Don’t want to see the conversation end? Kristy and I shot a video for her channel too! Make sure to check out here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jNmdorJp2c7OnoU.htmlsi=MKiZ8ByQzNz_kSjl

You are my favorite watercolor teacher on KZfaq because of your authenticity, sweet personality and your style of teaching. I think we all struggle sometimes, especially as the seasons change and the days get shorter, at least I do. Thank you for being brave by reaching out and bringing us along on this journey. 💜 Side note, I LOVE your book.

This was wonderful! I would love to see more of these conversations. Not only are they therapy for the producers/artists, but they are so helpful for us in the audience. We are all learning together! Thanks you Emma and Kristy! It was good to sit in on the chat between the two of you-and I loved the little tip of adding pencil details and shadows to watercolor.🙏🙏🙏💕💫

It’s great to hear you say there’s no morality to putting brush, to paint, to paper. Your supplies are not treasures. Your supplies are the unfinished work. Do your work. If you were in an office space and you did not use the office supplies, you would not be doing any work. You would be fired. The end. Do your work. You are an artist. Do your work.🎨

Your art work is so beautiful. Thank you for being so honest. We also watch because of you, not just your artwork.

My dear Emma, I am soon to be the age of 75 and have followed your UTUBE channel for years! You were my first instructer. I have social anxiety so I didn't want to go to classes and seeing you on this channel was the best solution for me. I have learned so much from you and Kristy and my watercolor journey has greatly improved throughout the years. I have to commend you for wearing so many hats with your marriage and children and your channels. No wonder that your creativity is affected from time to time. You are a great artist and I really loved it when you did drawings of people, you and your family. I was gifted a book from a friend called the Artist's Way. A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron. The book gives you daily exercises to complete to inspire and enhance your creativity. The one thing it stresses is to start with journaling each day and write all and anything that comes to mind to clear out the noise and chatter in your brain for one thing. You mentioned going out to a location which is another suggestion. Visiting a gallery or a museum for another. I know you are so busy with your beautiful kids and you didn't use them as an excuse which we all know plays a huge part of losing inspiration. It's a juggling act for sure! I love you and admire you as well! Loved the painting today and the therapeutic conversation with Kristy. Keep on keeping on dear heart!

Please don't ever stop painting!! We love you, even on the rough days, it just makes you so much more connected with us to see your "humanity". I am a new watercolor artist, and your sheer joy when you paint (even if you're not feeling it) makes us want to create and paint and enjoy. You are both lovely and you're changing our ability to create as well. THANK YOU. keep letting us see all your "realness". It makes us feel less alone as well.

Emma and Kristy, you two are my favorites. Thank you Emma for your honesty. I’ve had health issues this year and have been struggling. I finally feel like picking up a brush again. You are not alone, your community is here for you. Much love and happy painting. ❤

Ladies, I am not an artist, by any stretch, but I think your discussion in this video is really universal to all people. And it is a very important conversation that all should hear. Through my 45 year work life, I had to continuously remind myself of the need for balance, breaks, stepping back to reassess regularly, and reminding myself continuously of the part that I was playing in the world's progress and well-being. (Sometimes it is just hard work...) I don't think there is a person who can thrive and succeed doing only one thing all day, every day. We all need variety, balance, change of pace, and renewal, no matter how dedicated we are or want to be. Emma, I wish you the best in finding your balance and getting your enthusiasm back. Give yourself permission to relax and reimagine. That is part of the process toward success in any walk of life. Connecting with others in your art community as you have done with this video is perfect! I am sure you are helping others as you two share your thoughts with each other and us.

I would rather watch you be REAL and create with joy than watch you chase perfection. I enjoy spending time with you, learning and playing with art. I lose interest when the video has been edited so much that reality is lost. Love you both Emma and Kristy!❤❤ Thank you😊

My two favorite artists together ❤ I'm sooo happy to see this collab!! I've been waiting for this!!

I would love to see you paint outdoors! What a great way to refresh yourself and give yourself a change from your studio. I’m looking forward to seeing this when you’re ready to 🥰

I love the idea of a series: therapy with artists sharing while painting together. I don’t always catch the videos when they first come out (yes,algorithm) but I do still watch/listen while I paint. Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to more content on getting out of your head & just play.

