Emily - You are now even MORE of an inspiration! Your work is amazing and has guided me to the most successful therapy I know: ART! Your self-portrait is breathtaking! Thank you!
I found you through the interview with Steve. I immediately watched a few of your videos and subscribed. Watched a few more, and signed up for the Watercolor Mastery course. Your instruction is so clear and easy to understand. I am grateful you kept pushing forward! When I was in high school, I wrote an essay in my creative writing course that I was especially proud of. When it was returned to me, it had a giant F on it, and written across the page were the words “Plagiarism is against the law.” I had definitely written the entire essay myself on a topic I knew very well-a horse show. I asked the teacher why she thought I plagiarized it, and she responded that I couldn’t possibly have written it. She refused to change my grade. I was absolutely crushed. That was 46 years ago now, and I think about it regularly-as I perform my job as a writer/editor for a Fortune 100 company. So keep up the good work, and NEVER let those haters get the best of you. Just keep doing your thing. Maybe you’ll remember some of their names as you laugh your way to the bank!
Aw thank you for checking out my channel and for becoming a member! I truly hope you LOVE the projects! What a great story about your writing--truly inspiring!!
Oh, Emily, this is Barbara Gross, and I just loved hearing your story! As I watch and learn from your inspiring and wonderful videos, I have advanced to the point where I love to look at my finished paintings and marvel how far I have come, where before I would just paint simple flowers and objects and thought I could not do more. And as I watch you, I have been wondering about your life and if you had children and a husband and how you started your career. Now I know! Your children are so cute and I admire your husband for supporting you and letting you go after your passion. That is a beautiful self portrait of you! Thank you so much for sharing your life and dreams. I have a greater respect for you and will continue to enjoy your channel.
Barbara, thanks for watching and for your nice comment! I am so thrilled you are learning so much and gaining joy from painting! That's my hope for every WM member!
I’m a new student on watercolor mastery and find your teaching style fits my learning style perfectly. I appreciate your genuine approach and thank you for putting this out there. I’m so happy you have found this path.
Hello, your interview with Steve Mitchell helped me understand why I appreciate your content so much. Because not all great artist are great teacher. The fact that you've been a piano teacher makes sense. You've confronted yourself to teaching for years, and it shows in you tutorial. And your "Mom" energy is a huge help. I'm 38 year old man, I know your are not my real momy 😂. But I really do feel that generous energy and that boost of confidence trough your tutorials. Thank you for helping me reaching my watercolor goals.
You are the 1st artist I signed up with. You took the frustration out of watercolors for me. So glad your journey has been a blessing for your family. You have been a blessing for so very many! Now I get to bless others with my gifts of watercolor art, which in turn blesses me. Keep teaching and growing. Thanks Emily❤
Not trying to be dramatic...but I am a little emotional after hearing your story! Thank you so much for sharing. You and your husband made a bold choice to "bet on yourselves". I am so happy to have found you! You challenged me from the beginning. I have so much to learn - but love being part of your online community. I am at a similar cross roads and am trying to figure out my next steps..and I connect with your story...espeically the "imposter syndrome". Watercolor brings me such joy and has sparked a true curiosity about the world around me. Thank you Emily!
My husband now retired was a mechanical engineer. At one point he had to switch jobs and work in sales. Just like your husband it was torture. He was so stressed and so grateful he found another engineering job. I love you paintings and so glad I found your channel. Thank you.
I remember when I started my biz almost 16 years ago, social media was so different. I would go door to door passing out postcards to promote myself. Now social media has made things much simpler.
Some day your kids might understand how incredibly brave and talented their mom is! Wow, what a great story. Congratulations. I’ve only been watercolor painting for 4 months and learn something useful and inspiring every video I watch of yours . Thank you, Emily.
Beautiful painting; but more importantly I love to watch, listen, and follow because of your humbleness and transparency personality and sharing. I am new to your channel and love to know more and learn from you!
