The most relaxing time

OMG, friends! I just had the most fun, relaxing 2.5 days learning a new skill: WATERCOLOR PAINTING! Wow, that’s two sentences in a row ending with exclamations. Do you think I mean it?

I was lucky enough to attend a workshop led by St. Louis watercolor artist, Carol Carter. Carol has been painting professionally since the late 1970s and is truly remarkable. Her watercolors are vibrant and colorful, and make me happy.

A Great Teacher and Artist

Carol demonstrates her process of creating vibrant watercolor.

Over the course of 2.5 days, Carol shared, with a group of 15 women, her story and skills. She told us about her grad school years and learning to “find her voice” in her paintings. The skills of the women in class ranged from experienced to newbie. (ahem, I was the newbie)

Carol taught in such a way that it didn’t matter the amount of experience you have. She broke down each step, and demonstrated for us what we would try to achieve in our own paintings.

Day 1 - Boats

Being brand new to watercolor, I know nothing. Each step was broken down into manageable pieces. We started with our sketch, then masked out white areas, and finally added water and color pigment in “cells”.

I have painted before. I took art classes in high school, I love a good paint and sip party, and I love crafting. I have never experienced the calming effect that I felt when I was painting with watercolor. I don’t know if it was the painting itself, or the process of wetting the paper and watching the pigment spread across the page. I don’t think it matters much. I loved every minute.

Progression of a veg and snapper still life

Day 2 - Fish

I am so proud of myself and my first watercolor experience. The finished 2 paintings, from most students in the workshop, are hanging outside the Giertz Gallery, at Parkland College, for the duration of Carol Carter’s show.

Day 3 - Finish the third watercolor of the class - a vibrant bunch of pears.

I must say, if you have the chance to see Carol’s work or participate in one of her workshops, DO IT! I look forward to creating some of my own watercolors using the techniques I learned this week. It makes me happy to learn new things, it makes me even happier to find something that calms me.

STAY CREATIVE MY FRIENDS