Ab fab series! The struggle to maintain one's zeal for your work is applicable to any vocation or avocation. No matter how much one enjoys their chosen profession, the pressure to produce income (which we all need) is real. The countless hours of planning, filming, editing, etc. YT videos would take an enormous toll on anyone.

Your smile at the end of the video is the best. You and Kristy are my go to watercolor people. The Joy is in you.

Sending love. I found joy because u showed me the way in watercolor ❤

I love seeing the two of you together! I’m so glad that you did this video together. I’ve had so much fun doing several KZfaq lives with Kristy on painting and letting go of perfectionism and she is just the joy giver of watercolor. And Emma you have been so pivotal in my watercolor journey and I appreciate your calm and the ease with which you teach and show your artform 😀

Love Love Love your flowers of watercolor and graphite! Yes!

Emma, I just wanted you to know that YOUR instruction has been the door for me to watercolor. When I was a little girl, a wonderful artist made a beautiful bookmark for me- of a lovely flower, which I have treasured over the years. I’m 53- and tried several times to learn via lessons, etc, but it never brought me any satisfaction, or joy, until I finally I found YOU. Something about your easy- going and very clear style has been the ticket. Your work is beautiful, and I love your videos- have learned so much from you. Thank you for sharing your magic with us!❤️

On the topic of “wasting” supplies, I came to realize recently that, at least for me, the process is far more important than the product. If I occasionally create a beautiful piece of art that is wall-worthy, of course I’m pleased. But for all the paintings that aren’t perfect, or the paper I use to practice brush strokes or just experiment, those supplies are never wasted because I got to spend time playing with paint, watching it flow, learning something new. Even if it ends up in the trash, it wasn’t a waste because I enjoyed the process, relaxed, had some fun, and maybe learned something. More joy, less stress.

Always love your honesty Emma ... please do whatever you love, we will always love you... ❤❤❤

This was so enJOYable! Thank you for being brave enough to reach out when you felt you needed some help. You reached out to the perfect person, in my opinion! I love watching Kristy’s channel and watching her break the rules because I’m always so uptight and a rule follower! And bringing us along for the ride is so generous of you! I’m psyched to try something different tomorrow😅. We’ll see you next week for more fun!

My favorite yoga teacher, Adrienne, says the hardest part is showing up. Its’s so true. Kristy’s approach is sort of the same process. Just do it! Very brave and very important of you posting this. Thanks Emma. You have helped more people than you know.

This was great! Thank you for being so transparent! I’m sorry you are going through this, but you’re on the right track to feeling better by simply “knowing “ & “acknowledging “ - and then looking for solutions! You are such a sweet person and I love your teaching style! This is a valley in this life , that is full of peaks & valleys! Keep smiling & painting and remember “what goes down always comes back up!” Thank you for being here!! 💕🙏🏼💕🙏🏼

2 wonderful artists who I follow drawing beautiful flowers and discussing a very deep issue ❤ what is not to love about this video. Thank you both so much ❤❤❤

This was a great session. Kristy is so right. Allow yourself “play” time and mixed media is a sure way to get you going. I purchased some cheap cold pressed 140 lb paper at a local store that sells discount things and I use it to practice and “play” on when I have one of those days. That way I’m not using the expensive paper. Hang in there kid! You are not alone!!

If this brings you joy, DO IT!!! I love this!! It is so cool to watch 2 different artists do this kind of watercolor play!

Creativity is a messy business! Most of us are happy to be "creative," but if we become obligated to create, it becomes work. You started out saying you were creating because it's your job. Or at least that's a big reason. Don't beat yourself up. Take a break and do something that you want to do for yourself. People who love to see your watercolor videos, including me, will be here when you get back - and will welcome you with open arms. Take a vacation. Breathe the fall air. Look at the leaves. Anticipate the holidays. Renew your own spirit. It will be okay! Once you've given yourself some space, you'll come back with a whole stack of new ideas. Peace. Wishing you all the best!

Emma, this is some of your best work! So pretty! And thank you, Kristy! I follow both of you on KZfaq. Emma taught me how to set up and how use supplies, and Kristy taught me how to PLAY!! Thank you both!!!

THIS was exactly what I needed. I've barely touched my paints in the last month because I've been under a lot of stress and feeling like I needed to create something special. I know in my head the value of just doing something even if it's not perfect...let's do more of these!

