Just thoughts

Two friends were once observing a beautiful watercolor painting at the art gallery. "Look," one said to the other. "It only took a few minutes for the artist to create this piece, so why does it cost so much?" "You are right," replied the second friend. "Only a few minutes... but the other thing is also true, that it took him his whole life to create this piece. The more effortless it looks, the more hard work is behind it."

That's not an apologue, but a true story from life:) Just was thinking about what I appreciate most in watercolor paintings. Personally, the subject doesn't really matter. What truly earns my respect is effortlessness. How would one see that in a painting? I believe the key is constantly training your eye. And the best way to accomplish that is by observing the work of masters, analyzing and comparing art pieces and styles. Not only does it develop your vision (and you'll be amazed how much it can evolve!), it also aids your mind in creating internal representation of your own future work.

I do this a lot and my personal favorite masters are:

•  Liu Yi. Incredible, fantastic, out of this world technique!
•  John Yardley. Love his atmospheric watercolors, full of light and life. I especially adore his ability to simplify complex scenes into shapes of color.

Feel free to continue this list and share your favorite watercolorists in the comment section.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

Valentines Cards

The upcoming Valentine's Day is a perfect time for painting dreamy desserts. These hand painted greeting cards would make a special gift for a special person in your life. Moreover, they can be framed to remind daily of wonderful moments spent together.
You can find these cards on my Etsy shop. I wish all of you to love and to be loved!

Watercolor Lantern

A little bit more of Winter Wonderland :)

Winter dreams

Dear Universe,

Please get me to a cozy cabin in the snowy alpine forest. I will put on a fair isle sweater and arrange outdoor lanterns for a dreamy look. I will play with snow like a child, taking cute pictures for my Instagram at the same time, and maybe even make a snowman. After that I'll surely go for some skating (did I mention there have to be a beautifully illuminated skating rink next to the cabin?). And when the late evening comes, it will be nice to sit back by the fireplace with a sketchbook and a mug of steaming hot chocolate, watching snow fall (don't forget the snowfall, it's important) and painting some winter scenes.

Next morning I might want a good ride downhill. FYI, I've never tried snowboarding, only skiing. As you can imagine, it would be a great chance to finally fill in this gap and step on the board. So get me one, too.

Thank you in advance, Universe, I promise to be a good girl:)
Sincerely yours, me.

Happy Holidays!

Dear friends, today I was thinking how blessed I am having the opportunity to express myself in art and to share my work with you. Whatever sources of inspiration I've ever had, the truth is: it's your kind words that inspire me most and keep me going. And your attention is the biggest reward for my efforts. When I see your visits on my blog from all over the world, it brightens up my day and fills my heart with warmth. Also, glad to have you following me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. I'm amazed at how much credit you give me, and that's what motivates me to improve my skills.

So I'm saying a huge thanks to each of you, and wishing you always be happy and healthy. Have a very joyful holiday season!

Craving for snow

Unbelievable how fast time is flying by! It's winter already and I'm trying my best to feel the holiday season vibe (which personally is so not easy to do when living in a snowless place). Having been raised in the continental part of Russia, I crave for snow every year when the jingle bells start to ring. That being said, here's my top three to boost the holiday mood:

1. Watch "snowy" movies.
2. Go to Pinterest - an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
3. Last, but not least: if you can't have it, paint it!

When I was little, my grandfather would hang self-made bird feeders in front of the kitchen window. The winters were cold so those feeders would get pretty busy. Watching birds kept me entertained for hours, especially when beautiful bullfinches were coming over. They were my very favorite.



Another cute bird that reminds me of snow is Cardinal, which is more common in the US.



Both of these paintings are available on my Etsy shop. It's time to stock up on Christmas gifts! Consider giving original bird art this holiday season!

The Big Fall Post

Each year, as sweet autumn days go by, I feel like capturing all their beautiful moments in painting. As usual, most of my inspiration comes from what is around me, especially when the weather is so nice for hanging outside and collecting ideas.



The autumn sun bathes everything with a golden glow, and every single blade of grass seems a perfect creature. Take a look at this dog rose, for example. Don't you think it's begging to be painted?



Of course it is! I painted this 10''x8'' watercolor on Arches paper, using my special fall collection of colors. Although I usually prefer a limited palette, this time I couldn't help but use all 18 of them:) The painting was started wet on wet, in order for colors to blend, then some details were added as the paper was drying out.


My autumn palette includes warm reds, deep blues and natural, earthy browns. In case you wonder, here's the list:





Speaking of colors, here is another thing that brightens the season. Everything gets a cute pumpkin makeover this time of year:) What else pops into my head when I think about fall, is cinnamon gingerbread latte, woolen sweaters, warm apple cider, the aroma of freshly baked goodies, morning mists, rustling of leaves under the feet, dining with candles... Wouldn't it be wonderful to paint all of these and convey all those feelings?

And what are your favorite little things to enjoy in fall?