Hello Everyone! My favorite time in the atelier is when I get to play with new ideas. I keep the working pieces small and apply the learnings to larger pieces. Truth be told, I love making little things. They can be a little fiddly sometimes, but I love that. Those tiny little things really uplift my spirit and keep me going more often than I care to count. This book is a perfect example of that. I also have another set of black and white photos of my everyday life, paint making and a few other small paintings to share with you today.
Simple 365 – Set 13
Here is another set of everyday Simple365 photos. A few years ago, I took one b&w photo of simple little things around me every day for a year. I have been sharing those photos here every now and then. It seems I was particularly hands-on with different things during that time.
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
I created a page with all the previously shared photos from Simple365. I continue to add photos to that page as I share them here. That way I can relive my journey through the year via black and white photos, like in an old photo album.
I started making ink from plant materials that year, and then moved on to making pigments from them. Pigments need to be mixed with binding agents to make paints. I am making watercolors with these. Even though ready-made watercolor binder can be purchased, I started experimenting with making my own.
I had a pretty good idea of what qualities I was looking for in the binder. After a few tries and playing with the ratio of the materials, I was very satisfied with the paint I made. This one is from the coreopsis flower. I painted two 1″ x 4″ bookmarks to ensure the quality of the paint.
I really love this golden yellow and orange paint I got from coreopsis flowers. All those months of simmering petals on the stove, measuring, filtering, and making notes paid off in the end.
Once I was happy with the paint after refining it while painting those two trees, I painted this tiny painting for a friend. It is a 1″ x 3″ piece inspired by the glacial lakes at the High Sierra mountains.
Little paintings are always quick and fun to paint. They are perfect when playing with new paint, or even an idea. Monochromatic paintings are also wonderful for that.
The painting accompanied this tiny little 1″ x 3″ book and a pan of my coreopsis watercolor to their new home to a dear artist friend. She loves flowers and the color blue. So I made hers with blue cloth and added a little yellow flower on the cover.
Before I made the blue book for her, I made a book of the same dimensions for myself first. Because of their size, these little books can be a little fiddly to make, and I didn’t want any surprises while making hers. I sat with a stack of paper and folded them before sewing the book together. I used drawing paper for this one.
It looks like a lot of tools for a 1″ x 3″ book cover, but I really did use all of them. No matter the size of the book, sometimes I end up using the same set of tools.
I cut a little piece of washi tape to size, and added that in the inset that I had created in the above picture.
Here is the first painting in the book. It was supposed to be a drawing, but the pen I used was too thick. Not at all what I was expecting. So I thought, even though this paper is not meant for water/wet media, why not try using watercolor with very little water by using a small brush. Since wet paper can damage or tear easily, I was careful to let the paper dry before working on the next layer. Much to my surprise, the paper held up. It is not the painting I set out to paint, but it decided its own path along the way. I am happy with that.
Currently I am working on an idea for a gift for another friend. Tomorrow I will make a little sample piece for that. I hope this inspires you to try out something new. Keep it small. Little things are less daunting and are packed with joy.
Until next time,
-Soma
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43 thoughts on “The Little Things In Life”
Amy Johnson April 30, 2025 at 07:58
How cool that you were able to make ink from plants, and I love your black and white photos. Such great gifts for your friends too.
Comedy Plus April 30, 2025 at 07:55
It is the littles things that mean so much. A beautiful post.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. ♥
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs April 27, 2025 at 10:05
I love your tiny books, they are beautiful. I bet your friend will be over the moon with that.
Making ink from plant materials is very impressive! There is no end to your talents, Soma! :)
I hope you have the loveliest week ahead. xx
RachelSwirl April 26, 2025 at 12:43
I love the black and white images that you take and share, they are stunning! Thank you for taking part and for sharing your snaps with #MySundaySnapshot.
Sarah MumofThree World April 25, 2025 at 23:03
I love your little book and I think it’s amazing to make your own paint!
