At the beginning of class I decided I was going to go back to my familiar roots with watercolour painting. I have been painting with acrylic for some time now and have enjoyed the ability to layer and cover any unpleasing “mistakes” however, I like the challenges and unforgiving manner of watercolour paint. These challenges help me slow down, take my time and accept that not everything is going to be perfect and to accept those “Happy Accidents” – Bob Ross. The transparency with watercolour allows me to layer and there is an option with the opaqueness from the gouache (although I have rarely used it). I was told that once I see the work of Steve Hanks I would be discouraged and never want to try painting in watercolour however, I was completely drawn in. I have only ever known floral and landscapes painted in watercolour paint, never people. I was inspired by Steve Hanks watercolour art. I also love the roughing that some watercolour artists put in their work. Watercolour paint reminds me of innocence; a child first learns to paint with (usually) watercolour paint, then painting with acrylic where you learn that you can layer the paint, and eventually move onto oil paint where you can get to play with more of a textured look.

After going over my idea for this series piece it slowly transformed to the basic comfort of watercolour paint and as I keep going back to the mess of my paint pallets; my watercolour pallet usually empty and messy, my acrylic paint pallet messy and my oil paint pallet I tried to keep nice and clean as I loved the look of the paint seeping into the wood grain pallet it sat on and permanently became part of the wood grain pattern. All of these items in their own state of importance and organization.

So for my series, I have decided to paint my paint pallets of watercolour, acrylic and oil paint. My goal is to accomplish the appearance of every medium, all painted in watercolour. Although with the watercolour panel I did add three extra small paint spots at the side near the thumb hole, as I always felt that I was three spots short and left frustrated and doubling up others spots. This was necessary for my own minds organization. The oil paint pallet I painted as I remembered it looked like the first time I used it. Painting with watercolour paint gives me patience and accepting of my imperfections. Learning this has taught me that I am not perfect and I can accept that, as well as I have the opportunity to grow not only with my art, myself but with others and their ideas.