The Unexpected Art Lesson Hidden in a Field of Wildflowers🌼
On slowing down, seeing deeper, and letting go of artistic expectations.
I’ve been wanting to share this post a while, but with all the book deadlines piling up and my mind wrapped up in books, it took me ages to actually write this story down. Now that summer is winding down and school is starting next week, I figured I’d get this out before it gets too late in the year. I know it's a little late for a post about spring, but hey, better late than never, right?
It was late spring here in Southern California, and the perfect hiking weather before summer turned everything into an oven. I was on my usual trail when I noticed a small crowd gathered on a hillside near the trailhead, all taking photos. Of course, I - swaths of purple and yellow so vibrant they almost didn't look real. The sight stuck with me, and after lunch, I grabbed my paints and headed back to capture it.
The day was overcast and unusually humid for SoCal. My paint took forever to dry, especially the yellow and purple layers I was building up. I'm more used to quick-drying paint under our usual blazing sun. But the slow pace forced me to really look at what I was painting. The way the colors interacted and how the humidity softened the edges of the petals. It became less about rushing to finish and more about observing.
Painting outdoors always teaches you something. The light changes, the wind picks up at the worst moment, and sometimes - like this time - the conditions push you out of your usual habits. Those wildflowers made me use color combinations I'd normally avoid in plein air or any naturalistic style: saturated opera and pink next to bright yellows and greens that felt almost electric. In my studio or illustrations, I might call these colors "too much," but here, in this context, they were exactly right.
I enjoyed the experience so much that I returned to the same spot two days later. But this time, the sun was out in full force. The light was harsh, the heat oppressive, and my paints dried almost before they hit the paper.
I packed up early - some days, nature reminds you who's really in charge.
That cloudy afternoon stayed with me, though. It was a good reminder to stay open to unexpected color palettes and to appreciate the way different conditions can change how we see things.
PS - If you'd like to bring a piece of these wildflower moments into your own space, the original watercolor sketches from that day are now available in my online gallery!
Curious about the paints, brushes, and palettes I use? Check out my Little Art Store on Amazon - full of professional-quality supplies I actually use for my books and gallery projects. 🌼
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Happy painting! 🥰🎨
Have you ever had a project or moment that made you reconsider your usual approach? I'd love to hear about it. 😊
So, the post might be a little late, but there’s something new to share!
Went to my friend Maple Lam’s launch for Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Battle of the Beasts at Once Upon a Time Bookstore, and it was such a blast! 🎉 It also gave me the perfect excuse to re-read the first book, The Monster and The Maze, before jumping into her new one.
If you’re into graphic novels, myths, or just love seeing the behind-the-scenes of how books get made, go check out Maple’s Substack - it’s super fun!
Such gorgeous colors. I loved seeing the video of your layers/process. Thanks for sharing.