Sallie (FullTime-Life) April 25, 2025 at 11:35
Dear Soma — I usually come here to your site the same way I would visit Art Galleries or exhibits in real life — as a non-artistic admirer and of course because the beauty you create brings smiles, needed more than ever right now. Besides those things, today you’ve also given me an idea for something I can actually do . I am going to try to use my camera to take a daily picture of a small thing that makes me happy — I have been trying to tell myself to remember gratitude (thinking daily of small joyful things is something my favorite Yoga teacher suggested years ago). But I really do need the reminders right now and taking a picture is such an excellent idea. Thank you for your comments on mine, as always, and thank you for all the joy you share here.
Erika N April 24, 2025 at 17:33
It’s really fascinating that you’re making your own watercolors. Your samples have some beautiful deep color. And I like your black and white simple photos too. Is that a piece like the Lewis Chessmen? A statue or model of one. I like it. Have a great rest of your week. hugs-Erika
Sue at Women Living Well After Fifty April 24, 2025 at 15:44
Hi Soma you are so talented and creative! I just love the painting book that you made and what a lovely gift it would make. Thanks for sharing at #WednesdayWordsandWhimsy. Have a lovely weekend. Sue L x
Linda April 24, 2025 at 11:40
Love those little books. Fascinating about the paints.
Life Images by Jill, Western Australia April 23, 2025 at 20:27
oh! these little books are so lovely. And the coreopsis – I have them in my garden and I use the flowers for eco-printing. They print wonderfully on both cloth and paper and wash well. Enjoy your week and thankyou for visiting my blog this week. I have enjoyed my visit to you today.
Alison Hall April 23, 2025 at 00:27
I adore your beautiful books and paintings Soma. And your black and white thumbnails are always interesting and a joy to see.
Alison x
Veronica Lee April 22, 2025 at 20:27
Soma, you’re so creative.
I love those adorable little books and bookmarks.
And your photos are gorgeous, especially the black and white ones.
Happy Wednesday!
Min @ Write of the Middle April 22, 2025 at 17:44
Hi Soma, wow – you amaze me with your creativity! You’re making paint pigments too now! Amazing! And oh I just adore the little books you make so much. They are gorgeous! Your friend will love her gift! Your paintings are of course beautiful too. Love all your black and white photos also. Similar to you I did a 365 Grateful Project a while back where I took a photo a day (not black and white though) of something I was grateful for each day. They were generally simple things – the first cup of coffee of the day, a sunrise or sunset, a flower in bloom etc. I would love to spend some time in your studio with you. I’m sure we’d find lots in common to talk about! lol Thanks for linking up with us at #WWWhimsy and I look forward to you linking up again with more creativity to share!
Debbie Harris April 22, 2025 at 15:35
You really are so creative and clever Soma, I adore those little books! Thanks also for explaining how you do them as I would have no idea otherwise.
Debbie from #Teamwwwhimsy
Susan N. April 22, 2025 at 14:54
I so wish I had your skills. I will just live vicariously through your posts. :-) Love those little books and the bookmarks. Thanks for sharing everything with us.
Jen Becerril April 21, 2025 at 06:33
Your art work is beautiful all the details in such a tiny. Love it!!
Kim Carberry April 21, 2025 at 06:08
Your artwork is just beautiful and I love that you are still doing the black and white photos!
Angela Webster April 21, 2025 at 04:14
Your little book is so beautiful and intricate, I love how small it is and how much detail has gone into it.
Simple365 sounds like a fun project, I like that the photos are all in black and white.
Anne Sweet April 21, 2025 at 02:03
Hello Soma, I haven’t stopped by for a while, sorry. I do love your little books, how amazing they are. I can imagine they are really fiddly to make, you have so much patience. I love that you make your own paints from flowers too. And your black and white images. I never thought of keeping them together to make them look like an old photo album.
