Are you thinking of taking a watercolor class? Let’s sort out the pros and cons.
The observations and thoughts of a watercolorist and mentor/teacher to others who are, as she is, devoted to this painting medium. Join Cara for her stories of life and art-making, the intersection inbetween and the wisdom she discovers along the way.
Podcast by Tyler Gesselman
B
Birgit O'Connor and The World of Watercolor Painting


1
Birgit O'Connor and The World of Watercolor Painting
Birgit O'Connor
Watercolor tips, guest interviews, demonstrations, marketing, techniques, how to stay motivated
Carol LaChiusa's Watercolor Workshop brings you a most unique set of videos that promise to deliver a combination of wonderful experiences. Relax, Mellow-out, or Learn to paint Watercolor as thousands have done over the last 40 years.
Two incidents, two days in a row had me go looking for something I'd written, and wisdom I'd shared from other sources, that reminded me of the full story behind the protestations that arose in me from each of these two interactions. This one has to do with whether or not we intentionally imbue our creations with messages, emotions, etc - and ultim…
A few different approaches to viewing art.
It's been a busy, distracted and chaotic-feeling year so far. And I've not been painting much at all! I went searching through my posts for inspiration and wisdom that *I* needed to hear in this moment to get re-connected with my painting-self. I need a reminder of how it can be when painting is a heart-centered devotion, rather than something to c…
What is your intention in looking at great art? How to better achieve that goal.
When can good technique hinder advancement as a fine artist?
Why is he so good?
The illusion of light in our paintings is a magical thing. Using just contrast of and dark and the subtleties of relative lights and darks in between, we can create a world. In this episode, hear how in response to a short question, I came up with the four aspects of how it is that I (at least) create worlds of light in my paintings. Includes ideas…
Color! It's such a *deal* for those of us who make art. It can variously be an obsession, a challenge, a tool - as well as a source of fear and/or curiosity. I posit that each of us has some kind of relationship with it. I myself am a self-professed color nerd and daily appreciator of it in my life. In this episode I explore at least two aspects of…
Maybe art sessions can help heal the bad effects of constant interactions with digital devices.
Can a toddler make contemporary art? No. So what’s going on with those scribbles and blotches that sell for millions?
Is there a difference between playing with different art materials and making true and meaningful fine art?
Will education destroy natural creativity?
What’s in your paint and did anyone die making it?
Yes! We are related to our creations - our paintings for those of us who paint. I outline some of the stages in these relationships in an amusing - but true - way. And, I explore the practice and the value of the standard art critique - and how much it honors these relationships. Includes ideas from a post orignally published under the title "Our l…
How to manage your creative time
Don’t pick up that brush until you have employed the three a’s. Awareness of what’s there. Assessment of the shapes colors, etc. Then action.
Three things to watch out for when reaching an intermediate level of painting skills.
How I came to understand just what kind of artist I am - and let go of any idea that I'm not a real artist - for all those who are journalist-artists too! Orignally published under the title "I am a journalist!" on September 15, 2015 here: http://www.lifeinfullcolor.com/life-stories/september-15-2015-i-am-a-journalist/ where you can see photos and …
Hear about the role that work and the energy to do work plays out in our lives and art-making - and learn a word in Croatian! Orignally published under the title "Renewing my Appreciation for Work" on March 17, 2015 here: http://www.lifeinfullcolor.com/life-stories/march-17-2015-renewing-my-appreciation-for-work/ Cara Brown - Watercolorist - Teache…
Is criticism good for artists?
Opening up to the way our ever changing bodily and mental states affect our creative process and how to use them or enhance them to be in flow.
How does personality type affect creativity?
How to approach dazzlingly beautiful subjects
Another level of deep observation. How to think beyond first impressions and avoid boring paintings.
Stay focused on the active creative work of painting and let the automatic do your bidding. But don’t let the mindless unconscious run away with the process.
What external and internal influences shaped your create life?
What I've come to believe about painting, learning, pursuing a creative endeavor - a little longer episode, with a couple of personal anecdotes. Originally published on my website under "About My Teaching" here: http://http://www.lifeinfullcolor.com/about/my-teaching/ Cara Brown - Watercolorist - Teacher - www.lifeinfullcolor.com ...where you can f…
Use this guide as you are creating a work of art to help you use tools of contrast to bring your vision to life.
How to not overpaint. When do you know it’s time to stop painting?
How do we convey emotion through painting?
How to think about both the automatic unconscious part of painting as well as the higher levels of creating.
Arguing that anyone can open the artist within. Not just certain people
Learning from other peoples art and your own how to have an enriching experience. Five tips
Whom should you show a work in progress to? What will help you move forward to deeper levels of expertise as a painter?
W
Watercolor Conversations with Cara Brown


How inner and outer criticism plays in our creating - and in our relationships. Orignally published under the title "On the way to Hallelujah" on October 28, 2014 here: http://www.lifeinfullcolor.com/life-stories/october-28-2014-on-the-way-to-hallelujah which includes pictures! Cara Brown - Watercolorist - Teacher - www.lifeinfullcolor.com ...where…
Are we selling ourselves short by limiting how we define the word talent? What if it's not what we usually think? Originally published under the title "Firsts, beginnings, starting out" on October 21, 2014 here: http://www.lifeinfullcolor.com/life-stories/october-21-2014-firsts-beginnings-starting-out which has pictures! Cara Brown - Watercolorist …
A revisit of my very first public writing! Hear the wise message of patience I discovered in a tree that could be centuries old. Originally published under the title "The Old Oak Tree" on October 1, 2014 here: http://www.lifeinfullcolor.com/life-stories/october-1-2014-the-old-oak-tree which includes photos of the tree. Cara Brown - Watercolorist - …
I'm Cara Brown - devoted watercolorist and teacher/mentor and I'm following an inkling to share some of the ideas, connections and revelations that I explored in 4 years of dedicated weekly blogging. Cara Brown - Watercolorist - Teacher - www.lifeinfullcolor.com ...where you can find all my paintings, workshop offerings and the entire archive of my…
What is the difference between illustration vs fine arts both as consumer and creator?
This Friday we are having another discussion and demo on the art of Georgia O’keeffe. Check out the series on wendysoneson.com. Secrets of the great watercolorists
Why fine arts practice can mirror the effects of meditation and mindfulness practice.
Contemplating an upcoming zoom meeting about Winslow Homer. How do we approach a beautiful and challenging subject like the ever changing ocean?
Thoughts on upcoming zoom class about Edward Hopper. Wendysoneson.com
Let other original artists’ ideas give you a starting point for your own innovations.
This is what I know and believe about selling art.
A new series of zoom demonstrations for artists as well as art aficionados.
From a discussion about the difference between original, professional art vs amateur or commercial art. Identifying it in the world and the approach to making it.
We progress as artists not just when holding a brush. Other factors keep us moving forward
What is the value of being in the art mind? Can it help us endure the hardships of everyday life?
Why do I ask my students to copy a great work of art? What do they learn?