Oh Emma... creativity blocks are not just for content creators. I Cobain myself more of a fabric artist who dabbles in watercolor...I love creating and being creative. It doesn't always happen...life gets in the way! I so enjoy both you and Kristy and to have a "therapy" session with both of you is "the bees knees"! The best! We out here in community land ... just love the fact that you are so willing to share yourself with us. Thank you!

I really appreciate you sharing what you're experiencing. This gives me such encouragement.

What you created was so beautiful, Emma. Thanks for sharing!

I’m glad to hear Kristy say that she had an endless supply of art supplies. I do that for my daughter and yet…. When it comes to me painting I feel like Emma in that I don’t want to waste MY art supplies. It’s amazing that as an adult we put conditions on us while we will truly give our kids anything to not feel the way we do. I too apparently need to get out of my own head!!!

Oh...totally resonates with me. I changed my hobby into a business (quilting, teaching, KZfaq) and I thought I needed new hobbies. The first 3 I tried became something I brought into the shop. So I took up watercolors. And at the moment, I'm about to add hand embroidery to a watercolor piece. I'm watching this after taking 2 days off to try to recharge the creative mojo. I can get into flow state with watercolor more easily than my machine sewing. But it sure would be better to find my creative joy back into my creative quilting.

through this video, I can sense the tension melting away from your presence Emma. Kristy you and Emma together is like a lovely cup of tea: soothing, refreshing. Thank you so much for sharing your time and your lovely doodles. Emma I hope that you feel better now. We all get that "unmotivated" period. I'm doing Inktober to help stretch my skills, to do something everyday, to keep the creativity flowing. It's a real challenge because the subject prompts are not in my skilset at all, so I'm jsut being "wild" and free, and not caring about what everyone else is doing. And I'm having some fun, learning new things too. I hope that you would give that a try some time too!

I love you ladies both and I loved this conversation. I paint in my recliner while I watch tv or listen to music and I have four journals going all the time- I paint on one , let it dry and start another and another. Come back for a second round. It’s casual and relaxing. Every now and then i’ll pull out the good paper!!

Well ladies what a lovely manner you both have, your both talented and kind and I’m trying to teach myself . It has been very therapeutic to watch and listen. Well done you both.

I love the real talk, thank you for being vulnerable. One thing that I remind myself is that I may not like a painting or see areas for improvement, but my family and friends love the little paintings when I send it to them with a personal note. Everyone likes to know they’re loved and thought of. It also gives me confidence when I think I’m not good enough. I appreciate you both sharing!

Oh sweet Emma... it's called "burn out" You are so giving and you don't save anything for you!! Whenever you make your joy your job, it sucks the life out of you. No one is immune to this. Do you have anything else creatively that may start joy? Anything you've always wanted to try? Take a quilt class? Learn to knit? You mentioned drawing... what about a colored pencil art? I stumbled on a gorgeous red rose tutorial, that I thought was watercolor, only to find it was layering colored pencils!! Fabulous!! I can't wait to give it a try. You must find a way to "play." You and Kristy have such a special friendship... and today you let her take the lead, you reached out a hand for help and she happily took the lead... That's all you needed. You time! You are always the one rescuing all of us from our dark place. Take the time to learn something new that sparks joy to you ❤ We all will be here for you 😊

Love the honesty and vulnerability of this conversation... thank you both

Your humility is inspiring. Thanks for being honest and seeking others to help.

i think many people think of creativity as a bottomless well, where new ideas and creative joy can be drawn without consideration. I believe it is more of a living thing that must be nurtured and then it will give without boundaries. I don't think that is limited to professional artists, but to all artists regardless of how well or how often they create. Taking time off, returning to techniques that are comfortable to regain confidence or joy, reminding yourself that failure is learning and you deserve all the supplies no matter how you use them.

Thank you so much for sharing. So appreciate you both.

