Even though I have been painting with watercolors for a couple years, I really struggle with creativity. I often feel uninspired, unmotivated, and really just scared to start painting before I even get the brush wet. I watched this class a month or two ago and wrote down the single quote "a sketchbook is a safe place to explore your art".

But I didn't paint for 3 weeks. Art block.

About a week ago, I saw that quote in my notebook and decided to watch the class again. This time, between Ohn Mar Win's beautiful voice and incredibly inspiring wisdom (side note: my boyfriend was in the room when I was watching and was wondering if it was a painting video or a motivational piece - I said both), I decided that I would try to start painting again.

I felt cautious at first - afraid to stray outside the lines or to be bold because I was sure it would end up with something ugly. But I painted anyway, repeating in my mind, "explore, make mistakes, learn," and thinking of some of the examples in this class of beautiful bright watercolors and patterns.

After about a full week after painting every day with no lofty expectations other than just to paint, one unsuspecting night I had all my paints out before me and I just had fun.

Fun.

Fun! I can't even think of the last time I really just had fun painting! I knew I had to share my experience in both gratitude to Ohn Mar Win and encouragement for anybody else who is struggling to get started.

Seriously, thank you - your words sing to my soul. I have tried to embrace the idea that a sketchbook is a safe place to explore and so for the past week I have stopped letting worry dictate my paintings and instead I really push myself to explore and try new things - bold colors, shapes, adding in white pen, using a fineliner, accepting mistakes - now I allow these things to be a part of the painting.

Here are a few of my paintings over the past week - they're all a little different but I tried to go with whatever inspired me at the moment.

Fun - image 1 - student project

These are koroks from the new Zelda video game. I loved painting their whimsical designs but still felt a little stiff and disappointed when things didn't turn out perfect.

Fun - image 2 - student project

Some pansies from my garden. I have been wanting to paint them forever because I think they are so beautiful. I still felt a little shy painting these - like I had to have all the details correct, so I gave up after painting just a few.

Fun - image 3 - student project

I really love Ohn Mar Win's patterns, so I decided to combine that style with sea turtle hatchlings - a creature very near and dear to my heart. I like this one so much I've decided to develop it into a bigger painting that I'm currently working on.

Fun - image 4 - student project

I was tired after a long day, but I still wanted to paint. I was looking through some of my photos on my computer and found these guys. I wasn't happy with them at the time, but looking back at them now I quite like the way they turned out.

Fun - image 5 - student project

This one I started while I was waiting at a dentist office. They had a lovely saltwater aquarium with some happy bright fish swimming around. I was only able to do the sketch of the fish and some light washes there, but when I got home I added in the bold, bright colors and some details. It's not perfect, but who cares??

Fun - image 6 - student project

These beetles. Again I sat down at night to paint, tired. But this time something magical happened and I had so much fun painting these silly little beetles! They aren't perfect, but I quite love them and had such a good time that literally all I want to do now is paint more beetles.

Thank you for the most wonderful class - it was really an experience for me. I am looking forward to taking more of your classes and I really hope to move forward with my artwork with what I have learned from this class - not what to paint, not what brushstrokes to make or what colors to use, but HOW to paint from a place of happiness, inspiration, and journey.

Stephanie

Stephanie Liszewski

illustration and design

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