Art has always been a fundamental part of my life, thanks to the incredible influence of my mother.
She was a true master, capable of drawing anything she saw or imagined and seamlessly merged reference images for clients. Whether taking commissions, exploring personal projects, sculpting, or experimenting with various mediums, she excelled in every artistic endeavor she pursued.
My mother’s artistic guidance was truly priceless. She shared genuine academic advice, teaching me the nuances of color theory and anatomy at a young age.
She would suggest using green in the shadows of portraits or adding purple to other types of shadows for depth and realism. She encouraged me to draw sheets of hands to improve my anatomy skills and to use my own reflections as references by posing in the mirror.
It was like going to an art school at the age of 6, hah. Back then, it seemed like too much. Now, I am beyond thankful.
Our days were filled with so much creativity, and looking back, it’s mind-blowing to me that I was creating that much art. We drew and painted countless works together, daily, and wrote many stories, and even published comic books for years.
We posed for each other, brainstorming and collaborating like an artist and apprentice. It was an extraordinary experience, living with a real master artist who nurtured my growth every step of the way.
Plus, the bond we shared over art was profound and deeply influential. Here is a photo of my mother from her high school days, featured in the school newspaper, showcasing her artistic talents and dedication. She also made dolls, doll clothing, and dollhouse items:
So, I can say my mother’s legacy is the foundation of my artistic journey. Her mastery, creativity, and unwavering support have shaped me into the artist I am today. When I think of the “why” behind my art, it’s hard for me to come up with a single answer. But I do know it’s who I’ve always been—it was a gift, passed down.
Harnessing the Power of Timeless Themes and Storytelling in Art
Art has this incredible ability to transcend time and evoke deep emotions, especially through timeless themes and storytelling. By drawing inspiration from the masters before us and looking to some of our most beloved characters, we can embody curiosity and wonder, creating works that resonate on a profound level. In my own journey, I’ve found that weaving timeless themes and rich narratives into my pieces not only enhances their impact but also creates a deeper connection with my viewers.
The Magic of Storytelling
Storytelling is at the heart of my art. Whether it’s through a series of connected pieces or a single, evocative image, I aim to tell a story that captivates my viewer’s imagination. One of my favorite projects, my reimagined “Little Red Riding Hood” collection, is an example of this. Set in the 1700s Rococo era in Germany, this series combines paintings for my book with the same name. With the whimsy of Disney with the enchantment of Hayao Miyazaki, I channeled my favorite storytellers. My protagonist, Rose-Red, embarks on a journey through a magical and dangerous forest, encountering challenges that test her wit and courage. By adding layers of narrative and character development, this collection goes beyond visual appeal to engage viewers in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Timeless Themes in Art
Timeless themes like love, bravery, transformation, and the natural world are universal and enduring. These themes are prevalent in the works of the masters and continue to inspire contemporary artists. My “Metamorphosis and Marvels” collection, featuring butterflies and moths, explores themes of transformation and renewal. Each piece in this series captures the delicate beauty and intricate details of these beautiful creatures, symbolizing growth and change. This collection not only celebrates the wonders of nature but also resonates with anyone who has experienced personal transformation.
Drawing Inspiration from the Masters
Studying the works of master artists has profoundly influenced my approach to art. For my “Studying the Masters”, a personal project, I recreated and reinterpreted pieces from artists like John Singer Sargent and William Bouguereau. This exercise allowed me to understand their techniques and storytelling methods a little better, through their amazing compositions and subject matter. By incorporating these lessons into my own work, I strive to create pieces that are not only visually stunning but also rich in narrative and emotion.
Using Popular Characters
Using popular and beloved characters from timeless stories is an excellent means to captivating the viewer – that sense of nostalgia and wonder comes into play. Characters that embody curiosity and virtue bring a unique charm to art, I think. My “Princess Bride Collection” is a tribute to one of my most favorite films, capturing the essence of its characters and their love and adventures. Through watercolors and graphite, I aimed to bring to life the humor, romance, and bravery that make the story so sweet and so timeless. I hope these pieces evoke nostalgia and joy, and fill viewers with a sense of magic.
Creating Connection Through Nature
Nature is a profound source of inspiration in my work. My “Garden” collection, a series of paintings of flowers and gardens, represents a spiritual journey of discovering peace and connection with the divine. Each piece is a meditation on the beauty and serenity of nature, inviting viewers to find solace and inspiration in the natural world. Similarly, my “Winter Animals” collection features owls, wolves, penguins, and foxes, capturing the majesty and mystery of wildlife in a winter landscape. These pieces celebrate the timeless bond between humans and nature, evoking a sense of wonder and respect for the world around us.
