I have some thoughts to share … I call this “My Brain on Paper …”

After many years of creating artwork, I’ve learned a thing or two along the way. What follows are some thoughts I hope will encourage you—especially during those moments when you’re second-guessing yourself and your creative abilities. Keep pressing on through the process, and whatever you do, don’t give up.

My creative process is actually quite simple. When I follow it, the experience can range from “I could do this in my sleep” to “What was I thinking?!” Even so, the steps remain the same. Creating requires energy, commitment, time, and a healthy dose of out-of-the-box imagination. Oh—and let’s not forget frustration. Womp womp.

The “stuck parts” are the worst—and trust me, I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. They’re hard, uncomfortable, and discouraging… but they’re also the most rewarding. Those stuck moments often lead to the best aha! breakthroughs. So don’t give up. When you feel stuck, look back at what’s worked for me—and start discovering your own “how to get unstuck” moments too.

Your time and energy are valuable—more valuable than any piece of paper or paint on a canvas. As creative explorers, we often want to rush straight to the good stuff without putting in the time to study, prepare, and practice. We want a masterpiece every time—and I’m here to tell you, that just doesn’t happen. In fact, many of the “mistakes” I’ve made during the learning and prep stages have played a huge role in my success. Don’t skip the steps.

Some days, no matter how skilled you are, the creative juices just don’t show up to the party. When that happens—leave the party. Walk away. Read a good book. Listen to music. Go play. I promise, they’ll come back. I call these my “hot mess” days—when nothing turns out the way I want it to. Don’t waste your energy fighting it. Be intentional with your time and how you use it.

And finally—hit the rewind button. As frustrating as it is, sometimes the best solution is to take a few steps back. Go back to studying and preparing. Then practice again. Tomorrow is a new day. Maybe you drew a bear that looks like a sloth—so what! Grab your sketchbook, find a comfy spot, and try again. You’ve got this. Just keep practicing.

Let it go! Toss it—but only if you absolutely hate it. Otherwise, tuck it away. One day, when the mood is right, pull it back out and try again. That moment might come tomorrow, next week, or even months later—but trust me, it’s always worth giving it another chance.

Walk away. Be willing to step back and return to a piece later. I’ve started artwork that I didn’t touch again for one or two months. Then—bam!—the aha! moment hits. Suddenly I can see what I like, what I don’t, and what needs to change. Woohoo! The piece comes together simply because I gave myself space.

And last—but definitely not least—HAVE FUN! Art isn’t worth your time or energy if you’re not enjoying the process. Not every piece will be a masterpiece, but I promise you’ll learn from every single one. Those so-called “mistakes”? They often turn into your greatest accomplishments. Enjoy the learning. Enjoy the process. And most of all, stay true to your process, your growth, and your artwork.

Study. Before I begin developing a piece, I always spend a little time studying and researching. I know—you’re thinking, Study? Are you serious? Yep! I usually start with a quick visual search online, revisit artists who have inspired me, both past and present, and a quick glance at Pintrest. The key is not getting stuck in the searching. This step is simply a visual warm-up—tiny bits your brain collects before you begin practicing. I limit this time to 10 minutes or less because I want most of my energy going into creating.

Beyond web searches and my own stash of creative inspiration, I often head to the local library. Sometimes I find an art book, sometimes a beautifully illustrated children’s book, and occasionally I hit the jackpot with a video demonstrating a technique I’ve been wanting to learn. I’m careful to bring home only what truly inspires me—because let’s be honest, I could walk out with the entire library! Be choosy. Let inspiration serve your creativity, not overwhelm it.

Prepare — to be amazed!
Prepping isn’t just about gathering supplies. It’s about thinking through what you truly need to create a strong piece of artwork. It’s your mindset, the time you can devote to studying, practicing, and creating—and giving yourself grace along the way.

Learning something new can be hard. Be kind to yourself. If you’ve had a rough day, it might not be the best time to tackle a brand-new technique. Instead, pull out the materials you discovered during your study time, relax, and look through them again. When you do have the time and energy, dive in and start learning. Play with paint. Try that new pencil. Experiment with a technique you’ve been curious about. Whatever it is, give it your time, stay focused, and practice.

And about those supplies—ohhh, all the supplies! Don’t feel like you need everything before you begin. Chances are, you won’t use every item you think you need. For now, work with what you have until you’re absolutely sure what belongs in your creative toolbox.

Practice—a lot!
You truly can’t practice enough. Practice makes perfect—it’s true! I’m often asked, “How do I get to the fun stuff?” The answer is simple: the colorful, imaginative magic comes after many hours of practice. So stick with it! Before you know it, you’ll have sketchbooks and journals filled with all kinds of creative goodness. Woot woot!

Handouts!
Did I mention handouts? Yep—each lesson includes handouts packed with ways to practice what we’re creating together. They’re yours to keep as reference guides, both during the course and long after. Whether you need a little inspiration or a bit of guidance while you’re creating on your own, these handouts will be right there when you need them. Throughout this course, you’ll work on many projects—giving you plenty of opportunities to explore, experiment, and play. As you do, keep the PDF Handouts close at hand so you can refer back to it and make the most of all the creative possibilities waiting for you.