Here is a quick secret: You do not need to be born with an “art gene” to make something stunning. So many people hold themselves back because they think art requires some mythical, innate talent. But the truth? Art is just a skill, like driving, cooking, or riding a bike. You can learn it, play with it, and get better at it every single time you try!
And if you’re looking for the absolute best way to dive into the creative world? Say hello to watercolor painting. Watercolor was my very first “real” art medium, and years later, it’s still the one that has my heart. It’s light, vibrant, and surprisingly forgiving!
4 Things and You’re In
I know, I know, buying art supplies is undeniably fun. But you don’t need a giant studio or a massive budget to get started with watercolor. In fact, you can create breathtaking paintings with just four basic items:
- A watercolor set with a built-in mixing palette
- A pad of watercolor paper
- A water brush (A game-changer! The water lives right inside the brush handle, just give it a gentle squeeze, and you’re good to go!)
- A simple paper towel
Pro Tip: Whenever I head out for a day of travel sketching, this tiny kit is all I pack. It fits inside my small purse! (Okay, full disclosure: I also slide in a black Micron pen and a white gel pen for extra pops of detail, but it still takes up almost zero space!)
Fast, Mess-Free, and Made for Experimenting
One of the biggest reasons I am obsessed with watercolor? It moves at the speed of life.
- Fast Setup: Open your palette, squeeze your brush, and you’re painting.
- Fast Drying: No waiting around for days for paint to dry. In just a few minutes, you’re ready for your next layer, or an entirely new piece!
- Fast Cleanup: Just squeeze fresh water through your brush, wipe it on your paper towel, wipe your palette, and close the kit. Done in 30 seconds!
Because it’s so fast and low-maintenance, you end up experimenting more, playing more, and learning faster. Every easy watercolor painting is a leap forward in your artistic journey.
Unplug and Breathe: The Relaxing Magic of the Mountains
Now that I am done talking about how watercolor painting can be fast and snappy, let me remind you that it is also your ultimate invitation to slow way down.
Making art isn’t just a fun hobby—it is genuinely good for your mind and body. When you focus on the movement of water, the blend of pigments, and the stroke of a brush, your brain shifts into a state of “creative flow.” It’s a meditative, deeply mindful practice that melts away anxiety and grounds you completely in the present moment.
So many visitors come up to our gorgeous mountain escape to disconnect, recharge, and escape the constant buzz of computer screens and notifications. But let’s be real: when you’ve been running on high alert for months, simply “sitting still” can feel surprisingly hard. Without a relaxing creative activity to fill those quiet moments, it is way too easy to slip right back into old habits—scrolling social media, checking work emails, or mindlessly flipping on the TV.
Whether you bring your travel watercolor kit out onto the porch or spend an afternoon learning with us in class, painting in the mountains gives you permission to slow your pulse, take a deep breath, and truly arrive.
Capturing the Beauty of the Blue Ridge
Our corner of the Blue Ridge Mountains is pure, unfiltered magic. Nestled high in western North Carolina on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau, this landscape feels like it was painted by nature specifically to inspire artists.
Every direction you look offers a masterpiece waiting to be captured:
Shimmering Mountain Lakes: Lake Glenville, sitting over 3,500 feet above sea level with its 26 miles of forested shoreline, reflects the brilliant mountain sky like a giant mirror. Painting the subtle shift of blues and turquoises in the water as the light changes is one of the most rewarding challenges you can take on.
Cascading Waterfalls: The Cashiers- Highlands Plateau is world-famous for its dramatic cascades. From the thunderous roar of High Falls just below the Lake Glenville dam to the tranquil beauty of Silver Run Falls, water brings movement and life to your nature watercolor painting.
Vast Vistas & Ancient Peaks: Standing on a high ridge looking out over endless rolling blue hills, like the ancient granite face of Whiteside Mountain, gives you a sense of grandeur that photos simply fail to grasp.
Create Souvenirs That Actually Mean Something
Think about your past vacations. How often do you come home with:
- A camera roll full of 500 photos you rarely look at again?
- A mass-produced trinket that was actually made thousands of miles away?
For years, I did the exact same thing, and I always wished I had something deeper to connect me to those memories.
When I started watercolor painting, everything changed. Capturing a view with watercolors forces you to really see it, the light, the colors, the air. Years later, when I look at one of my mountain sketches, I’m instantly transported right back to that exact rock, feeling the cool mist of the waterfall all over again.
Ready to Paint Your Own Mountain Memory?
I started teaching watercolor painting classes because I wanted you to experience that exact same magic. I want you to head home from vacation not just with photos, but with a piece of art you created with your own hands!
If the idea of setting up a palette on your own still feels a little daunting, that is where taking a class comes in! Vacation is meant for resting—not stressing over what supplies to buy or worrying about “doing it wrong.” Stepping into a warm, beginner-friendly watercolor painting class removes all the friction.
If you feel intimidated or don’t know where to start, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered:
- Zero Stress: All materials are provided. Just bring your enthusiasm!
- Beginner-Friendly Guidance: I’ll walk you through the basics step-by-step so you feel totally confident.
- A One-of-a-Kind Souvenir: You will complete a finished painting in class to take home and remind you of you trip!
Come join us, unlock your inner artist, and take a piece of the Blue Ridge Mountains home with you!
