Running an art business involves a lot more alone-time than most people would expect. I'm an introvert, so I genuinely need those quiet hours in the studio. That's when paintings get made and new ideas find their shape. But somewhere past a certain point, the solitude starts to feel a little hollow. Something is missing and I start to feel myself emotionally drowning a bit.
That something is the people.
Workshop days, to be honest, start with a little nervousness (making sure I haven't forgotten any supplies and switching into "socializing" mode). But once every student settles in and the first brushstroke happens, I relax into it. I genuinely love watching everyone get absorbed in their own corner of the page, and the look on their face when they hold up what they made. I come home tired, but with my heart full.
I wanted to celebrate that this week by sharing what my students have been creating.
No Two Watercolor Paintings Look Alike
One of the things that intrigues at every single watercolor workshop is that no two paintings look alike. Everyone starts from the same paint options and the same instructions. And yet, every finished piece is completely its own.
One person paints loose and uses a lot of water; another stays deliberate and careful. Someone reaches for a bolder purple; someone else mixes something softer and more unexpected. I love watching those small decisions happen in real time, because they're genuinely not taught — they come from each person's instincts.
At the May 29 workshop, I had a mix of first-timers and returning students in the room. What moved me — as it does every time — was the range. Sitting side by side, looking at the same subject, producing paintings that each feel like they belong to the person who made them.
(Photos from May 29 workshop. Clockwise starting from left, work by: Dana, Leslie, Debra, Andy, Lauren & Tara)
Just three days later, the June 1 class. A different group, a different energy in the room, and another set of paintings I genuinely love looking at.
(Photos from June 1 workshop. Bottom row from left to right, work by: Patrick, Rosanne and Dylan)
What to Expect If You've Never Tried a Watercolor Painting Class
"Nicely paced, detailed instruction, good supplies,
and kind, calm instructor. Lovely class!"
— Val M.
I share student feedback like this not to brag, but because I know a lot of people talk themselves out of trying a beginner watercolor class before they even walk in the door. They worry about not being "artistic enough" or falling behind the group.
Here's what actually happens: I always start with basic watercolor techniques to warm up your hands and get your mind ready — before you know it, we're into the main project. We paint step by step, and I walk around the room while everyone works. There's no wrong way to mix a color, and no two people's paintings will ever look the same — and that's exactly the point. I offer kind feedback suggestions, only to give a little guidance or to (gently) nudge someone past their comfort zone — so they walk away with a more versatile range to draw from in their own painting style.
If you've been thinking about joining a watercolor workshop in the Bay Area but haven't quite gotten there yet, I hope these student photos give you a little encouragement. Everyone starts somewhere. And in my experience, most people surprise themselves.
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Happy painting!
Jean