Hello Reader, After some quiet behind-the-scenes work, I’ve finished something special just for you! If you’re new to watercolor — or just want to revisit the foundations — this will be the perfect place to start. I created a 7-day watercolor email series just for beginners — each day you’ll get a simple tip and a small prompt to practice with. No big projects, no overwhelm — just bite-sized steps to help you feel more confident with watercolor. Join the 7-day painting series It’s free, fun,...
5 months ago • 1 min read
As a child of immigrant parents, it probably wouldn’t surprise you to hear that I grew up thinking I had to become a doctor or lawyer. But the truth is, my parents never told me I had to be anything in particular. I applied to every college undeclared. At Berkeley, I took a bunch of general education classes, trying to figure out what to major in. I tried economics—whatever the professor was saying sounded like an alien language. Computer programming? That was literally a different language...
11 months ago • 1 min read
As a teen, I won a summer art scholarship to take two classes at a local art college. One was a still life class, the other was a figure drawing class - a nude figure drawing class. I remember feeling intimidated, shy, and generally awkward - but I also truly enjoyed the experience. I’d drive to class every day - with my mom in the passenger seat. I’d walk in with huge pads of drawing paper and my supplies and get lost for hours in art. And then I’d leave after covering sheet after sheet with...
11 months ago • 1 min read
March is almost here, which means a brand-new class inside Paint With Me! 🎨 This month, we’re diving into tranquil waters, exploring how to paint soft reflections and gentle ripples in watercolor. March Lesson Inside Paint With Me: Tranquil Waters We officially kick things off on March 1st! If you’ve been wanting to explore watercolor more deeply, this is the perfect opportunity—especially if you’re excited to paint reflections and gentle ripples like these! What You’ll Learn in This Class: 🎥...
11 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I recently completed a painting of an autumn stream for our latest class inside Paint With Me, my watercolor membership. This painting turned out a bit more detailed and realistic than I initially envisioned. When I paint, I often have a loose, expressive style in mind, and I always aim to make progress toward that. But that’s the beauty of the creative process—no single piece is ever ‘final’ or ‘perfect.’ Each painting offers something to learn, a step forward on the journey. Even...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader! We've passed the middle of October and I’m finally sharing the flip-through of my August sketchbook. I meant to post this weeks ago, but…obviously, it didn’t happen! While I was preparing this latest video, I got an email that my YouTube channel had reached 15,000 subscribers (!) This didn’t happen overnight, and I haven’t stopped to acknowledge any of the other milestones (like 5k or 10k), but this time it felt appropriate to share. It’s not about the number, but about the people...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
At the beginning of August, I started a new sketchbook with the goal of creating every weekday. Sounds simple, right? But even as someone who creates regularly, I go through seasons where I don’t pick up a brush for weeks, and this was one of them. Over time, it’s become easier to return to creating after breaks, even though the resistance is still there. It just doesn’t stop me like it used to. In my latest YouTube video, I share the strategies I use to overcome creative resistance, along...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Today I thought I’d keep this email short and sweet and share a few things you might have missed and a few things I found interesting while perusing the internet. I haven’t been posting long-form YouTube videos this year - a decision I made in an effort to focus on other things - which so far has proved to be a good one for me. Instead, I’ve been sharing some short videos in the meantime: A Few Fun Facts (About Me) A great budget-friendly 100% cotton paper Do you know about the Watercolor...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Whether you’re a beginner or you’re just trying to dust off your supplies and get back into putting something down on paper after a break, ink & wash (also called line & wash) is a great way to paint with watercolor without the pressure of actually painting with watercolor. Watercolor paint gets to simply be an expression of color, movement, and texture while the ink lines carry the job of rendering the object or scene. As with any art that is made, there is no right or wrong way...
about 2 years ago • 1 min read