Excited to announce I’ll be starting LIVE drawing and painting sessions 7/10/24, and you’re all invited! Starting with little Bambi, because who wouldn’t want to be able to draw Bambi? The great thing about drawing this little cutie is that, you can actually use what you learn here to strengthen your skills of drawing realistic deer or any hoofed animals, because the anatomy is still there. Join me on Youtube this Wednesday to learn how to draw Bambi with my secret weapon… a vintage drafting tool! We’ll add a little watercolor for kicks, and see where this adventure takes us.
Embark on the journey of your dreams with this darling little watercolor kit! Carefully curated with the finest and most essential watercolor pigments, housed in the most charming pink galaxy tin, and accompanied by a handmade watercolor journal, (made by yours truly) ALSO – a handy little blank color chart AND — ANNND, 3 refillable brushes. Thats right baby.
…And to simplify the whole mixing process, I’ve even included a hand-painted watercolor wheel featuring the actual colors. I’m actually so proud of this set and eagerly anticipate the delight it will bring to other artists 💓
Want to learn more about this fabulous set? Click HERE to see more!
In honor of this, National Coloring Page Day, I present you with a humble gift (=^_^=)
I sent this out to all of my subscribers as a special gift. If you want in on goodies like this too, sign up for my newsletter to get’chu some ASAP!
Simply save, and print my line drawing onto watercolor paper, or B: Print it onto copy paper and transfer it to watercolor paper by tracing or with carbon/graphite paper. Or HEY, C: Put your big-boy pants on and draw this with observational drawing techniques. Cause that would be pretty bad mama-jama.
I’m also including the original reference so you can use it as inspiration. Try not to get bogged down with the complexities, just paint each element with a local color (the main color you observe) plus a shadow color. Leave a few unpainted bits throughout for highlights. I like to use masking fluid to preserve my highlights 🙂
Even though I still plan to paint a large and final version of this painting, I have made several test studies like this one:
For the study, which is a typical method artists use to prepare for serious paintings, I drew the basic shapes I saw and worked from the outside-in. I always follow a method where, I start with one side of a subject, then jump to the opposite side to plant accurate proportions. So, I would start with the top-left side of the flower, but jump to the right-bottom to plant the silhouette of the entire shape. I did this with the inner petals too, working back and forth before completing the whole shape.
For my colors, I used:
Verzino Violet from MaimeriBlu (for my lightest pink)
Permanent Red Violet by Rembrandt (for my deepest pink)
Transparent Yellow from Winsor and Newton
Phthalo Blue green shade by Daniel Smith
Permanent yellow by Daniel Smith
Just those few colors make a fab limited palette and I can get deep shadows, pale pinks, greens and salmon hues.
Before painting, I always activate my palette by spraying it down. Then I mix the puddles of colors I’ll be using, ready to go.
I began painting with a flat wash of very light grey that I made with a mix of all the colors, over the entire painting. The wash is so pale that it reads as white, but softens the highlights while also providing a wet surface to paint wet into wet.
I added my pinks, and added deeper pinks with Rembrandt’s Permanent Violet straight into the wet paint for soft gradations and shadows, working to create contrast and not loose the edges of my petals. You can always take a clean, damp but blotted brush to remove more highlights and edges 🙂
My paper was already drying, but I painted the leaves starting with yellow, and added greens that I made with Phthalo/Yellow straight into the wet yellow paint. One leaf at a time to preserve my sanity. The yellow carries the greens nicely, allowing variations in the greens to shine and create a sense of form and still lending wet in wet effects. Pretty cool.
Then I ended with the center of the peoni wet on dry, charging in some little shadows with thicker paint mixture.
I completed the painting with a few tiny wet on dry details to refine edges, but I also tried to limit myself here to make sure the center of the flower is the focal point.
Now I really wanna see yours! Keep it simple, leave out the background if that makes things easier. OR, take your time and enjoy the details – But drop me a line and lemme see all dat painting goodness.
My current watercolor palette. It’s been quite a journey, with twists and turns, as I’ve navigated through various color choices over the years.
Like many artists, I began my journey with just a handful of colors, which I reckon kept things simple for me. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon Daniel Smith’s Essential Set of 6 colors in my adult years that I felt intrigued with my palette, and eventually found myself drawn to a humble trio from that set of Phthalo Blue, Quinacridone Rose, and Lemon Yellow. It was a time of both simplicity and exploration, and I thought I had all I needed.
Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my wild pursuit into the vibrant world of pigments…
Researching pigment properties and understanding the differences between brands and their attributes became my curious obsession. But let me tell ya, the more I learned, the more tangled up I got in a web of choices that left me scratchin’ my head somethin’ fierce. It was like wadin’ through a swamp of confusion, tryin’ to find solid ground.
LIGHTFASTNESS. Turns out, some pigments were as transient as a summer rain, fadin’ away quicker than a wink if they caught a glimpse of the sun. Now, ain’t that a bitter pill to swallow? You wouldn’t believe the sadness that washed over me when I discovered that so many of my beloved pigments were nothin’ but fugitive.
Btw, if you’re ready to dive into the depths of watercolor knowledge, I invite you to visit www.handprint.com. Trust me, it’s a can of worms that will amaze you with incredible insights into watercolors and the way they work.
That part of the journey eventually led me to a place of inner peace with my pigment choices, where all the colors I use now are highly lightfast and permanent.
32 Well Porceline Palette by Meeden
And after receiving this dreamy studio palette as a gift (Thank you mommy!!!) I decided it was OK for me to spread my wings and use all the colors that I love, and fully understand.
Now, I find myself surrounded with a vibrant spectrum of colors I trust and love!
Sure, this is much more than I actually need for each painting. Usually, I reckon I only use about 3-6 colors in a single piece, but the choices are there, allowing me to explore and express my creativity.
Along the way, I discovered the sheer delight of embracing novelty colors like cobalt turquoise and potters pink. Oh, how my heart flutters with joy as I swirl those enchanting hues all over my palette. They capture my imagination and captivate me, and have since become cherished companions in my creative endeavors.
I found myself filled with endless possibilities and a world waiting to be explored. With this in mind, I carefully curated my color palette to reflect my mindset and capture the essence of every hue.
WARM/COOL I made sure to have a warm and cool variation of each color, even for the earth tones. For instance, the warm embrace of Burnt Sienna complements the subtle warmth of Raw Sienna, while the cool allure of Indigo stands in contrast to the deep richness of Lamp Black.
CYM Furthermore, I wanted to maintain a CYM (Cyan, Yellow, Magenta) palette, represented by the vibrant PB33 (or PB15:3), the captivating PR122, and the radiant PY150. Now, my selection process went way beyond simply choosing a range of colors. I aimed to eliminate any true duplicates and ensure that each color could harmoniously work together, creating a color wheel of endless possibilities.
Transparency is something worth considering when selecting your own paints. Some are transparent, while others are not. Combining two transparent colors or a transparent color with an opaque one tends to create beautiful harmonies, but two opaques can lead to muddy results. Just a little tip to keep in mind.
Color Wheel My palette is designed to function like a color wheel, a clock of possibilities that allows for easy color selection and alteration. While I initially aimed to avoid repetition, I stumbled upon colors that rotated harmoniously, mimicking the motion of a clock hand on a real-life color wheel. The outer eight colors represent my earth tones, providing me with a newfound freedom after years of using those limited palettes consisting solely of transparent and non-granulating colors.
Ah, GRANULATION—yet another beautiful and exciting property of watercolors! Not all pigments possess this quality, but the particles and textures created by granulating colors offer unique effects that enhance realism and inject energy into a painting. I didn’t even realize I was a big fan of granulation. Now that I feel liberated to embrace it, I’m constantly seeking opportunities to incorporate it, even in skin tones, where it adds a touch of “noise” texture for a quick infusion of realism.
Single Pigments are a must. I mustn’t forget to mention, I learned that some popular color choices like quinacridone gold are actually just a mix of PY150 and some manufacturer-selected red, with the red often lacking lightfastness. However, PY150, according to handprint, offers plenty of permanence. So, I decided to purchase Winsor & Newton’s PY150 and mix it with my own reds to create myown quinacridone gold 😊
Finally, My Current Palette Includes:
PY150, I went w/ Winsor & Newton’s “Transparent Yellow” for the LF rating. This radiant and powerful gold-yellow quickly became one of the stars of my current palette. Its transparency adds a captivating depth even in mixtures.
PY53 Lemon Yellow (Nickel Titanate) by W&N. This lemon is unique compared to other Lemon pigments and is actually permanent. The opacity is both a blessing and a unique personality to work with.
PY35 Shminke Cadmium yellow, just a pure yellow. Although Winsor Yellow is similar, I like the brilliance of this yellow and decided to keep it around for kicks
PY154 Winsor Yellow. Just a real pure yellow with great lightfastness, and a hair-bit warmer than Cadmium
PY 110, my go-to yellow besides PY150. Very warm, nearly orange, breathtaking and versatile.