Emma, I was up all night as I have many health issues and I found your painting recently and love love love your style. I have only been painting 6 months. I have a cataract and autoimmune disorder that causes hand pain so painting is something I always wanted to try. When your life turns so fast to keep going on love all kinds of crafts. This is all I could do. I was feeling your overwhelmed state. My advice as you try some new ways to enjoy painting is by all means go outside. Outside makes me so.happy and I miss hiking and spending hours outdoors. And from a mother and grandmother take some breaks and take those cutie babies out and play. They grow up and are gone so fast. Go out and play on the grass and leaves you paint so well. Get some pumpkins and straw or whatever and make a cute outdoor decoration then eventually paint it to relax. Your adorable and I love your personality. I'm glad your being real with what your dealing with. Bless you. 😊

Hello beautiful ladies it’s so nice to hear you both talked about up and down thank you so much giving us lift and understanding I love painting but now after one month start all over again thank you so much Emma love the painting you just did ❤ God bless you both ❤️

Great video. Finding people who "get" you is so important. And rare! As a cardmaking artist, people don't really get how much time, energy and MOJO it takes to create a card, but they do appreciate the finished product. I'm sorry you are going through "stuff" that's causing you stress, etc. I have found challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone, just for ME!! Adding mixed media to my art helps as well as keeping my card designs simpler. I love watching you paint and would watch you paint that " moldy piece of fruit," any time.❤

I don't do art professionally and have no plans to head that direction, but I still understand this feeling you're describing very well. There was a point when I started learning to draw and paint that something flipped in my brain, and I went from just messing around with joyous abandon to feeling intimidated by every "real" picture that I do. (I do mostly portraits.) I'm not past it, but the times when I feel like I make a dent are those where I just sketch or throw some markers around in a cheap sketchbook (7x10 Canson mixed media, in this case). Nothing to write home about, but there are a few things in there that make me smile to peruse. There's also something to be said for the personal satisfaction of having done something without fear, even if it's not a masterpiece. Looking forward to seeing where this series goes! The buddy paint-a-long was really fun to watch.

Very interesting video. I hope you feel more positive soon, Emma. I am feeling much the same way as you a lot of the time and have recently talked a little about the difficulty of showing up to make a video three times a week. I love doing it, but sometimes there just isn’t any inspiration. And all the loving comments somehow increase the pressure to perform! I just keep reminding myself how lucky I am to be able to generate an income as well as help other people to relax with painting and all from the comfort of my own home. Remembering the hell of commuting to work in Calgary in midwinter on the C-train is enough to bring home the fortune I now have! It’s so easy to forget our blessings, especially if, like me, a person suffers from depression. Wishing you much joy, Diane xxx

Got in a funk for over a year (due to some overwhelming circumstances that left me drained and frustrated which affected my motivation to do any painting. ) I’m coming out of that funk a little now and this video was very timely. Thank,you for being transparent. This will help many others!

It’s not just that you two are sharing what you go through, it’s also that your process is inspiring to us. Now you’ve given us something new to try. I’ve had a lifelong love affair with pencils so this is fascinating for me. Ellen Crimi Trent uses charcoal pencils with watercolor. Charcoal moves with water and gives interesting results. I hope you do continue this journey because it IS great!

Wow, this collaboration by you 2 lovely ladies has given me inspiration to keep trying. Emma, I have been following you since shortly after you began your channel. Kristy, I am a newer member of your channel with lots of catching up to do. Loving your work. Thank you both for sharing your talent as well as showing us everyone has struggles.

Thank you for sharing. Im a singing and piano teacher. Music was my passion but after 15yrs I lost my passion and gave up. I know now that I have a mental illness diagnosis and I was burnt out. I lost my joy. After working a normal job I realise that I wanted to teach again. My passion had been rebooted. Now I used to do acrylic pains around the same time and gave it up too. Now I am so excited to paint watercolour as it is new to me and the experimentation is really fun. Thanks again.

I started painting with you in 2020. I have often thought how difficult it must be for creators to be ‘on’ all the time to inspire us. I appreciate you. Great video.

It is so important as artists that we find joy in what we do. Changing things up really helps, and especially communicating with other artists! I have ADHD, and I have to find new challenges to ensure that I don't lose my interest in art, so finding new techniques and experamting with different mediums helps me so much!

This is what I’ve been needing. Thank you.

