.
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and your painting makes it even more special. Very nice.
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Thanks Carol!
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There’s alway orange spray paint!
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I suppose so but the ugly red handles would still be there.
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Nice one Shari! So glad you kept the old wheelbarrow. Love all those paintings with the “old model” 😁
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Thanks Linda!
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This painting is majestic Shari — I love it! Congratulations on your retirement too -)
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Thanks Jane. It hasn’t really hit me yet but once September rolls around, it will. Hope you’re well. I’m sure you are staying cool in your shady house in the woods.
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Yes I am Shari — and of course you are most welcome to come and paint over here… in the shade -)
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Great watercolor rendition and story. Thanks for all the background tid bits that accompany your work. I appreciate it.
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Thanks Bernadette. The wheelbarrow seems to be a famous resident of my neighbourhood. Now when people visit me they always ask where the wheelbarrow is.
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Wow, retirements! I am very happy for you. Now you can juggle through your many passions of painting, travel and teaching small groups. I find that I am even more busy than when I worked but following my dreams more frequently. God bless you.
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Yes, retired from my college teaching job, and excited to have more time to paint and teach and of course travel. It took me a long time to make the decision to do this, but I am so happy I did. Thanks for your good wishes.
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You have inspired me Shari. Thank You.
I saw one of your pieces in Urban Sketchers online magazine. A street scene painted from your car I believe with a church in the background. I so liked your colours and shading.
Reading your thoughts on ‘limited palettes’ I purchased Nita Leland book ‘Confident Color’ which has just arrived. Definitely a must read book….(cannot wait to start my exercises and play with my colours)
I also have your new book on my wish-list. I have to stop myself sometimes from going into too many directions at once.
I am a 70 year old Australian man who discovered painting/sketching late in life and am so glad I did. I started playing with oils and acrylics and have only started using watercolours in the last two years. It has become my favorite medium along with watercolour pencils and ink.
I enjoyed your video classes teaching me where to start…photos/thumbnails/value sketches etc.. I needed that insight. Thanks again. Your post has inspired me to do a painting of my backyard fence. Ha..ha.
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HI Bart, Thanks so much for giving me a little insight into your art background. It sounds like you are doing quite a bit of exploration and reading. That’s the best way to learn. I have shelves and shelves of art books that I cherish, and I’m constantly on the lookout for out-of-print books on watercolour by artists that I love. So glad that you found my site, and I hope that you continue to find useful things here. Hope you painted that fence!
Shari
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Agree. I am beginning to hate when older things start to wear out – new just isn’t the same and most of the time not near as good. Love your painting of your old wheelbarrow!
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Thanks Elaine. Agreed, the old machines work much better than most of the new ones.
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Hi Shari! You work so much magic-with your paintbrush, and your words, too. Such a beautiful story to go along with the equally lovely painting. You touch so many of us followers of yours with your work. ❤️
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Thanks so much Denise! Hope your summer is going well, and that you’re getting out often to sketch.
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I’m so glad your wheelbarrow lives on. Your work is very inspiring and make me realise I need to practice more. These simple domestic scenes really speak to my heart.
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Thanks so much Barbara. Yes, my wheelbarrow is staying put!
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I plan on turning my little old red wheel barrow into a planter , just need to put a few drainage holes and fill with potting soil and flowers . It’s nice to be able to move it around .
Hi Shari , I’ve been following you almost since you began your blog and I must say I have enjoyed your blog so much . I’m going to miss your old red wheel barrow , I was inspired by you to paint mine a couple of times as well .
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Thanks so much Theresa. My wheelbarrow will continue to be in my sketches, it just won’t be used to move things around in the garden!
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Good for you !!!
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Thanks Soni!
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Hello old friend (don’t get excited, I am talking to the wheelbarrow, whom I have know for years).
I know just how you feel… I retired almost three years ago and, after all those years of enjoyable work, I like leaning up against the shed so much more. 🙂
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HI Ross! It was so nice to read your comment. Glad to hear that you’ve retired too. It’s only been a few weeks for me so I haven’t really had time to figure out my daily routine, but you seem pretty relaxed. Happy to hear that retirement is treating you well.
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I love old things and I think we can all say we all loved your trusty wheelbarrow!!But keep it..best art prop ever.
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Don’t worry Monique. It’s not going anywhere!
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You retired too? You will LOVE IT.LOVE IT.
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Yes, me too!! I have no doubt I will love it. Thanks for the good wishes.
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The old wheelbarrow is definitely a keeper…even if it isn’t perfect. lol It is such a great subject in so many of your paintings.
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Yes, definitely a keeper Joan!
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