The First Painting That Changed My Life

I still remember the moment I picked up a paintbrush and dipped it into that light, watercolour paint. It wasn’t just color on a canvas — it was emotion, healing, and freedom bottled up in a single moment.

At the time, I wasn’t painting to sell or to share online. I was simply trying to find myself again. Life felt heavy, and I was searching for something that made me feel alive. That first painting wasn’t perfect — the colors bled, the shapes were awkward — but something inside me shifted. I created something. And that something sparked a fire I didn’t know I had. Watercolouring is the hardest medium to start as an artist.

As I layered each brushstroke, I felt like I was peeling back the weight I’d been carrying for years. It was raw, real, and mine. That painting didn’t just hang on my wall — it reminded me that art can be therapy, even if you’ve never painted before. And with deep seated creatives we need to release that feeling within and for some of us painting is the tool while for others it maybe gardening, sculpting, woodwork etc.

Today, my watercolour art is more than just a creative outlet. It’s a reflection of my journey, my healing, and my voice. That first painting taught me that imperfection is powerful — and beauty often blooms when we least expect it. Always remember beauty is in the hand of the beholder.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or unsure of what’s next, I hope this inspires you to try something creative — even messy. You never know what masterpiece might be waiting inside you.