Hello there, I am Jillian
I am a dreamer of possibilities, a curious creator and a mother.
I never thought that one day, I would trade my 9 to 5 job as a psychologist to become a ‘naptime painter’, and marrying my 2 passions together to curate a space for you to gain clarity in the chaos of watercolor.
I believe that you don’t need creative to take up painting - You just need a lot of curiosity and a pinch of courage.
WHAT I DO
I want to give you a space to embrace the mess and magic of watercolor. This can happen when making art.
The world we grow up and live in is not very tolerant of messes. Mess comes in all forms and often - we feel the need to clean it up. This makes trying new things tricky as we fear change and messing up.
Allow me to reframe this perspective for you - messes also help us to grow and learn. It takes us away from our comfort zone into our hidden potential.
Let me simplify and break down the steps in watercolor to help you go from feeling discouraged, frustrated and making little progress - to gaining trust and clarity in the process.
You may have doubts that you will never be as good as me or anyone. This is where I will help you hold those thoughts and re-discover how to be YOU. I want to show you the magic of letting go and be comfortable with yourself as you create. I encourage you to allow yourself to practice and have fun without the pressure of perfection.
HOW I GOT STARTED
I was a perpetual doodler and day dreamer as a child - then life happened.
I was pushed to get the grades, get the certifications, get the education, get the social life, get the job and promotion, get married - an unending list to tick off.
If I watch my life as a movie under my 30s, it would be in hyper-lapse.
I could not keep up. I had to break away from this invisible ‘race’. I wanted to define myself based on what I loved doing. Deep inside, I wanted to create.
I am a journeying ‘self-taught’ watercolour artist. My early beginnings were in brush lettering. This entire journey started on the day my best friend took time off work. We walked by an art store after our meal and decided - let’s grab some sketch books, pencils and go doodle at a botanical conservatory.
This rekindled my love for doodling and gave me the opportunity to revisit my inner child. My journey is still a work in progress filled with discovery and wonder.
WHERE AM I NOW
My 24/7 job is a mother - and I think in watercolour. My 4 year old would tell you that “my mummy is a painter”.
Painting is a space that I have carved out for myself in the busyness of motherhood. How busy? - 3 kids under 5 busy. Specifically, painting flowers reminds me of how brief seasons are - just as how each season in motherhood is fleeting.
Motherhood has changed the way I paint.
Before I had kids, I did not have direction for what I wanted for my art - I was looking for how to paint things with specific steps. I watched countless videos that were too advanced for me (and only realised on hindsight). I was impatient with myself and the process. I just wanted results.
After having kids - I became decisive, expanded my threshold for mess and gave myself more kindness in this creative journey.
With every journey - it can get messy. Between you and me, I have struggled with self-doubt, fears, and wondering if I am doing the right thing. Questioning if I am wasting my time. I have been weary and frustrated with the process.
This was a part of me - my inner critic.
And I call her “Perfect Nancy”.
Perfect Nancy always turned up when I was painting. Some days, it felt hard to switch her off. Each painting has a different story and often the story is not just what you see on paper - it is the internal conversation I have with “Perfect Nancy”. I know that she is there to detect threats - making messes and trying new things can feel like threats. Perfect Nancy wants me to stay in my comfort zone - where everything is in order and feels familiar.
Here’s the thing - Art is not always a comfort zone - what you envision in your mind may not translate on paper. Your brush may not work the way you want. Your ‘Perfect Nancy” might come in and make you question everything you do.
In every practice before I begin I acknowledge “Perfect Nancy” and her job.
I choose to not give her power. I name her because I want to keep her separate from me. The transformation is when I decide to embrace mess and curiosity over criticism.
Watercolor gave me the gift of embracing the unexpected and growing from the messes. There is no 'one way' in creating art- the boundaries are limitless.
I want to welcome you into my world as we explore all the processes and possibilities that will work for you.
Want to learn more about watercolor?
Check out some of my free resources to get started!