Melissa Willis April 20, 2025 at 15:30
Goodness! I love your little paintings and am in awe of you making your own pigments! Fantastic!
Andrea @ From the Sol April 20, 2025 at 06:01
Why is it that people are drawn to “little”. I love your little book. I think I would have loved it in any size, but little is the best. Patience must be one of your greatest qualities along with talent. Your book is lovely and your painting is as well. I would love to be the friend that received this little gift. Happy Easter to you, Soma …
Andrea @ From the Sol
Bill April 20, 2025 at 01:12
Love the idea of a small book like that tough I could not see what I could use one for. The first year I blogged I did a 365 but since then have not done one, maybe I should just post one photo a day rather that the format I do at the moment. I have done the A to Z a couple of times and I think I can fit another in now with the churches I have visited. Some of the Saxon and Norman art I have seen would fit in with some of your designs as well.
The Joyful Quilter April 19, 2025 at 09:55
Sweet small books, Soma, and I’m so impressed that you made your own paint!
Eileen April 19, 2025 at 04:04
Hello,
I love all your beautiful creations, the bookmarks and the little books. The Sierras lake scene is a favorite.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend.
Natalie April 18, 2025 at 19:03
You’ve made beautiful books. They are thoughtful and lovely gifts to your friends. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Connie Griffin April 18, 2025 at 14:24
These days I try the most simple ways to do things most of the time, I can’t imagine all that you had to go through to make these paints and that precious book for your friend. I know she is going to be thrilled with your lovely book and cover for it. I love that color you made from the flower, and the lovely paintings you made with it.
Wishing you a Happy Easter!
Carol April 18, 2025 at 09:07
I always enjoy your posts and creativity.
Dixie April 18, 2025 at 08:10
So many beautiful pigments, Soma.
Love your paintings. And the wee books are so
beautifully made.
A wonderful post!
tomthebackroadstraveller April 18, 2025 at 03:58
…Soma, it’s always a treat to see your creations. I wish you a happy spring.
Cat April 18, 2025 at 00:06
Experimenting is the best. I too love making little things, but usual just to try if I can, not necessarily to translate it to a bigger design.
Great post, Soma!
Debbie April 17, 2025 at 20:03
what a wonderful post…it is the little things in life that matter most. you have so much natural talemt!!
Mary April 17, 2025 at 16:44
So tiny, but so detailed and perfect. The gold coreopsis color and paintings are beautiful. I’m sure your friend will be positively thrilled with the gift.
Thistles and Kiwis April 17, 2025 at 15:47
Really beautiful creations.
Gillena Cox April 17, 2025 at 15:17
lovrly post, interesting paints
much♡love
Debra She Who Seeks April 17, 2025 at 12:50
How cool that you’re making your own watercolour paint!
Christine April 17, 2025 at 11:40
Lovely work
Karen April 17, 2025 at 11:36
I love that yellow/orange paint – bright like the sun. All such pretty photos of your work and studio
Kim April 17, 2025 at 11:26
Playing with new techniques on a small scale is so much fun! The ‘cost’ of failure is so low, but the rewards so high! And on top of that, teensy little pieces just have their own charm :)
Kathy April 17, 2025 at 10:59
Hi Enjoyed you post
Kathleen Noble April 17, 2025 at 10:24
Love all these tiny masterpieces, Soma! And that coreopsis paint! You never fail to inspire. ❤️
Joanne April 17, 2025 at 09:41
Your paint you made is lovely as are those tiny books.
LA Paylor April 17, 2025 at 08:38
exquisite books and drawings. I paint with a variety of watercolors (recently trying gouache) and am intrigued with making your own inks from nature! I’ve tried a few bookbinding techniques and interested in that too. Signed up for your emails, thanks, LeeAnna at not afraid of color
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal April 17, 2025 at 04:40
What thoughtful, beautiful things you make Soma! Scrolling through your posts are like a leisurely stroll through an beloved shop. Glad you have such talents to enjoy.