Hello Emily, what an amazing story! TYFS your watercolour journey with us and the personal pics of your family. I do remember the Chickadee painting as that was the first time I contacted you. Thank you again for your amazing videos. Take care and see you soon 🤗
Loved reading about your history that lead you to be a You Tube artist. I am much older than you but related to what you mentioned about abandoning your artistic interests (as well as others) to take the time to raise your kids. I also had come in and out of art (have abilities from childhood) but lacked the access to instruction and materials way back then. I also started a home business (cosmetologist) while my kids were young to be able to have them at home rather than in daycare. People who have not done this have no insight into the effort that all of this takes. I appreciate you sharing this and am looking forward to watching you paint! I became aware of your channel when I watched one that you recorded with Steve on the Mind of Watercolor.
First of all, THANK YOU, Emily, for sharing your story. If possible, I have even more respect for you and certainly the path you have been on to get to where you are today. It must have been soooo unsettling to go through what you and your husband did when you both went through a career crossroads. I believe everything happens for a reason, and I join the MANY people who are grateful you found your calling. You are an artist on a journey and generous enough to share what you are discovering along the way. THANK YOU! You have a beautiful family, immense talent, and I wish you nothing but the best always!!
Carmen, you are such a valuable and wonderful member of WM! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, and for being the BEST supporter and encourager on our FB group! ❤
Thank you for sharing your story. I am a member, and when I am frustrated, I know I can do one of your tutorials, be successful, and get my confidence back for another day. I have always struggled with perfectionism, and am just starting to internalize that my paintings are perfect for ME. If I am happy with them, that’s all that matters. I love your work and will continue to follow you!
Emily I admire your ability and talent. This is a very accomplished self portrait. Two small children and starting a creative UA-cam business is very brave. I wish you well and very happy to have found you as I’ve learned so much watching your tutorials. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and time. ✨🎨
Watched your interview with Steve and it was a joy to watch you both talk about everything. I love watching your videos and learning from you. I literally drop everything when my phone pings and I get a notification that you uploaded a new video and watch it right away. I eagerly wait for your videos. I have learned so much from you and keep learning. You are so down to earth and caring about your viewers. You fulfilled my request of teaching how to paint white Persian cat so fast. I have been an admirer ever since because there are very few artist who fulfils request as they have a whole planned out schedule for upcoming videos. I’m sure you must have it too but still you listened to me and you won my heart all over again. I take your recommendations and words blindly because I know you wouldn’t recommend anything without trial and error. And you are transparent about everything which is a plus. You are an inspiration truly!! I hope to learn even more from you. And your watercolor mastery school is such a blessing. Each tutorial teaching so many new things. Thank you so much for everything! Much love!!❤❤
This piece turned out beautiful! Thank you for sharing your story. You always appear so confident, and it is helpful to hear the raw, real version of your journey.
Emily, i can so relate to all this! I know the struggle! I love being part of your watercolor mastery! Always learning with you. And i love the fact that you provide so many different subjects to paint in your classes! You are a great artist! Congratulations to all the effort you put in it!
I found you on UA-cam several years ago. I’m now 66 years old, but at 59 I suddenly became a widow. I graduated from AIP in 1976, worked as a fashion illustrator for several years, had children, freelanced some, worked at a commercial art studio, a couple of newspapers designing ads, etc. etc. But today I have a beautiful little studio in my home and I paint whatever I want to paint with all the time in the world to do it! Of course I greatly miss my dear husband. But I have found a love ❤️ for painting that I never knew before. No more selling my soul, [if you know what I mean]…I really love your videos and I am certain that for you my dear, this is just the beginning!❤
Donna thanks so much for sharing your story, and I am so sorry for your loss! A good man is such a treasure. I’m so glad you are finding joy in the art studio! Keep it up! ❤️❤️❤️
I respect and admire people that put their art out into the public sphere with all of the pleasures *and* risks that come with it. Putting yourself -- your story -- out there is a risk that is bigger still. Kudos to your bravery! I think you hit just the right balance of sharing and I enjoyed learning a bit more about you and your journey as an artist. Well done, Emily!
