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Disclaimer: I'm not really going to list 101 reasons, but once I began asking "why?" it seemed the answers always led to another "why?" Which led to more reasons...

Why watercolor?

I recently read a blog by Luann Udell entitled HOW TO GET TO THE "HEART" BEHIND YOUR ART. Through this post, I was encouraged to examine the choices I've made in the last ten years that have brought me to the place I am now in my art journey. (Yes, it's now exactly ten years since I began taking watercolor lessons!) In her post, Luann offered a challenge that got me thinking; she wrote, "So your homework today, should you choose to accept it, is to think about as many choices as you can: Why do you focus on that particular medium...?" She went on to ask many more questions, but my mind could hardly get past that first one. I asked myself, "Why did I choose to paint with watercolor?" My standard reply to that question is: "I've always admired it." But why? I started listing the characteristics that drew me to watercolor: Soft, beautiful color. Appearance of effortlessness. Gentleness. Delicacy. Glow. Subtleties.

I love the challenges of watercolor, and painting makes me happy!

Watercolor allows for soft gradations and subtleties, as well as crisp detail.

Why did I begin painting when I did?

Watercolor painting for me started out as something to fill a void in my life during a time of loss and change. One evening my husband and I were wandering around admiring art at the annual MOSAICS festival in St. Charles. I found something I wanted to buy, but Mike noticed a sign in the artist's booth advertising watercolor lessons. Mike encouraged me to try it. A few weeks later I started taking weekly lessons with local watercolor artist, Jean McMullen.

Why did I continue with the lessons?

Watercolor classes turned out to be just what I needed: an outlet for creativity and learning in the company of like-minded creative people. I liked the challenge. I liked the process. I felt like I was pretty good at it. It was good to have a routine. To set aside the messiness of life. Someplace to go just for me. A place for discovery.

Glowing Color (Egret Detail)

Why do I love watercolor?

It does cool things. It is difficult. Unique. There is always more to learn: color combinations, glazing, texture, "happy accidents". Watercolor painting teaches me patience and perseverance. My paintings make other people happy. They make me happy. Why? A sense of accomplishment. Joy in the process. Intimacy with the subject... For me, the reasons are endless!

In future writings, I hope to share with you more of my "whys": Why this technique?Why this color palette? Why this subject, brand of paper, paint, brush...you get the idea. If you have a question about why I choose a specific something, please let me know and I'll try to provide my whys in future posts!

I will end by offering you the same challenge...to think about as many choices as you can relating to your own creative outlet, be it painting, pottery, textiles, gardening, cooking, dancing...whatever creative thing it is you love to do! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.

Create. Love. Repeat.