Category Archives: Watercolor Painting

Creative Watercolor Abstract: Exploring Freeform Design

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This new 4×6 inch watercolor abstract came to life through deliberate play—each color painted with intention to form unique, curvy, freeform shapes. Navy blue, olive green, turquoise, ultramarine, and violet each hold their own space, creating a dynamic rhythm across the paper.

Rather than blending, the colors meet at crisp edges—like puzzle pieces that almost fit, yet clearly belong together—creating a sense of tension, contrast, and energy. Layered over these shapes are playful circles, star shapes, fun dots and lines, and little unexpected details that add movement and character. Gold pen accents bring a soft shimmer—like a quiet wink when the light hits just right.

There’s a sense of movement here, and a little bit of magic—like a glimpse into a world that’s still unfolding. Have you ever tried creating a freeform design just to let your imagination shine? It’s amazing what shows up when you let go and follow the shapes.

Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely weekend!

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Creative Watercolor Journal Ideas

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Every now and then, a journal page comes together in the most unexpected—and delightful—way.

Take this one, for example: a colorful little abstract filled with watercolor, gouache, and some playful collage elements. The stars? Pink and yellow birds I stamped and painted myself, full of whimsy and personality. But the real surprise? Their tail feathers are made from a white cupcake liner. Yep, straight from the kitchen to the art table. Because who says cupcake liners are just for baking?

I love moments like this—when the creative process is loose, joyful, and totally unplanned. It was one of those no-rules kind of pages that made me smile the whole time I was working on it. Adding a little “kitchen magic” gave it even more charm, and reminded me just how fun it is to experiment and be playful with materials.

Now I’m curious… what’s the quirkiest thing you’ve ever added to your journal or artwork? I’d absolutely love to hear!

Wishing you a wonderfully inspired weekend, filled with color, creativity, and maybe even a few unexpected supplies. 🌸✨

Thank you so much for stopping by!

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Fun with Art: Unpredictable Creations That Make Us Laugh

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Meet My Wonky Woofer

Recently, I picked up Wonky Woofers by the incredibly talented Karen Campbell (@karencampbellartist). The book is filled with whimsical, delightfully quirky dog illustrations, and I knew I had to give it a try. This little pup was my first attempt, and let’s just say… he’s got personality.

With his wild, unkempt fur and a face that says, “I meant to do that,” he radiates pure, adorable chaos. And honestly? I think he pulls off the look better than I do in the morning.😆

The Joy of Imperfect Art

One of my favorite things about painting these playful characters is that there’s no pressure to make them “perfect.” The wonkier, the better! Sometimes, letting go of expectations leads to the most delightful surprises—whether it’s an exaggerated expression, unexpected color choices, or a completely unpredictable outcome.

This little fluffball reminded me that art (like life) is more fun when we embrace the unexpected.

What’s the Funniest Thing You’ve Painted Lately?

Whether it’s a quirky animal, a happy accident turned masterpiece, or a doodle that made you laugh, I’d love to hear about it! Drop your funniest painting moments in the comments—I can’t wait to see what creative chaos you’ve been up to.

Until next time, keep painting, keep playing, and remember: sometimes, the messiest creations are the most lovable. 🎨🐾✨

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!!

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The Magic of Layering: Creating Sunset Lake Scenes

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I love experimenting in my abstract paintings, allowing each piece to evolve organically with textures, layers, and unexpected materials. Recently, I incorporated a unique twist into one of my works—a piece of cloth seamlessly blended into the paint. I didn’t have a set vision when I started, but as I layered colors and textures, something magical emerged.

Somehow, it transformed into a scene that reminds me of a sunset by the lake—a warm glow reflecting off the water, the sky shifting through soft gradients of color, and a sense of peaceful movement. That’s one of the things I adore about abstract art: the way it unfolds in unexpected ways, sometimes revealing emotions, memories, or entire landscapes you didn’t consciously set out to create.

This piece also reminded me why I love experimenting with different materials—whether it’s textiles, textured pastes, or metallic finishes, they add unexpected depth and intrigue. Pushing the boundaries of my work keeps the creative process exciting and full of discovery. I encourage anyone creating art to embrace playfulness, let go of expectations, and see where the materials take you.

But art is deeply personal, and the beauty of abstraction is that each viewer brings their own perspective. What do you see in this piece? A distant horizon? Gentle waves? A completely different story? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

✨ Wishing you a weekend filled with creativity, inspiration, and a touch of magic! ✨💫

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Unique Techniques for Stunning Abstract Watercolors

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Lately, I’ve been exploring new abstract designs, color combinations, and techniques to bring more depth and intrigue to my art. Some mediums have quickly become favorites, while others… not so much. But that’s the beauty of the creative journey—learning, experimenting, and discovering along the way!

One of the most magical parts of this process is working with watercolors. When creating these abstracts, you never quite know how the final piece will turn out. The paints mix and mingle in unexpected ways, forming unique colors and organic shapes that make each piece one of a kind.

This 4×6 inch watercolor abstract was an experiment with a new color combination that I instantly fell in love with. After the first layer dried, I built up the vibrancy with additional layers, enhancing the depth and shading. To finish, I added touches of gold pen and a bit of glitter for that extra magical glow. To me, it feels like a peaceful lake at sunset, with cattails swaying along the shore.