I’m glad you’re feeling better 🥰 I thought I once heard Kristi mention she’s a Christian. From my experience as a Christian also, that’s where all the joy truly comes from. Art therapy sessions can help temporarily but knowing who you are in Jesus Christ will bring a lasting joy and peace that surpasses understanding. I encourage you to turn to your creator who is more than eager to share with you an endless fountain of joy and peace and life. This life on earth is described as a mist of the ocean and a blink of an eye. So insignificant in the big picture. We are here for one reason. To choose life or death. Where will we spend eternity. Choose life! And bring as many with you as you can. Store up your treasures in heaven. God bless you precious Emma ✝️🩵🙏🏼

Wow. What a wonderful session. You give me hope that I might actually be able to create! Never doubt yourself, Emma. Thank you.

Brilliant! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! You have inspired me to put some watercolour down and take it from there! ❤❤❤

Thank you. That was terrific. I am a huge fan of Kristy so it was great to see the two of you together. How fun.

My two FAVORITE instructors. The sharing is so validating to those of us who feel like we are spinning our wheels in life. Emma , it has been encouraging to watch you progress in your creative and God given talent. Thank, both, for helping and encouraging we beginners. Love and prayers for yall.

Fun video. I'm not an artist but having so much fun with watercolor and drawing. Just please remember your public can't watch everything you do all the time. I have a list of those I follow and if I don't see them pop up or I've not watched them, I find them. That is what I need to do. I know where to find you. I understand about the algorythms and its a crying shame. I'm 72 and a retired nurse and I've NEVER had any interest in art for myself or opportunity as a child throughout school. It started with coloring and after a few years I have morphed to watercolor and very important to me, learning to sketch/draw, so I'm viewing everywhere.

I am glad to be part of both your communities. I am praying for you as you go through a hard season. I suggest to keep the Sabbath day to rest and it revives the body and soul! Love you both. Celebrate life and keep creating beauty in all it’s variety. You’re a blessing just as you are. Enjoy you.

Honestly I could watch you paint flowers and trees and landscape over and over again. We are not looking for masterpieces ❤

Hey, I’d love to see your “imperfect” works… you don’t need to show us your perfected paintings Emma. It’s ok, it actually would show us that we are okay taking up to 15 tries to get a pumpkin looking nice🥰. I mean you’re amazing and I watch Kristy too, she’s so free flowing, which brings comfort and confidence too. You women have really helped so many of us pick up a brush again after maybe 20 or more years of not creating. You help us create. You are so stimulating. Just love you. Big hugs and love from a 73 year old. 🤗💖

My fav artists together!! What?!!! And in a rut, just like me! A beginner at that! Have no right to be in a rut yet, but I guess it's possible. Glad you two chatted, did me good.😊

Thank you for being transparent! I feel that as well sometimes too. I’m a baker, went to Culinary School, and people want me to go professional but I bake because I love it. If I turned it into a business I know I’d lose my passion. It’s how I show my love to people.

YES!!! I loved this! Perfect timing too. I loved seeing you both together and it stirred some thoughts for me. Sometimes leaving the paints at home and just soaking in nature and other experiences gives us something to create from. Filling the cup, so to speak, is really important. This time of year, going for my walks, I see so many colors and so many amazing leaves and this inspires me to come home and just fill the pages with leaves. To create, we need to feed our souls! Thanks for starting this series and I am looking forward to trying the graphite today on some leaves!

Thank you so much for being REAL with us! You are lovely and I wish you JOY in your endeavors!

This was wonderful on so many levels. I’m still in the beginning stages of my watercolor journey and NOT progressing to any degree I find acceptable. But when I’m paralyzed to try another painting, I often go to Diane Antonne. Some of her stuff involves painting a very free flowing painted background - an almost stream of consciousness laying down of paint. Then once it dries using paint pens, crayons, markers, gold and silver or white pens and just making marks or designs or animals or flowers all over the background. They are fun and relaxing, especially since there is no goal or end design in mind while working on it. Good luck. What you do is hard and demanding. Hope you find your joy again. Even if it’s only for 15 minutes a day.

Two of my three favorite you tube teachers! You guys are like a dynamic Duo. Is so refreshing to hear y'all say you suffer from the same painting problems as the rest of us. I haven't put brush to paper in a week. My last attempt was ghastly and I got so depressed. Tomorrow is a new day!!

Thank you Emma & Kristy. I loved this. You both are such wonderful women, besides being so talented but you’re human and we all struggle. Yes Emma, please continue the series. What a great idea. 🎨❤️🎨❤️🎨❤️🎨❤️🎨❤️ Oh I meant to say, I bought your book for my granddaughter. It’s so good. She’s really excited 👩‍🎨!

