Meet Charlie O.

I’m Charlie O’Shields, and I live in Kansas City, Missouri. Some folks know me for starting a blog called Doodlewash® and as the founder of World Watercolor Month in July. Many have seen my rare appearances on video in various workshops and interviews. Some may just remember me as, “oh yeah! That guy in the blue glasses!” And those who have followed along with me on my creative journey know that I love to write stories and draw pictures.

  

Charlie O'Shields Photo

To me, “sketching” has always meant more than making images. It’s also about words, stories, and ideas. Sketching Stuff is a way of thinking and seeing the world through the eyes of a child, with that same sense of internal optimism, infinite hope, and sense of discovery.

I Let My Inner Child Out To Play!

I started sketching every day in July 2015, even though I hadn’t picked up a pen to sketch in over 20 years. For 2,000 consecutive days, I created a watercolor illustration and an essay on life and hope and whatever really came to mind that day. Some of my favorite stories from that journey are captured in the first 65 episodes of the Sketching Stuff podcast. Soon my creativity was wanting an even bigger challenge and so I learned how to sketch and paint digitally and even made some creatures out of clay. 

I’ve discovered that sketching and writing is incredibly relaxing and a great way to relieve stress. For anyone and everyone! Even if you don’t consider yourself a creative person or have never dared to sketch before. Trust me… you can do it too. We are all artists when we make something new.

And I’m inviting you to join me! Release your inner child and unlock your natural creativity with me!