In 2018, my love of watercolor began. Prior to that time, I had dabbled with this fluid medium maybe once or twice during my school days. But it wasn’t until I started doing online tutorials on YouTube and Skillshare -after I had my children – that I really learned how much I loved watercolor.
I could not deny the artist within.
As soon as the kids went down for their naps during my days off from work, I would quickly retreat to my desk, bust out my brushes and paints, and get to work. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been that excited to learn and do something.
I wanted to know everything about watercolor: from the paint properties to the different kinds of papers, I was simply enamored.
My newly found passion of watercolor evolved into wanting to know everything about not just the specific medium but also about art in general.
I am so lucky to have found Erika Lancaster amidst thousands of art educators online – through her Patreon membership site, I have gained access to hundreds of online courses that are as close as you can get to an art education without having to go to art school. Through her teaching and inspiration, I have learned about everything there is to know about art. Thank you, Erika!!
Today, I continue to expand my knowledge and experience using various mediums, such as graphite sketching, ink drawing and gouache paint. I started out doing watercolor landscapes, which have always been in my comfort zone, but I continue to venture out to other subjects, like portraits, figures and still life.
I don’t like to box myself into any one particular medium or style. Some of my paintings have very bright and fairytale like colors that would be seen in a Disney movie. Other pieces have more realistic colors found in nature. Whatever mood strikes me in the moment, I just go for whatever appeals to me.
On a professional level, I understand that having a particular style or color palette is recommended for finding the right audience. I know in time that it will come.
But for now, I’m still just exploring to see what works and what doesn’t. And if you’ve made it this far in this long blog post, you have my sincerest gratitude.
Thanks for being here.
xo,
emily