I love your transparency. Please continue to be you. Personally, I really need this honesty.

I think the flowers with the pencil were fun. I am going to do this with some tinted graphite pensils tonight. Thank you both for all the inspiration❤

Enjoyed this video very much. Love seeing artists encouraging each other. Both of your channels for information on product and inspiration. Thanks of sharing .

I love watching Kristy do her thing. So glad you joined up with her. And I love watching you, Emma. Thanks for sharing your struggles. I have some struggles of my own and this presentation was enlightening. Love you both. 🥰

Here to support both channels. We are made to create. Keep creating keep moving forward !!!

Thankyou for making life a litttle brighter♥️

Loved the video. Perfect art therapy for everyone. So refreshing.

Thank you, I love Kristy ❤️

Two WONDERFULLY creative minds at once....what could be better?? 👏👏👏👏❤😁 You guys rock my world and i hope that this is just the beginning of many, many of these inspiring videos!! Can hardly wait to see whats next!

Emma our time together felt like chatting with an old friend… but better because it was over watercolor❤❤❤❤

I loved this conversation and demonstration. Thank you.

I so appreciate this discussion. I am a new artist that discovered the joy and healing that comes from doing art 4 months ago at the age of 67. I felt compelled to do watercolor for the first time, when I was struggling in pain, after hip surgery. I was stunned to find how the joy that came from doing art really impacted my pain and transformed my healing. I decided to start a KZfaq channel to share art for healing and joy and what I was discovering as a brand new "artist" on this journey. I wanted to document it because I knew what I had discovered was authentic and innocent. I purposely didn't want to know too much about color theory or composition because I didn't want to THINK too much about it. I intuitively knew that thinking would lead me down a different path with my art. However, I must admit, now I think about content and KZfaq sort of thoughts and it has shifted some things for me with my art. I'm still so new at all of this. However, I am reflecting today after having spent the entire day yesterday making ugly art and using lots of spendy supplies to do so, that today needs to be about nourishment. When I focus on nourishing my soul, I usually find my joy. I have learned that when I am struggling, nourishing my soul is the prompt and place to start. That can literally mean stepping away from the studio and creating art in my kitchen with food that nourishes my body and soul or stepping outside and capturing the beauty of autumn on my iPhone. Doing what lights me up and noticing what shuts me down is part of my daily art practice now. One thing I told myself when starting my KZfaq channel (I've had one before related to my cookbook and healthy eating) is this time I am only going to make videos when I feel inspired and not let algorithms rule my life. I am not going to pressure myself to come up with something once a week. I also have learned that days of using expensive art supplies and trash bins full of "waste" is part of the process of making art and usually yields some type of movement or breakthrough. Because this, in and of itself, spurs me on to quest for some way to feel better. It feel crummy to make ugly art, for sure, but I know it has a purpose and place in my discovery process. Feeling crummy and wanting to feel better was what led me to finding the joy in art in the first place. This brings me back to asking myself what nourishes me or what is drawing me to bring me to feeling lit up or nourished? If I'm listening and trusting, my intuition knows the way to lead me to joy. Ultimately I see that art is in everything, everywhere and not just in my studio when I am doing art on a substrate. Maybe my art today is taking a walk in nature and moving my body through space. I know if I nourish myself and allow that to light me up then I come back to the studio refreshed with my cup full and set aside the burn out factor that comes from the pressure of having to create to keep up with something external.

This video! Two of my favorite artists. Talking about EXACTLY what I needed to hear!

Gals it's so good to see and hear you both talking about how hard things can get doing the same thing and getting the same results year after year. I had a business selling my greeting cards at flower shops, wedding shops, Vendor Shows, different events. And the beginning of this year I took a look at what I had been doing for 17 years and I did not want to do any more. I shut the door to my studio for a few months and let everyone know I was going to take a break and sit back and rest. So I found water coloring, never did I ever think I would do this, well guess what, I have fallen in love with water coloring. You both have made me happing when I am learning from you both. Can I just say thank you ever so much for teaching me so much about water coloring. I understand your story so much. Emma hang in there, keep talking to Kristy she will help you through some hard days. She's a joy, love her too.

