The Paint Jar Studio

This isn’t a traditional studio. My paints, brushes, palettes and paper fill the kitchen table. From my chair these books and illustrations come to life. What I love most about watercolor is how simple the materials are. A small set of paints, a brush, a cup of water, and a piece of paper are enough to begin. I started painting with Crayola watercolors from Walmart, and a couple brushes. Art doesn’t need a special studio or perfect conditions. A kitchen table, a quiet afternoon, or even a quick color swatch or inso pic between everyday tasks can become the start of a painting.

The more I paint, the more I realize that inspiration can come from almost anywhere. Everyday objects, small routines, and ordinary moments can quietly inspire you to create something new. Sometimes a story or illustration begins with something as simple as what’s sitting on the kitchen counter.

Learning to paint with watercolors has been a slow and very patient kind of learning process for me. It’s not something that happens all at once. This medium has a funny way of reminding me that I can always try again. The paint moves with the water, colors drift into each other, and sometimes the brush goes in a direction you didn’t quite plan. At first that felt a little frustrating, but over time I started to realize that things didn’t have to be perfect, and sometimes the act of creating something new is enough to keep going!