Studio Journal
Gifting a Custom Watercolour Child Portrait: A Meaningful Commission Guide
A child portrait is one of those gifts that doesn’t just get opened – it gets kept. It becomes part of a family’s daily life: on a wall, in a hallway, in the room where the light hits it every morning. If you’re considering commissioning a custom child portrait as a gift for grandparents, parents, a spouse, or a close friend, this guide will walk you through what to expect, how to choose the right photo, and how to make the whole experience feel personal (and stress-free).
Practicing Artists who offer Mentorship Programs
Yes – there are teachers who are practicing artists who sell original watercolours and mentorship programs. In fact, it is one of the clearest signals you are dealing with someone who is not only making work, but also thinking deeply about craft, process, and the long game of becoming an artist.
I’m one of them.
I paint original watercolour portraits and narrative pieces, and I also teach through private lessons, workshops, and a longer mentorship program. For collectors, that combination matters more than people realise. For students, it changes everything.
How Jurors Judge Watercolour Competitions: A Practical Guide for Artists
If you’ve ever entered a watercolour (or wider art) competition and wondered, “What are they actually looking for?”you’re not alone. I’ve been on both sides – submitting work and serving as a juror for multiple in-person and online competitions, both nationally and internationally.
This is my comprehensive guide to how judging often works, what criteria may be used, and how to present your work well – especially for online submissions. I’ll also be honest about something artists don’t always hear: every judge has biases. The goal isn’t to pretend we don’t – it’s to know them, name them, and judge with integrity.
Seen & Known; Solo Show
My Solo Show, Seen & Known opens on Saturday, March 21st, and I have the opening reception for my BIGGEST solo show so far, at the Foyer Gallery in the Squamish Public Library, from 11.30am to 1.30pm.
Memorial Portraits: How to Honour Someone Well
Commissioning a memorial portrait is a tender thing to do.
It is not just about creating a likeness. It is about honouring someone’s life in a way that feels truthful, and giving yourself (or your family) something steady to return to when words run out.
If you are considering a memorial portrait, here are a few practical, gentle things that can help you make decisions without feeling rushed.
Why You Don’t Need Art School to Become a Professional Watercolour Artist
I have a lot of respect for art education. I also don’t believe it has to look like a university degree.
I went to art school. I’ve also learned through online education, in-person workshops, and mentorships with working professional artists. And if I’m honest, most of the growth that actually made me a stronger painter – and a more sustainable professional – came after graduation.
So if you’re wondering whether you need art school to become a successful watercolour artist, my answer is simple: no. You need training, feedback, and mileage. You need to learn how to see. You need to learn how to work. But you don’t need a formal degree to do that.
How to Frame a Watercolour Properly
Framing a watercolour well is not about being precious or fussy. It is about protecting paper and giving the artwork the kind of finish it deserves.
Watercolour is pigment sitting in (and on) paper fibres. That means the framing choices around it matter more than most people realise. The good news is you do not need to memorise a hundred technical terms. You just need to know what actually affects longevity and what is mostly sales talk.
How to Choose a Photo for a Watercolour Portrait Commission
Choosing the right reference photo is the single biggest factor in how your watercolour portrait turns out. Not because I need a “perfect” photo, but because watercolour is honest – it translates light, shape, and atmosphere in a very direct way. A strong photo gives us something solid to build on, so the finished portrait can feel both true to the person and true to the medium.
If you’re commissioning a portrait (for a child, a partner, a memorial, or a gift), here’s what to look for.
Watercolour Portrait vs Oil Portrait – What to Expect?
If you’re considering commissioning a portrait, the first question usually isn’t whether you want one – it’s what kind. Watercolour and oil portraits can both be deeply personal, heirloom-level pieces, but they behave very differently as mediums. That affects everything from how the portrait feels, to how it’s displayed, to what you can reasonably expect from the process.
This guide will help you choose with clarity (and without the jargon).
Introducing My New Watercolor Paint Collection – Perfect for Artists and Gift-Giving
Available for Pre-Order – Just in Time for Christmas!
Are you searching for the perfect watercolour paint palette to elevate your art or to gift to the artist in your life? I’m thrilled to announce the release of my signature watercolour paint collection, now available for pre-order through the Rockwell Website!
As an award-winning watercolour artist specialising in loose, atmospheric portraits, this collection reflects my favourite foundational palettes. Each set is carefully curated to help you achieve depth, emotion, and vibrancy in your work.
Evoking Stories in Watercolour Portraits: Exploring Emotional Depth
In the world of art, there exists a unique and mesmerizing ability to evoke emotions, narrate stories, and forge connections through brushstrokes and hues. I, myself, can't over-emphasize how highly I place relationships and community, and how much my practice depends on it - I believe we are designed for relationships. As a watercolour portrait artist, my journey delves into capturing more than mere likeness; it aims to encapsulate emotions and provoke contemplation to create that connection.
Rockwell International Brand Ambassador
Honoured and stoked to Announce that I have been appointed by Rockwell Art Canada as an International Brand Ambassador. 🎉🥂🥳
I'm beyond excited to have discovered their pigments that play and dance so well with each other, but also enhance my painting process and add beautiful complexity to my paintings when used with the pigments already in my palette.
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