Today, we’re delighted to shine the spotlight on @mamapandapainter, a watercolor artist, educator, and author who makes creativity feel warm, approachable, and full of joy.
From charming DIY cards to beginner-friendly watercolor tutorials, her work inspires artists of all levels to slow down, pick up a brush, and turn simple ideas into something meaningful. You can also explore more of her creative world through her personal website, mamapandapainter.com. 🎨✨
-
Tell us a bit about yourself and your artistic journey. And when did you start focusing on your signature watercolor style?
I found watercolor during a really hard season in my life when I was sick and mostly bedridden for a few years. Painting became something that helped me feel calm again. It gave me a sense of purpose during a time when I honestly felt like I was left behind while the world kept going.
As I slowly got better, I kept coming back to watercolor. I didn’t try to find a style, it just kind of happened over time. I stopped trying to make everything perfect and started focusing more on how it felt to paint.
I love making simple, heartwarming paintings that feel a little sweet and whimsical, and sometimes adding little words to them. I also really enjoy turning them into cards. Even something small like thinking of you can really lift someone up. When I was sick, those kinds of messages meant everything to me. It reminded me I wasn’t alone.
I also have a website, mamapandapainter.com, where I’ll be sharing more of my work. I have a book coming out called DIY Watercolor Cards. It’s about helping people feel confident making meaningful cards, even if they are just starting.
-
Where do your ideas usually come from? Daily life, seasons, faith, or something else?
Honestly my ideas come from everywhere. Daily life, the seasons, my faith, just little things I notice.
After going through that season of being sick, I feel like I see things differently now. Even ordinary moments feel a little more special now. A sprig of leaves, a flower starting to bloom, or even just a warm cup of tea.
I’m also a bit of a dreamer. I’m drawn to art that feels like it tells a story or captures a feeling. I find myself connecting what I see with what I’m feeling, and then trying to express that in my paintings.
I think a lot of what I make just comes from wanting to share something hopeful. Just something simple and heartwarming that might encourage someone, even in a small way.
-
When you’re not making art, what are you into, and does any of that show up in your work?
When I’m not painting, I really enjoy being outside and moving. After being bedridden for so long, I don’t take that for granted anymore. I love playing tennis and pickleball, just being out in the sun, simple things like that.
Lately I’ve also been having fun designing and making things with my laser, and exploring different ways to turn my art into something more. I just enjoy trying new things and seeing what I can make with my hands.
I’m also someone who really loves learning. I’m always curious. Sometimes I feel like time is short, so I want to learn as much as I can while I’m here. I think that curiosity shows up in my work in a quiet way. I’m always exploring, even in small ways.
-
What do you think makes watercolor feel unique compared with other mediums?
Watercolor just feels light and playful. There’s a transparency to it that makes everything glow in a soft way. Sometimes it almost feels like it’s floating on the page. I also feel like I’m always learning from it.
There’s something special about watching the paint move in water, the way it blooms and spreads. It still surprises me.
I love that you don’t need much to start. Just paper, a brush, and some paint. It makes it feel really approachable.
And it can be loose and quick, or you can slow down and add more detail. I think that balance is what makes it so special.
-
What is one common mistake you see beginners make with watercolor, and how can they improve it?
One of the biggest mistakes I see is trying to control everything and make it perfect.
Watercolor really doesn’t work that way. It usually looks better when you let go a little. I always encourage people to leave some white space and not overwork it. Sometimes stopping earlier actually makes it look better.
I notice this in my own painting too. When I try too hard to make something perfect, it usually doesn’t turn out the way I want. And when I relax a little, it somehow works better.
I also think people can be really hard on themselves. They tell themselves, “I can’t do this,” before they’ve even given it time.
I still do that sometimes. I get frustrated. But I remind myself that it takes time to grow.
So I always encourage people to be patient with themselves and just keep going. It really does come together over time.
-
For someone who wants to build confidence in watercolor, what kind of practice would you recommend starting with?
Start really simple. Practice a few simple brush strokes, play with water, and just see how the paint moves. Try working with light and dark.
You don’t have to jump into a full painting right away. Small things like leaves or simple flowers can help a lot. I also always suggest painting small first. It’s easier to manage and feels less overwhelming than starting big.
And honestly, you’re probably not going to get it right the first time. Most of the time you won’t, and that’s okay. I still don’t, most of the time. You just keep trying until you get a version you like.
It’s also okay to take breaks. You don’t have to follow strict rules like painting every single day. Paint when you can, wherever you can, as much as you can.
The most important thing is just to keep painting and not worry about making something perfect. Like Neil Gaiman said, the world feels a little brighter when you’ve made something that wasn’t there before.
