Watercolor Notes
June 18, 2026
In this issue
- Reader responses to last week’s newsletter
- My crazy day
- What’s available
- Question of the week
Looking Back
Hi Reader,
In my last newsletter, I wrote about creative resistance, the invisible force field that shows up right when you’re supposed to be painting. I used the analogy of magnets that I played with as a kid. No matter how hard you push the opposing poles together, they won’t go.
That’s what resistance feels like, not laziness, just a force you can feel pushing back against your desire to be creative.
I asked what works for you when this shows up and had some great responses.
A few readers’ strategies for dealing with creative resistance:
T. — “When paint doesn’t inspire me I may work with clay or pastels for a while, but I’ll always come back to watercolor.”
P. — “I put it away, then a few days or weeks later, I look again. Sometimes I switch media. It helps me see differently.”
J. — “I’m working on overcoming the two big Ps that stop me cold: Perfectionism and Procrastination.”
Same resistance, different doorways back into the creative flow. I find that reassuring. If one door seems locked, try another one.
This Week’s Note
Painting in humid conditions is pretty normal for me, but painting in drizzly rain is a completely different challenge.
A few days ago, I set up at Simpson Beach, one of my favorite painting spots (Ellie’s too), thinking the weather would clear. It sure looked that way when I started. But instead of clearing, it got more drizzly.
I’d already started the painting, so I took a break and played with Ellie, thinking the rain would ease up. It didn’t. It just kept drizzling.
I decided to treat it as a challenge. Damp paper became pretty saturated paper so I used thicker paint. Soft edges became lost edges. It was not a complete painting but a fun experiment. And just about the time I decided to pack up, the sun came out.
I was looking forward to getting back to my car and finding a sunny spot to park and eat my packed lunch. But when I got to my car, I found the rear window shattered.
I didn’t see anyone or anything that was obviously missing, so I got my gear and Ellie carefully into the car while a million little pieces of the back window fell with every move. And then it dawned on me…
My lunch was gone.
Really?! Someone broke my rear window to steal a tuna sandwich and a sliced apple. My best guess is my lunch bag in the back of my car looked more like a purse through the tinted glass. I had to smile thinking about them opening that bag.
The whole day didn’t go as planned. The weather didn’t cooperate, the painting got soaked, and I drove home with no back window and no lunch. But the sun was shining, Ellie and I were safe, and in spite of the creepy sandwich thief, I had a good time.
“
Art and joy go together with bold openness and high head and ready hand – fearing not and dreading no exposure.
— James McNeill Whistler
What’s Available
- June 19 Live Co-Painting for Watercolor in Flow Members. Click here to learn about becoming a member.
- June 27-28 Sketching Adventures, an in-person workshop I’m teaching. Click here for more info.
- Paint coaching: get personalized instruction and guidance from me this summer. Reply to this email for more info.
Your Turn
It always makes me smile when you write a reply to my newsletter. A painter friend called this group my “vinamily”, a blend of my name and family. I love that term!
So could we keep this going? I’ll ask a question at the end of the newsletter, and your responses will become part of the next one. This way you’ll know we’re in this together.
This Week’s Question
Has a painting session ever gone completely sideways on you and turned out to be worth it anyway?
I’d love to hear about it, the crazier the story, the better! Hit Reply.
All the best,
Vinita
600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
Unsubscribe · Preferences