This was very encouraging to see! As a mother of two trying to start an art career, it was exactly what I needed to hear. I can't see myself doing art videos, as I'm very shy, but it is inspiring altogether. I wish all the best for you and your family. Love from Europe.
I loved hearing your story! I definitely relate to the juggle of caring for kids and devoting time to art, wanting to do them both justice, loving them both! Thank you for your excellent content; yours is my go-to art channel! So relatable, so real, and so inspiring. Thank you so much.
Thank for such an inspiring message. Your videos have encouraged me from the get go I've never painted before I'd only done graphite drawings then a couple of years ago I decided I wanted to add colour to them. So I searched the internet, UA-cam, on how to to paint with watercolor. I painted along with a couple of artists but they didn't satisfy what I was searching for painting wise. Then I found your channel and was hooked. I painted along with your UA-cam lessons but there were some lessons I wanted to do but were only snippets and were on your Mastery channel so decided to get a subscription a couple of years ago and have been enjoying every moment of it. Thank you again Emily for your inspiration and being a great teacher
What a wonderful inspirational story! I have been watching you for several years and love your work. This self portrait is amazing and beautiful! By the way your children are super cute! Continued success. 🤗
I am so happy for you Emily, and appreciate your videos and expertise! My kids are 13 and 9, and I can totally relate to the demands and joys of motherhood. But now that they’re getting a little older I am able to paint more and have hobbies. One of my boys is a little artist too and I love that he takes and interest in art as well. You are so relatable and I just thank you and I’m proud of you! God bless you and your family!
Emily: you are so super gifted, your art is beautiful and you had me at the beginning with a horse portrait done in colored pencil. At first I thought, well if I could draw like her I could do anything art wise. But as I watched your UA-cam videos and your honest approach and attention to detail I found myself excited for each new video you posted. Thank you, for opening up my world to watercolor, oh, and colored pencils.
Hi Emily! I found you from my friend Steve Mitchell's interview video and so happy I did! I'm enjoying your older videos and really impressed with your story and your skills. Really excited to see what you produce in the future and look forward to following your journey! Keep up the beautiful work! Cheers, Mark! :)
I am glad that you made it Emily, you are an inspiration and one of the better teachers on You tube, I have followed a few and you are down to earth, informative, and talented. Some others get loads of people to follow them then start buying really expensive paints and expect the followers to buy them. you dont, thank goodness. I think your a great teacher and an inspiration to beginners and advanced followers. Thank you.
These kinds of videos always make me cry. The inspiration through seeing others achieve their dream goals and then seeing how much time I waste never starting through fear and insecurities argh!
Hi Emily. I started watching your videos back in 2020 and it was a great way to forget (for a moment) what was going on in the world. I learned that you loved horses, and the piano. I think was part of the 15k ish subscribers to your channel and it’s been great to see how your based has grown! Congrats and keep it going! Best, Rudy
You have taught me so much by watching your videos! You were the very first watercolor artist I subscribed to. Thank you for sharing your journey. It gives me hope!
I am so happy I recently found you on UA-cam. I dream of being an artist and love watercolour, even though I've only just begun trying my hand at it. When I watched this video, the first thing I thought was that you MUST be an artist because only a true artist would have the confidence to prep a blank canvas over an area rug. 😲 By the time I reached the end of the video, I was convinced you are not only a talented and inspiring artist, but a beautiful human being, too You've cared enough to reply to every single comment! 💜
Thank you for sharing your story Emily. Your work is just beautiful and your teaching techniques are inspiring. I am a big fan and now I feel as though I know you a little more and I'm even a bigger fan. Thanks for being so positive and fueling my own journey!
As a member of Watercolor Mastery and a number one fan of you, Emily, congratulations on all of your accomplishments. I love watching your personal story videos as much as your painting tutorials. Becoming a member of Watercolor Mastery has provided me with the perfect way of learning watercolor painting. Thank you. Your self-portrait is beautiful and represents the inspirational person you are. Best of luck.
Emily, you rock! What a beautiful story, family and art piece. In fact, the whole video was really well done. Congrats on your channel's growth. Have a lovely day x Nell.