PR255, A brilliant firetruck-red known for its vibrance + warmth.
PV19, The same pigment as Quinacridone Rose, but this lightly less saturated alternative by Rembrandt offers true permanence.
PR122. This enchanting color is used in the controversial “Opera Pink”, but without the fluorescent component it is more muted and fully permanent.
PV14, Cobalt Violet. I almost chose this mauvy-pink as my magenta. It’s a gentle but still fabulous color, and mixes great into foliage too.
PB60, Indanthrone Blue is a warm, muted, dark blue and incredibly stunning. It’s great when I want to go dark QUICK, and sings with cool blues like Manganese and Phthalo Blue.
PB29, This is my own handcrafted Blue Ultramarine. I love it so much and use it faithfully! It’s cooler than some ultramarines on the market, which makes it more primary. It’s granulation properties are poetic and embrace all the colors on my palette.
PB15:6, Phthalo Blue (red shade) is a real beauty, I tell ya! Now, I can’t rightly say if it’s an absolute necessity for every artist, but it sure has its charms. As a phthalo blue, it’s got that powerful pigment strength that just goes on and on, making it go a long way.
PB28, Cobalt Blue. This expensive and timeless pigment is worth the investment. It’s a neutral blue that seems to want to clean both warm and cool with beautiful granulation properties. So lovely for clouds and dresses and shadows.
PB35, Cerulean is an exquisite cool blue that has been a faithful choice for artists since the 1800s. I love painting with the same colors the masters used!
PB 15:3, Phthalo Blue by DS has been my go-to for many a year, and I just bet it might be yours too. It’s a versatile color, one used as a primary in its pure form. They’ve gone and given it all sorts of fancy names and mixed it with just about every color under the sun, trying to sell it as some sort of magical convenience color or another. And not just for artists—it’s used in printers and all kinds of other handy applications, so its cheap (but permanent!).
PB33. Manganese Blue. This COLOR!!! Be still, by heart. Not to be confused with “Manganese Blue Hue”, This discontinued pigment is the crème de la crème of cyans. It’s the richest shade you could ever imagine! Although, I must confess, I don’t often mix it with other colors. It’s simply divine on its own.
PG50, Cobalt Turquoise is a novelty choice, but truly you cannot match the beauty of this shade with anything else.
PG7 – Phthalo green is like painting with precious gems. If I want to transform this jade-like-green into a foliage shade, I just add browns and oranges – it’s stunning! I love how, like the other phthalos, it goes on and on making it an economical choice.
Yellow Ochre, Raw Sienna, Potters Pink, Burnt Sienna, PB6, Burnt Umber, Raw Umber, I added all the earth colors because of their beautiful granulation values and connection with the masters timeless favorites.
Indigo, a perfect blend of PB60 and PBk6 already on my palette, found its convenient and rightful place in the harmonious symphony of colors.
Currently, my palette boasts around 25 colors, and I’m not opposed to adding more. With indigo on my palette, which is simply a mix of lamp black and indanthrone blue, I’m contemplating creating more mixtures to fill the empty wells in a similar manner.
While my palette may lack a true purple or typical green due to limited lightfast options, I discovered the magic of mixing PY150 with my handmade blue ultramarine to create a delightful foliage/apple green, and combining PR122 magenta with the same blue to achieve a stunning purple.
Try a unique color wheel to exercise your skills and learn your pigments.
And there you have it, my fellow artists—the story of my current watercolor palette and the personal discoveries that have shaped it. It’s an ever-evolving journey filled with color, knowledge, and endless possibilities.
So, as you embark on your own artistic adventures, remember to explore the properties of pigments, embrace transparency and granulation, and most importantly, unleash your creativity with a palette that speaks to your artistic soul 💓
You may already know that I went through a pretty rough time when I got hacked. It was like a sudden whirlwind that took away my Facebook and Instagram accounts, leaving me feeling pretty well… devastated. It’s true what they say about living on borrowed territory in the online world.
Losing personal photos and videos was tough enough, but there was one memory that hit me especially hard. There was a video capturing my daughter’s very first steps, and like a buffoon, I had stored it on Facebook. I can’t help but wonder if it exists anywhere else, but I’m not sure at this point.
That’s just an example, but another big loss that hit me hard – my precious art community that I’d built back in 2020.
