Why do I paint watercolors?
I don’t think there is one answer to why I choose to work with watercolors.
A simple one may be that it was a medium my mom used and it was something we did together. A more complicated reason is that it is a medium that is daring and often immediate, at times uncontrollable, often excitingly so. It can be soft and wispy like clouds, bright and daring like brilliant flowers. Colors blend through water, flowing into each other to create more colors, sometimes with unexpected, wonderful results. It can seem incredibly delicate but also allows for daring techniques to achieve special effects. It is probably the most challenging of the painting mediums as it can be most unforgiving. It is immediate in its nature and takes patience to master.
So why watercolors? Because…
It is challenging as well as rewarding. It is a medium that takes time to practice and a lot of forethought. It is exciting to experiment and learn from each painting and from fellow artists, and each painting is uniquely your own singular creation.
Like its namesake “water,” while you may guide, push and play with it, it flows and that is the beauty of it.