I loved hearing your story and I think you are amazing! You deserve tons and tons of subscribers because your content is golden. One of the things I enjoy is the always encouraging way you teach. Best of luck towards 100K and beyond ❤
I found you about halfway through 2022 and can so relate to your story. You have taught me so much-I thought you had been teaching for a decade! You are very gifted, and I thank the Lord that he put you in my path. I was scared to even begin watercolor painting because I was so intimidated by it, and now I find it a lifeline of stress relief and joy. Many blessings to you and your family, Emily, and continued success!!!
Wonderful! As a fan, you are an inspiration to me. Great co-interview with Steve Mitchell. I, too, am enamored with animals and landscapes. Keep up the good work.
I decided to have a look at your channel after seeing your interview on MOW. I really enjoyed watching your approach to the more complicated painting and like Steve, was really impressed by the landscape hanging behind you. I’ve subscribed and am looking forward to seeing more. I hope you hit your 100k soon.
Emily, thanks for the wonderful additions to spreading art with the world! For me, you are the illustrate the cliche "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear!" And what a great entrance you've made! Thanks for being there (and here). I appreciate your skill and talents. Knowing your reasons for picking certain colors (more transparent...), as are your design considerations (simplify over here, let the viewer's eyes be drawn to the details over there.... connect the darks... balance your painting by adding a touch of that same color somewhere else... I love hearing what kind of a mood or energy you are trying to share. Even though you never make mistakes, it's helpful to see how you handle occasional weeds trying to grow (advice on water control is always welcome). Enjoy those cute kids!
Hi Emily! So excited about your channel (thanks Steve Mitchell for your recommendation). Watercolor is my escape-stepped away from it for a while but found my way back. Your art is amazing! Looking forward to following you.
Congratulations on a beautiful job well done! I’ve thought about making a UA-cam channel to teach some of the arts; but never did. Truth is, you and some other content creators do such a thorough, spectacular job; that I’d be at a loss to try and offer new, supportive additional information at this time. Sometimes, I watch channels like yours because creating art in my studio can be isolating, so keeping these videos on in the background keep me company. Love your self portrait, btw.
Thanks Emily for sharing your work and reviews. I really enjoy watching and learning watercolouring tips from you. It definitely helped me get better. Keep going strong!
You continue to amaze me with your beautiful work, and I love the self-portrait! I began painting when Donna Dewberry came on the scene and I bought one of her kits. I soon became bored with tole painting and wanted to venture into something more challenging. Of course watercolor really sparked my interest. I've always loved the look of watercolor and loved the ease of clean-up, portability and challenge that watercolor provides. Like you, my journey has been on again, off again. I'm nearing 70 years old and decided now is the time to really be steady with my painting. I find your channel so full of inspiration and encouragement. God bless you! And I would love to know where you got those frames for your paintings that is at the beginning of the video. That's exactly what I've been looking for!
I’m a student and a fan! You’re the perfect balance between realistic and loose painting which I love! I like realism but I don’t want to spend days layering and layering. Been there done that. And I have a hard time with the loose technique so you’re the perfect teacher for me!
Emily, you are very very talented and brave. I finally got brave enough to put some of my work on instagram. I'm 65 not as experienced in art as you are and will probably never make a video. your self portrait is beautiful!!! Thank you always.
Wow! Well done both of you, for taking the brave steps & doing so very well. Your self-portrait is wonderful! I wish you continued success & every happiness ❤😊
Emily you are amazing artist! Great story I try to paint myself as a single dad, my wife passed away 11 years ago and my son Emerson is my heart! I wish I could post a portrait I did of him after the lapis lazuli painting you did is the girl! So cool. I want to join watercolor mastery but I’m not sure how much I can afford right now! Please keep up the great work and I will keep painting along side of you again. Thank you
Thanks so much for sharing your story! I’m so sorry you lost your wife-that’s unimaginable grief. I love that you painted your son-what a beautiful way to express your devotion to him. Thanks for your comments and I wish you all the best! 💕
Hi Emily - I came across your UA-cam Channel yesterday, and have been blown away by your talent. I subscribed straight away, then a few minutes ago received an email with your story. I congratulate you and your husband on taking the big leap, it takes courage and you obviously put in the work to get where you are now. Your self-portrait is AMAZING! I am keen to improve my watercolour skills and hope to sign up to Watercolour Mastery asap.
