Wisdom Wednesdays: Live Art Sessions
Three drawings. One hour or less. A little wisdom along the way.
What happens when you slow down, pick up a piece of pastel, and simply look?
That is the idea behind Wisdom Wednesdays, a new weekly live art series from Jackie Morreale, host of Wisdom for Wannabes, which launched August 26, 2026.
Each week, I'll choose something that inspires me and draw it live—from the first marks on a blank sheet of paper to the finished piece. Sometimes I'll draw something from nature. Sometimes it might be something meaningful from my past. Sometimes I may simply see something beautiful and decide, I want to draw that.
The goal isn't perfect art.
It's the process.
It's taking the time to look closely, experiment, make mistakes, layer colors, change your mind, and eventually decide that your creation is finished because you say it is finished.
That is the idea behind Wisdom Wednesdays, a new weekly live art series from Jackie Morreale, host of Wisdom for Wannabes, which launched August 26, 2026.
Each week, I'll choose something that inspires me and draw it live—from the first marks on a blank sheet of paper to the finished piece. Sometimes I'll draw something from nature. Sometimes it might be something meaningful from my past. Sometimes I may simply see something beautiful and decide, I want to draw that.
The goal isn't perfect art.
It's the process.
It's taking the time to look closely, experiment, make mistakes, layer colors, change your mind, and eventually decide that your creation is finished because you say it is finished.
Wisdom Wednesday Live Art 3: Waterfall, Monstera, & Flying Squirrel
(Click the link or on an image to watch the live recording)
Published September 9, 2026
This week's Wisdom Wednesday Live Art session brought three very different subjects to the sketchbook: a peaceful waterfall at Riesachsee in the Austrian Alps, my own monstera plant, and a playful flying squirrel.
From a favorite family place to a familiar piece of home to an unexpected little creature, each drawing was an exercise in slowing down, looking closely, and letting imagination take over. Created in soft pastel, these sketches are reminders that inspiration doesn’t have to come from somewhere extraordinary; it can be found in the landscapes we remember, the things growing around us, and the creatures we imagine taking flight.
From a favorite family place to a familiar piece of home to an unexpected little creature, each drawing was an exercise in slowing down, looking closely, and letting imagination take over. Created in soft pastel, these sketches are reminders that inspiration doesn’t have to come from somewhere extraordinary; it can be found in the landscapes we remember, the things growing around us, and the creatures we imagine taking flight.
Wisdom Wednesday Live Art 2: Hydrangeas, Dragonfruit, & Lily the Dog
Published September 2, 2026
In the second Wisdom Wednesday live art session, Jackie Morreale drew three very different subjects:
Working in real time with soft pastels, Jackie shares her process of layering color, blending, capturing light and shadow, and even drawing the refraction of stems through a glass vase.
But Wisdom Wednesday is about more than learning how to draw,it’s about finding joy in creating.
Jackie explores the idea that your art doesn’t have to be perfect or look exactly like the thing in front of you.
It’s your world, your interpretation, and your opportunity to create something that makes you happy.
- Beautiful blue hydrangeas
- Colorful dragonfruit
- Lily, her beloved Bichonpoo, and the inspiration behind her Yin-Yang the Brave book
Working in real time with soft pastels, Jackie shares her process of layering color, blending, capturing light and shadow, and even drawing the refraction of stems through a glass vase.
But Wisdom Wednesday is about more than learning how to draw,it’s about finding joy in creating.
Jackie explores the idea that your art doesn’t have to be perfect or look exactly like the thing in front of you.
It’s your world, your interpretation, and your opportunity to create something that makes you happy.