This group means the world to me. I had poured my heart and soul into creating a space for artists to come together and unlock their watercolor superpowers, because I understand what it’s like to crave community and guidance when the journey seems hard. But due to that stupid hacker, I even almost lost the group I had painstakingly nurtured.
Can you imagine the shock I felt when I regained access to my account and discovered that I was no longer the admin or even a member of my own group, but it was still up and running? It was a sinking feeling, to say the least. I wasn’t even sure how to join.
Now, here’s where things took a fascinating turn. As I explored the group page, I noticed that a new admin had taken over. And guess what? She actually approved my request to join! It was both perplexing and intriguing. Part of me wanted to reach out and explain that it was, in fact, my group all along. But I was worried about sounding ridiculous or raising hell, so I couldn’t muster up the courage to do anything.
In a twist of fate, just minutes after being approved, I received a message from the new admin herself. She explained that she had received a notification from Facebook stating that the group would be dissolved if no one took on the role of admin. So, out of a sense of duty and goodwill, she stepped up and became the admin until I returned… waiting for me. And then, in the kindest gesture, she graciously made me the admin once again.
EEEE :’)
Moments like these make me believe that there was something serendipitous about the whole event, as if it happened for a reason. After I lost everything, I really went through a lot of self discovery with my body of art and what I bring to the table.
It’s crazy how things unfolded, almost like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. It served as a reminder of the strength and resilience of communities too, and how sometimes, even in the face of adversity, unexpected connections and acts of kindness can bring us back to where we belong. She was just so nice about the whole thing, and I’m so thankful.
BTW, if you wanna join in, anyone is welcome! CLICK HERE to get all the goodness. I designed this group to be a pretty free environment where artists share their hearts and passions, but I also post tips, tutorials, and share inspiration. I just really want to cultivate a healthy playground for artists to thrive, connect, and grow <3
New paintings are now available in the shop! Ive been working hard on this new shop. It’s a lot different than my Etsy shop, but feels a lot cleaner and more professional. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you’ll see my shop is fully functional and synched there as well! Hoot hoot!
Nov 9th, 2022. I received an email from Meta stating my Facebook account was in violation of community policy standards and would be permanently disabled.
Well, that’s…. Confusing.
To say the least. I went on over to Facebook to check into matters further, only to be greeted by an intense page of MANY dings against my account and furthermore, restrictions. I couldn’t fully log into my account, couldn’t see or deny the accusations, and I couldn’t click any of the Facebook violation notifications to review their explanation. No options to contact anyone nor do anything.
Not gonna lie, I was beginning to panic at this point. What could I have done? There was that time I was put into Facebook-jail because I said, “I’m gonna have to give my hubby a good spankin'” (for dirtying the new stove), in what I thought was, a teasing manner. Or maybe one of my candid videos of my hippie kids with barely any clothes on. Uhhh…
Well, it wasn’t long before those first emails were followed up with copious more, saying “Your ads have been approved” along with thumbnail-previews, and bills for ads. All in Thai. That “I” had scheduled(?)
YEP. I WAS HACKED. BIG TIME.
It also wasn’t long before I realized my instagram was shut down too. Meta does own them both. But my emails were showing suspicious activity in my twitter, TikTok, iheartradio, and others.
Couldn’t get password reset codes to function either. Last I knew, the bills were up to over $500, but the account was hooked up to some outdated card resulting in denied payment. Praise the LORD. I even received one payout for the ads of $100, before I straight-up ditched all accounts out of pure and unadulterated paranoia – so now…
…I’m basically starting over. Yippie.
Let me tell you something – besides losing half my business, friends and following, losing 12 years of photos + video of my family and kids upset me worse. I’ve lost photos before, and I’ve lost business before, but honestly, my more-than-decade-old accounts (yes, I was there the day Facebook and instagram STARTED) had become a backup of many of my lost keepsakes and documentation of my life spanning 12 years.
What is the answer to all this? Nothing, really. Getting my accounts back would take investing in lawyers and grueling efforts starting court cases and speaking directly with state officials to see if *perhaps* something could be done.
So, my solution for myself is to quickly get back on board and catch up to where I was, no, and hopefully even more. Maybe not drag my feet so much, and get this master course of mine finally launched for you guys…
This experience has been so surreal. Not to mention, traumatic. Like a heavy dream with surprises at every corner that makes your belly churn. Something seemed against me. Even coming back, I’m getting constant DMS and comments asking if I am the real ME, and to prove myself. Can you imagine?
…I also want to share one more part of this wacko story… which made everything seem so utterly crazy. But who likes a blog post that goes on and on? I’ll share that next…