Thank you for sharing your story. I would never have guessed that you haven't been a professional artist for many years. I stumbled into watercoloring painting last year and I think I saw your work on Instagram. I have learned so much from Watercolor Mastery and thoroughly enjoy painting with you. Maybe you could do a (no fuss) painting class on a weekend day for us Denver-Boulder folks! Though I do wonder how I will pause and rewind you??!
Thank you so much for being a member! In-person workshops are most likely coming (in 2024). I will be at PACE in Westminster in June if you'd like to come hang out with some amazing plein air artists!
We are SO SIMILAR! I began life as a musician as well...I played (French) horn professionally with an opera company part time and worked several other menial jobs to survive. I did that for years. I found my passion in anthropology (and teaching), and have been doing a PhD for the past four years. I never would have guessed, as I sat in that orchestra pit feeling stressed, anxious, and knowing that I wanted more out of life, that I'd be where I am today, but I wouldn't change ANY of it. I paint watercolors as well, but not anything like what you do. I actually enjoy not being good at it. I know that sounds crazy, but there's no pressure, I just create. And I love that outlet. Anyway, keep being you! I love your videos and your art (and the fact that something SO different from anything that I do can still be technically the same thing...lol!).
Yup, I can relate with two small children of my own. Hopefully I can also have more time to paint when my littlest one is verbal and potty trained. This gives me hope ❤
Emily, this is a wonderful video. A great story. And so inspirational for me at 77 years of age. I am hoping to get my own channel going. I’ve had so many downfalls since I started my channel in 2018 I broke my back, had to have two knee surgery, and then last August I fell and broke both hands at the same time so needless to say my channel has taken a great Fall. I am better now and hoping that this year I can pull myself together and get it going again. I will be looking forward to watching you and learning from you and probably even asking you how to do this and that as far as getting my channel going. Thank you so much for your videos 😀
Autumn, it sounds like you've been through some incredibly tough times! I'm sending you prayers for healing and a surge of creativity! You've got this!
Thank you for all of your inspiration and all of the knowledge you share with us. I love your style and relaxed way of teaching and also love the art. I hope to use the knowledge gained, now that I'm retired, to do some pet portraits. I have a ways to go but will "stick to it"! I also love photography and may couple that with the painting. Again, thank you for all that you do! Also, The self-portrait is beautiful!!!
Congrats Emily. I just “discovered you” a few months ago and I love your style of painting. Although I don’t have a passion for painting animals I find your videos very useful with your explanations of what you are doing and for showing us various techniques. I also enjoy the ones where you allow us to learn with you. Really happy for you and your family that you were able to pursue your love of painting and find a way to help support your beautiful family. Taking some risks and lots of hard work has paid off. Thanks for sharing your videos!
Thank you so much for continuing to share more of your personality and true self with your channel’s viewers. I’m of the opinion that this singular factor is what takes channels from very good to unstoppable! You’re an inspiration! God bless your journey & your precious family!!! 🙏🏻☺️
Your art is amazing and you are so fun to watch because you are not Egotistical or self-absorbed. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us. You make things look so easy.
Thank you for sharing your story. I am a new-ish student on Watercolor Mastery - haven't posted yet - and also interested in setting up a business. So surprising to hear how you still felt like an imposter a year in! So please you found your way through.
Emily, I love your work and I am so proud to be a part of watercolor mastery. By doing the art challenges faithfully, my sketching and watercolor painting has improved. Even though I trace some of the challenges to keep up, it inspires me. Your positive soft spoken attitude makes it easy for all us to follow you. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story and self portrait with us.
You are severely underrated. Thank you so much for creating content that is just so many things - fun, educational, relaxing and enjoyable. I havent been subscribed for long but I already learned a lot. You have a very soothing and relaxing presence that makes me not afraid of making mistakes, because I can always just start over! Taking off that pressure and approaching art more light heartedly and optimistically has made a big difference for me. You taught me not to get discouraged. Im so glad I found your channel, I will always recommend it to others.