I loved your video on finding the joy in watercolor. I am just a beginner watercolorist but have faced some of the same challenges you and Kristi discussed. Another artist you might want to consider consulting with on this topic is Diane Antone. Through her abstract and doodling watercolor work she has helped me break through some of my artistic ruts and create some lovely pieces that are way outside my comfort zone. I loved Kristi’s idea to repurpose some of these types of creations. I recently used some of my abstract watercolor work to create valentines using heart shaped dies. Please continue this series. I think there are many components to being a watercolorist - not solely the ability to paint!

I love watercolor so much but I just want to mention that the joy really comes from the challenge to be able to paint the things I have learned and to continue learning and improving. I think we will all continue to learn our entire lives. I found a really good art instructor that does online art courses and she is amazing. She has taught me so much along with hundreds of others. I find that as I continue to learn from her my excitement is never ending. I wake up everyday excited and wanting to paint. I would recommend that you find a good artist and take some classes. Push yourself to learn all the things. You will improve and find a purpose that is exciting and fulfilling. Do it for yourself! I haven’t found very many on KZfaq but there are others if you look.

I'm so glad I watched this. After losing my grandson and then my brother within a few months of each other, I not only wasn't improving, but getting worse. And had lost my joy. Trying Kristi's techniques have helped so much! I look forward to each episode!

Thanks for your honesty with this video. Opening shows your true personality. And that you're real and not in some Happy Land. I too sometimes have blocks so this tutorial video with Kristy (who I never saw before) Greatness on both of your art techniques and talents.

Dear Emma, what a wonderful, liberating and instructive video that was. Thank you. 💕

So good to hear real emotions, friends mean so much.

This is beyond my expectations helpful. How did you know I have been in such a lockdown loss of creativity with everything going on. This is immensely insightful and I’m so appreciative for your openness and rawness Emma. Please continue this conversation as you re group and anyone else as well🌺🌻🌹

Loved this! Very timely for me since I haven’t painted for months. Thanks.

I believe we all go through cycles where our passions and creativity may become muted for awhile before they rev back up in our lives. Sometimes, our passions may reassert themselves stronger than before, changing in a different direction, or return subtly and slowly. I believe it simply a part of life cycling in and out telling us to slow down, look around at the beautiful world, concentrate on other things for a bit and simply rest. Your creativity and passion will return! Just give yourself some time and let life flow.

Absolutely spot on about our art stations around my home. I have a rolling table next to my bed. It has travel supplies on it, and everything is ready for any minute when I am inspired to try something I’m watching on KZfaq. You are divinely creative. You were divinely created by the divine Creator. There are no rules on how to use your gift except to remember it is a gift. You get to choose. Even as a KZfaq teacher, you can do the things that make you happy. Why waste that time?

I love that you shared that you don't get it right on the first try and that you've painted something 7 times and cursed at it. Watching KZfaq artists can make you feel so untalented sometimes because you can't do what they do. We don't ever see behind the scenes and how long it took you to get it right. I would love to see that struggle. It might help me to feel better about not getting it right on the first try. ❤

This was an amazing video. So many people struggle with this and it’s nice that you are willing to openly talk about it. I just want you to know that I really enjoy your tutorials. You are a wonderful teacher and I can’t imagine the stress you must be under with running a you tube channel among the other things you have going on. Just remember that you are wonderful just the way you are. We are not looking for perfectionism in your artwork. We are looking to have a good time and paint along with you. You are enough. Try and not get hung up on likes and views. You have a loyal following that adore you. Use up that paper front and back. Throw paint on paper and see what happens. I’m praying you will find that joy again soon Emma. 💕

Thank you for your honesty and sharing with us what you are going through. I haven't picked up a brush since before last Christmas, but recently have dragged my sketching supplies into the lounge room in front of the TV where I have been doing a lot of drawing. I feel within myself it's a step back to th brush. The idea of using mixed media sounds really awesome and I hopefully will get into that You are a wonderful teacher Emma and you will find a way through this

Sometimes art can almost take over everything. Fear of not getting a drawing perfect, the right colors or just not ending up like you wanted or thought it should be and then frustration takes over!!! Then I just leave it for a time and then look back at after a time. We can be too hard on our selves and that can make things seem much worse than they actually are. Time away can Make things better👍♥️