What do you see in it?

Wishing you a day filled with creativity, inspiration, and a little touch of magic! ✨

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The Joy of Watercolor Journaling: Get Inspired!

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I love creating in my 5.5×8.5” watercolor journal—it’s the perfect way to warm up before diving into larger pieces in my studio. My last abstract was mainly shades of blue (my favorite!), but I felt like mixing it up this time. So, I went for a blend of blues, greens, pinks, and yellows for a bit more pop!

I had a blast experimenting with different patterns and designs, letting one element lead into the next. That’s what I love about art journaling—there’s no right or wrong, just the freedom to explore and see where it takes you.

Have you tried art journaling before? If not, I highly recommend it! It’s such a calming practice and doesn’t require fancy supplies or tons of time. You can use whatever you have on hand and fit it in whenever you have a few spare minutes.

I hope this inspires a little creativity for your weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by—I appreciate you being here!

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“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will.’‘ ~George Bernard Shaw

Exploring Abstract Art with Watercolor Brushes

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I recently got a new set of watercolor brushes, and I couldn’t wait to try them out! I grabbed my 5.5×8.5” watercolor journal and spent a fun afternoon playing around, creating this colorful abstract. It’s amazing how different each brush feels—getting used to their bounce and how much water they hold is part of the fun.

I love experimenting in my journal, testing out new patterns and designs. Some might make their way into bigger pieces, and some are just for the joy of the process. I’m a bit obsessed with curves—you’ll often see circles, waves, and leaves pop up in my art. They remind me of the ocean and trees, two of my favorite things.

For this painting, my favorite parts are the blue leaves near the top and the dark blue waves at the bottom. There’s something calming about those patterns—I love the flow they bring to the piece. What about you? Do you have a favorite part?

I hope this little peek into my process brings a bit of inspiration to your weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this creative moment with me!

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“‘Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.’” ~Pablo Picasso

Photo by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels.com

Setting New Creative Goals with Watercolor Landscapes

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  • Day 1 – Night Falls
  • Day 3 – Dusky Skyline
  • Day 4 – Beach Bonfire
  • Day 5 – Golden Wood

It’s hard to believe we’re already into November, with Thanksgiving just around the corner. As I start looking ahead to next year, I’m setting some exciting goals for my art journey—planning both what I want to accomplish and the new techniques I’m eager to explore.

One of my personal goals is to complete a watercolor landscape in my journal each week. I’m a huge fan of Kolbie Blume, the talented artist behind This Writing Desk. Her books—Wilderness Watercolor Landscapes, Stunning Watercolor Seascapes, and Mastering Light in Watercolor—are my go-to guides for inspiration and technique. With all three on my shelf, I’ve decided to challenge myself to paint through each one, creating a new piece from her books each week until I’ve explored them all.

The paintings shown here were inspired by an online art challenge Kolbie hosted last year, which was a fantastic learning experience. I’m excited to dive back into her work and continue learning, especially as I build my skills in capturing the beauty of nature with watercolor.

If you haven’t checked out Kolbie’s work, I highly recommend it. Her books, website, and YouTube channel offer fantastic tutorials for watercolor lovers at any level. I hope this inspires you to set your own creative challenges for the upcoming year!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with inspiration! 🌄✨

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Explore Unique Mixed Media Flower Art

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Nature speaks through flowers in unexpected ways. Inspired by this idea, I wanted to approach my recent abstract flower paintings with a fresh perspective. After some reflection, I decided to transform them into mixed media pieces that bring an extra layer of dimension and texture.

I’m excited to share the first two in this new series, now available in my Etsy Shop: “Blooming Whispers” (Blue) and “Ruby Reflections” (Red). Each artwork is hand-painted with watercolors and mounted on a 4×6 inch basswood plywood base. To enhance their uniqueness, I’ve incorporated a delicate oak branch wrapped in gold wire, adorned with colorful beads, and added a touch of yarn to the blue one. These intricate details elevate the designs, creating a captivating blend of elegance, creativity, and sophistication for any space.

Stop by the shop to see these stunning new pieces and add a touch of artistry to your home!

I hope this inspires you in some way. Have a beautiful and creative day!

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Exploring Dark Watercolors in Abstract Art

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I decided to try something a little different in my 5.5×8.5″ watercolor journal. For this practice painting, I worked mostly with darker watercolors (shown above-left) instead of my usual brighter palette (shown above-right). I love how bold it turned out and how the brighter colors really pop against the deeper tones.

What didn’t quite meet my expectations was the neon-colored paint pens I used—they didn’t stand out as much as I’d hoped. One challenge with watercolor abstracts is that the paint moves and lifts when wet, which can cause those vibrant colors to get a bit muddied.

Still, it was a great practice piece, and I enjoyed the process. That said, I definitely prefer a lighter, brighter background for my work. How about you—do you lean towards bold and dark, or light and bright?

I hope this inspires your creative muse this weekend! Thanks for stopping by!!

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“Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else have ever thought.” ~Albert Einstein