To me, Watercolor is the perfect media to capture the energy, fun and immediacy of a moment! Whether I’m sketching from life or creating a sketchbook page from a reference photo, watercolor has become my “ go to”. It’s such a direct and simple media.
I was recently in Maui, spending time with a friend. There was so much to see and take in. What happens when you are overwhelmed by a place? Do you get a sort of urgency to hold onto the moment? Maybe you feel need to take dozens and dozens of photos? Like me, you probably have too many pics! As an artist/creator I am driven to turn my visual/experiential conditions into art. But this urgency can take away from the moment at hand.
So the trick is to find an avenue to surrender and just be in the moment, perceive it fully and then create some art that expresses that after the fact. Yes, take a bunch of pictures but remember to enjoy the moment and the beauty around you. Be present! Knowing that I can create lots of watercolor sketches and document such a trip, eases the urgency and lets me relax into the beauty and wonder of an experience.
We happened to stop for lunch when we first arrived and were greeted by some beautiful chickens. I took a ton of pictures of them. They are so fun to watch! It’s not surprising that one of the first things I’ve painted since getting home are these guys. I hope you enjoy the video!
