Frequently Asked Questions
Who are your big inspirations?
Old-timers like Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent, both stunning watercolorists, and some more modern painters like N.C. Wyeth and Norman Rockwell, phenomenal oil painters who excelled at capturing both the epic and the everyday. In the present day, my biggest inspiration would be my high school art teacher, Lisa Wright. Beyond teaching me the practical aspects of art, she instilled in me a God-centered motivation for creativity, and gifted me with the invaluable encouragement to see my art as something I had been given to share with others. I also learn a great deal from Michael Holter, an excellent watercolorist whose work helps me unpack new facets to focus on. He makes any subject matter approachable!
What is your favorite medium?
I’ve always liked sketching and drawing with pencils, but watercolors have become my absolute favorite. Strangely enough, when I worked with them in art class, I didn’t love them. It wasn’t until a friend asked me if I would illustrate a project for her – in watercolors, specifically – that I started working with them again and found, to my surprise, that I was actually loving them! I think it helped that it was a personal challenge to deliver on a friend’s request, and the fact that I had recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, which offers such a lot of scenery to paint.
Is it hard to create art?
Yes and no. I really enjoy what I do, so in that sense it is easy. But it’s also very much like any other sport or discipline – I have to practice a lot if I want to stay good or improve. Naturally there are seasons where I’m unproductive, but I have found that the best way to get out of those doldrums is by watching other artists’ tutorials. Seeing folks create art makes me want to get back to it myself, especially if it’s discussing an area I’ve been struggling with.
