For today’s art prompt, “Eyes,” I initially intended to create a self-portrait. However, feeling less than my most vibrant self, I opted for a subject radiating pure, unadulterated charm: a scruffy little cat. This led me to contemplate the expression “puppy dog eyes,” often used to describe a look of innocent appeal. But cats, especially kittens, possess this captivating gaze just as powerfully, if not more so. Thus, the concept of “kitten cat eyes” sparked in my mind.
Truthfully, the urge to create something furry and to indulge in some ink doodling was the primary driver. I started with the eyes and nose, initially planning to stop there. Yet, the joy of doodling took over, and before I knew it, a complete cat emerged on the page. This is the magic of doodling – the delightful unpredictability of where it will lead. While my doodles are arguably more refined now than the scribbles I made in school notebooks, the essence remains the same. I begin with a simple mark, and if it doesn’t ignite my interest, I freely move on to something else. On this particular day, my own reflection failed to inspire me. I looked like someone struggling with the recent time change, yearning for the warmth of bed – a sentiment that mirrored my actual feelings.
When I was younger, compliments about my bright blue eyes were frequent. Though time has passed, and those youthful eyes have matured, I now receive compliments on the blue frames that surround them. And I appreciate that just as much. I’m grateful to have inherited my mother’s eyes. Even with the lines that come with age, they still hold a spark of mischief. I can share this freely, knowing my mom, a flip phone devotee, isn’t reading my blog. But trust me, she’s always up to something fun, never nefarious, but always with a touch of humor and sarcasm – a family trait. She taught me the beautiful freedom of not taking life too seriously. In her youth, my mother’s eyes were so striking they commanded attention before she even entered a room. Today, that creative spark and amusement at life’s absurdities still shine brightly in her eyes. And she’s right – it’s incredibly difficult to become overly stressed when you’re the first to see the humor in any situation.
This is why I continue to view the world with joyful eyes. It’s undeniably a chaotic place, but when approached with a certain perspective, the good far outweighs the bad. How we perceive the world is deeply connected not just to our eyes, but to our heart and soul. These inner elements, combined with what we see, shape our complete life experience. This perspective inevitably influences my art. Even when I aim for a touch of sadness in a sketch, it often emerges as whimsical. Attempts to inject melancholy into a painting still result in a sense of hopefulness. Perhaps it’s my vibrant color palette, or more likely, it’s simply how I genuinely see the world. No matter how many wrinkles appear around my eyes, my fundamental outlook remains unchanged. Even when grappling with daylight savings time fatigue, my core feeling is happiness. The positivity I find in the world consistently overshadows the negativity. Perhaps I am a touch naive in my approach to life, but I can’t imagine a better way to live than with kitten cat eyes, full of wonder and innocent joy.
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About the Doodlewash ###### Da Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Vermilion, Cobalt Turquoise, Ultramarine (Green Shade), and Terra Cotta. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen (Broad Nib) with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop! | 
Kitten Eyes Watercolor Illustration Sketchbook Detail |
Kitten Eyes Watercolor Illustration Sketchbook Detail|—|—|
Charlie O’Shields
Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!
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