Let’s Paint a Scarecrow

If I Only Had a Brain…

There are days when I identify a little too closely with the scarecrow.

I walk into a room and have absolutely no idea why I’m there.

I put my phone somewhere “safe” and apparently safe means safe from me.

I open the refrigerator, stare thoughtfully inside, close it—and then remember I was looking for my glasses.

Which are on my head.

Menopause has made “If I only had a brain…” feel less like a song and more like a personal anthem.

But perhaps the scarecrow was onto something.

She never needed to be perfect. A crooked hat, a few pieces of straw sticking out, a patched shirt and a slightly wonky smile were all part of her charm.

And that is exactly why I thought he would be fun to paint.

Scarecrows are wonderfully forgiving.

Your hat leans too far? Perfect.

Your straw goes in twelve different directions? Even better.

Your smile is crooked? She’s a scarecrow. It should be.

And if you forget which color you were about to use halfway through painting him?

Well, welcome to the club. We meet every Thursday—or possibly Tuesday. No one can remember.

So grab a piece of paper, your paints and a cup of something wonderful and paint along with me.

You do not need to know how to paint.

You do not need the “right” supplies.

And you most certainly do not need a perfect brain.

You just need to begin.

Because somewhere between the first wobbly line and the last little piece of straw, something lovely happens: you stop worrying about whether you're an artist and start having fun making art.

After all, there are few things in life that cannot be improved by a little imagination, a crisp autumn afternoon—and a ridiculously crooked orange hat.

Come paint my little scarecrow with me. I promise, you can do this.

Here is a printable download for you. Print in black and white and use traceable paper to trace on watercolor paper.