Wisdom Wednesday Live Art 1:
Feathers, Sunflowers, & Grandpa's Pelican
(Click the link or on an image to watch the live recording)
Published August 26, 2026
|
🪶 Drawing Feathers: Finding Beauty in the Imperfect
I collect feathers. The ones I use for my artwork are all found feathers; things I've discovered in parks and along my walks. I love that they have a history. Some are colorful, worn, broken, or a little bit messy. To me, that makes them more interesting. When I draw them, I'm not trying to create an exact replica or a photograph. I'm trying to capture the feeling of what I see. And remember: It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. |
|
🌻 Sunflowers for Kenny
Next came one of my favorite things to draw: sunflowers. I love their bright yellow petals, their layers of color, and especially the feeling they bring back to me. Growing up near New York, I remember sunflower fields where the flowers could be as tall as you, or even taller. There is something about standing among sunflowers that makes it almost impossible not to feel happy. For this drawing, I started with the centers of the flowers and gradually built outward, using layers of yellow, brown, green, black, and white. I looked for the little differences, places where the light catches the edges. And remember: patience creates layers. |
|
🐦 Recreating Grandpa's Pelican
I decided to recreate a pelican from one of my grandfather's paintings on a plate. I had never actually seen a pelican that looked exactly like his, so I had to trust his reference and interpretation while also making the drawing my own. Grandpa had painted this beautiful white pelican against a dark background, creating an incredible contrast. I started by capturing the large shapes—the body, head, wings, and bill—and then worked backward into the dark background so I could create clean edges around the bird. As I worked, something completely unexpected happened. My family called and said: “Big bird is outside!” A real Sanhill Crane bird appeared outside while I was drawing my grandfather's pelican. I couldn't have planned that. Maybe that's part of the magic of creating art, live... when you slow down enough to notice what's around you, you start seeing connections everywhere. |
✨ What Art Has Taught Me
This first Wisdom Wednesday wasn't really about learning how to draw a feather, sunflower, or pelican.
It was about what happens when you make something regularly.
I started using a set of pastels that was about 20 years old and began drawing again for just a few minutes a day. At first, I wasn't sure what I was doing.
But I kept going.
Five minutes became more. Practice brought back skills I had forgotten.
And eventually, I became more confident—not because I suddenly became a different artist, but because I gave myself permission to practice.
That reminds me of the idea behind Atomic Habits: small actions, repeated consistently, can create tremendous change over time.
The same thing can happen with creativity.
Maybe you used to draw.
Maybe you used to write.
Maybe you played an instrument, took photographs, danced, painted, built things, or had some other creative hobby that disappeared somewhere between work, family, and everyday responsibilities.
It's still there, within you.
How do I know? It was in me. And I think creativity is worth making room for.
This first Wisdom Wednesday wasn't really about learning how to draw a feather, sunflower, or pelican.
It was about what happens when you make something regularly.
I started using a set of pastels that was about 20 years old and began drawing again for just a few minutes a day. At first, I wasn't sure what I was doing.
But I kept going.
Five minutes became more. Practice brought back skills I had forgotten.
And eventually, I became more confident—not because I suddenly became a different artist, but because I gave myself permission to practice.
That reminds me of the idea behind Atomic Habits: small actions, repeated consistently, can create tremendous change over time.
The same thing can happen with creativity.
Maybe you used to draw.
Maybe you used to write.
Maybe you played an instrument, took photographs, danced, painted, built things, or had some other creative hobby that disappeared somewhere between work, family, and everyday responsibilities.
It's still there, within you.
How do I know? It was in me. And I think creativity is worth making room for.
🎨 Why Wisdom Wednesdays?
I've spent years talking with people about business, beauty, betterment, creativity, resilience, and the experiences that shape us through Wisdom for Wannabes.
Now I want to explore some of those ideas through art.
Every Wednesday, I'll take some time to create something and share the process with you.
Sometimes I'll talk.
Sometimes I'll let the music and drawing speak for themselves.
Sometimes I'll draw something meaningful.
Sometimes I'll simply draw something beautiful that I happened to notice that week.
But every time, I hope to remind you of something:
You don't have to be perfect to begin.
You don't have to know exactly what you're doing.
You can go back and try again.
And most importantly, you can make something simply because making it makes you happy.
Now I want to explore some of those ideas through art.
Every Wednesday, I'll take some time to create something and share the process with you.
Sometimes I'll talk.
Sometimes I'll let the music and drawing speak for themselves.
Sometimes I'll draw something meaningful.
Sometimes I'll simply draw something beautiful that I happened to notice that week.
But every time, I hope to remind you of something:
You don't have to be perfect to begin.
You don't have to know exactly what you're doing.
You can go back and try again.
And most importantly, you can make something simply because making it makes you happy.
|
Join Me for the Next Wisdom WednesdayBring your own sketchbook, colored pencils, pastels—or absolutely nothing at all.
You can draw along with me, watch the artwork take shape, or simply spend a little time slowing down. Because sometimes wisdom doesn't come from having all the answers. Sometimes it comes from looking closely, being patient, and seeing what happens next. Subscribe to Wisdom for Wannabes on YouTube and join me for the next Wisdom Wednesday Live Art Session. |
|
Wisdom for Wannabes
10299 Southern Blvd. Unit 212771 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 USA |
© Wisdom for Wannabes LLC 2026. All Rights Reserved.