My journey with painting began at secondary school, where I was lucky enough to attend the Carinus Art Centre in Grahamstown, South Africa. At age 16 I was allowed to choose between 5 art subjects, and without hesitation, I chose painting. I went on to study Fine Art (majoring in Painting) at the University of Cape Town. At University I worked in oils, as I wanted to be a "proper painter". After University, I worked in water-mixable oils, and then acrylics.
Any time I tried watercolor, I failed miserably. The paint felt weak and difficult to control, and I decided the medium was NOT FOR ME. I thought that watercolor painting was boring, as it mainly seemed to consist of dull, grey-brown landscapes, that didn't speak to me at all.
Fast forward many years, and I discovered Modern Watercolor. Here were artists making vibrant, joyful paintings, with bright colors that blended in intoxicating ways! Here were loose washes and intense blooms, and, above all, a playful approach! I was intrigued. I also now had young children, and needed a way of making art in 20-minute bursts. It was time to learn watercolor.
Encouraged by some friends I met online, I started teaching on Skillshare, initially sharing what I had learnt from years of wrestling with the creative process, and learning how to overcome my own creative fears. I added classes on drawing and painting, and became a Top Teacher, and found myself hooked on watercolor! It is an endlessly fascinating medium: very technical, but therefore also very teachable.
But it wasn’t until I started teaching my own in-person classes, that I truly understood the challenges adults face when learning watercolor. Every week, I hear the questions people ask. I see the moments of frustration, the fears, and the breakthroughs that come with practice and encouragement. Watching my students enjoy the process and grow in confidence is incredibly rewarding. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping people move past self-doubt and discover the joy that creativity brings.
This app brings together everything I’ve learned from years of painting and teaching. It draws from my online and in-person teaching. Watercolor is a medium that needs regular practice, and this app is perfect to help you achieve that.
Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time, or returning to art after years away, my hope is that, with the help of this app, you’ll not only master watercolor skills, but also reconnect with your creative self. Let’s make painting with watercolor an inspiring and joyful part of your life.
