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by | Aug 8, 2016 | All Things Home, crafts, Tutorials | 23 comments

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I have been in good old hot and humid Atlanta, GA for the Haven Home Blogger’s Conference over the past few days.  I have a full schedule, but I find these conferences are always a good opportunity to learn and to allow others to build into me.  Sometimes we get too busy to do that, don’t we?  We just go, go, go and forget that we need to stop, sit in the student chair, and be the recipient.

There were so many great classes that were offered, but the one I was most excited about taking was a watercolor class from Lucy of Craftberry Bush.  As you know, I’ve been more into painting lately, but I’ve always worked with acrylics.  I haven’t worked with watercolors since I was a kid.  I’ve been wanting to branch out to other art mediums, though, and this was a great opportunity for me to learn from someone who is so naturally gifted.

And honestly, a brush and some paint are like therapy.  Forget chicken soup.  My soul needs paint.

Once I started, I was lost in it.

I’m sure I looked very intense to other workshop participants at my table, but I was into it!

As Lucy was introducing watercolors she said, “If you’re a perfectionist who wants the paint to stay right where you put it and you’re not flexible, watercolor isn’t for you.”

That immediately endeared the paint to me, because it sounds a little bit like another paint that is near and dear to my heart.  I never thought of watercolors and milk paint as kindred spirits, but they really are.

I have a lot of playing and experimenting to do, but I am already totally in love with watercolor and am excited, almost giddy, at all of the creative possibilities.

When I was at lunch one of the days at the conference, a girl across the table from me said, “Oh, I bet you don’t go to any of the classes, because you already know it all!”

“No, not at all!”

  There will always be ways I can grow and improve.  There is always, always, always something new to learn.

Always.

So, never stop.

What have you learned lately?

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    23 Comments

    1. Ruth in NZ

      My problem is that there are so many things I want to learn and develop that I never actually do any of them and just sit around reading and wishing. One of my most fulfilling achievements was learning to make a slipcover from your video series and actually sewing a two seater and 2 one seater covers for a set we had. I was so sorry when the springs went and we had to get rid of the couches…the slipcovers were still going strong. 🙂

    2. Amy Jo

      Amen!

    3. Samantha

      Hi Marian!

      Thank you for such a touching opening to the Haven Conference. I really enjoyed listening to you and Shaunna…and you reminded my why I started blogging in the first place. You set that reflective mood for me for the rest of the conference and with each session I listened thinking about how this was going to affect my future blogging / connection to readers….not “how can I make my blog better” in general. It really comes down to our connection with our readers / our creativity and that is why we started!

      Thank you! I’m now following your blog too!

      xx,
      Samantha
      Simply Organized

    4. Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors

      I loved your post this morning! We can always learn new things. I have just started an interior design business and a home decor blog. It was something that I always wanted to do, and I am having a great time and learning a lot along the way. I heard about the Haven Conference, but my schedule didn’t allow me to attend this year. I’m hoping that maybe next year I can attend! Thanks for your wonderful blog. I always look forward to reading it!

    5. Wendy from oldlakegeorge.com

      Good Morning!
      I sat with Kristie on Sunday at the table by the elevators. What I learned is that you are very blessed to have her in your life. She is a genuine, lovely soul.
      Thanks Kristie for the wonderful conversation.

    6. Melissa Mundy

      I love your water colors. I can’t wait to see them in conjunction with milk paint ! I am getting ready to start my first milk paint project-the blackboard I bought at your seminar! Fingers crossed.

    7. Dawn Tidd

      Inspiring message and really just what my doctor ordered, keep learning new things! I have taken up quilting this year and love it! Lots of plans in my mind and I don’t want to become a collector of supplies, I want to be a maker. Next up, Bible journaling. 🙂

    8. Vicki

      Wow what are those beautiful watercolors called!

    9. Kathleen Harris

      Yes, I think the previous comment is asking what I want to know, too! Can you let us know, please, what specific watercolor set is in the photo? YOU have a natural talent, too! I always think of “Grandma Moses” who started painting late in life and became famous. That probably really dates me as maybe readers wouldn’t know who I’m speaking of. Love what you showed us here and I’m inspired to get going on my own instead of being a collector of supplies as Dawn commented.?

      • marian

        It was a palette we used in the class and they gave us as “swag” to take home. It was just an inexpensive palette, but it doesn’t have a tag. Sorry!

    10. Laura @ The Turquoise Home

      You and Lucy have a gift!! I was in that class with you lovely ladies and my watercolor turned out like maybe a kindergartener did it. LOL I’m teasing. It wasn’t that bad, but it’s obvious that you have a beautiful talent that you graciously share with us!! Great to hear you at Haven. 🙂

      Laura @ The Turquoise Home

    11. Michelle

      I went to a girl’s night out paint class and loved it! Totally different from painting furniture and things!

    12. Debbie

      Beautiful! Love Lucy and you – y’all are such an inspiration!

    13. Rita C at Panoply

      I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the Haven class on watercolor painting. Lucy is talented, indeed. I need to really encourage my sister to get back into painting. She really wants to. In the meantime, maybe your milk paints are the next best thing (she’s used those for more than a few projects in our little antiquing business). 🙂

    14. Naomi S.

      Good for you, Marian! For your courage in trying something new! And you do have a talent, girl. I think it’s always good for us to be willing to branch out into new areas of learning. Keeps the brain in shape. I’ve done very little experimenting with water-colors and find them quite hard to control. So I don’t think that’s where my talent lies, but perhaps I just need a good instructor and practice. I always love the look of watercolor paintings. They have a rather ephemeral feel to me.

      I hope we will see more of your watercolor work as you explore it more.

    15. Sari

      Great advice about learning, Marian! At church on Sunday, Pastor Rick Warren said in his message that leaders never stop learning; He then encouraged the congregation to learn a new skill this year. Thanks for continuing to inspire your readers! 🙂

    16. Deb Landy

      Beautiful heartfelt post and paintings. Love them all

    17. Cheryl

      Beautiful❤️, my understanding is that water color is more challenging medium to work with. Looks like you flowed right into it?.
      I find learning is what makes life so interesting and fun??

    18. SusanIrene

      As a retired college professor who is constantly curious and learning, these comments come to mind….
      I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt

      It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts. ~Attributed to Harry S Truman

    19. michelle morris

      Marian, I teach watercolor and you will LOVE it. Don’t let mastery of it be the sole goal, part of its charm is that it has a life of its own, not unlike milk paint!! I love what you did-you look like you took to it right away. If you ever have any problems or questions just shoot me an email.

    20. Susan Goins

      Did you free hand the wreath and then paint?

    21. Amy

      I too, dabble in watercolor. It stretches me artistically and helps me to see “outside the box.” So glad you were able to find some time to get lost in that!

    22. Sharon Bates

      I have admired Lucy’s talent and work for years! You two are a great match. 🙂
      How about you entice her to come a do a workshop with you at your studio?!! I would sign up for that in a heartbeat. I enjoyed the gathering there last year and keep a hopeful eye out for more.

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