Emily - You are now even MORE of an inspiration! Your work is amazing and has guided me to the most successful therapy I know: ART! Your self-portrait is breathtaking! Thank you!
Thanks so much for the kind comment! I am so glad you are enjoying art as therapy, too!
I found you through the interview with Steve. I immediately watched a few of your videos and subscribed. Watched a few more, and signed up for the Watercolor Mastery course. Your instruction is so clear and easy to understand. I am grateful you kept pushing forward!
When I was in high school, I wrote an essay in my creative writing course that I was especially proud of. When it was returned to me, it had a giant F on it, and written across the page were the words “Plagiarism is against the law.” I had definitely written the entire essay myself on a topic I knew very well-a horse show. I asked the teacher why she thought I plagiarized it, and she responded that I couldn’t possibly have written it. She refused to change my grade. I was absolutely crushed. That was 46 years ago now, and I think about it regularly-as I perform my job as a writer/editor for a Fortune 100 company. So keep up the good work, and NEVER let those haters get the best of you. Just keep doing your thing. Maybe you’ll remember some of their names as you laugh your way to the bank!
Aw thank you for checking out my channel and for becoming a member! I truly hope you LOVE the projects! What a great story about your writing--truly inspiring!!
Oh, Emily, this is Barbara Gross, and I just loved hearing your story! As I watch and learn from your inspiring and wonderful videos, I have advanced to the point where I love to look at my finished paintings and marvel how far I have come, where before I would just paint simple flowers and objects and thought I could not do more. And as I watch you, I have been wondering about your life and if you had children and a husband and how you started your career. Now I know! Your children are so cute and I admire your husband for supporting you and letting you go after your passion. That is a beautiful self portrait of you! Thank you so much for sharing your life and dreams. I have a greater respect for you and will continue to enjoy your channel.
Barbara, thanks for watching and for your nice comment! I am so thrilled you are learning so much and gaining joy from painting! That's my hope for every WM member!
I’m a new student on watercolor mastery and find your teaching style fits my learning style perfectly. I appreciate your genuine approach and thank you for putting this out there. I’m so happy you have found this path.
Hello, your interview with Steve Mitchell helped me understand why I appreciate your content so much. Because not all great artist are great teacher. The fact that you've been a piano teacher makes sense. You've confronted yourself to teaching for years, and it shows in you tutorial. And your "Mom" energy is a huge help. I'm 38 year old man, I know your are not my real momy 😂. But I really do feel that generous energy and that boost of confidence trough your tutorials. Thank you for helping me reaching my watercolor goals.
Aw thank you! Your comments always make me smile! Happy to pass on the "mom energy"!
You are the 1st artist I signed up with. You took the frustration out of watercolors for me. So glad your journey has been a blessing for your family. You have been a blessing for so very many! Now I get to bless others with my gifts of watercolor art, which in turn blesses me.
Keep teaching and growing.
Thanks Emily❤
That's so great to hear! Thanks for being a member!
Not trying to be dramatic...but I am a little emotional after hearing your story! Thank you so much for sharing. You and your husband made a bold choice to "bet on yourselves". I am so happy to have found you! You challenged me from the beginning. I have so much to learn - but love being part of your online community. I am at a similar cross roads and am trying to figure out my next steps..and I connect with your story...espeically the "imposter syndrome". Watercolor brings me such joy and has sparked a true curiosity about the world around me. Thank you Emily!
What a lovely, thoughtful comment. Keep at it, just take the next step! You got this!
❤❤❤❤wonderfull
My husband now retired was a mechanical engineer. At one point he had to switch jobs and work in sales. Just like your husband it was torture. He was so stressed and so grateful he found another engineering job. I love you paintings and so glad I found your channel. Thank you.
I remember when I started my biz almost 16 years ago, social media was so different. I would go door to door passing out postcards to promote myself. Now social media has made things much simpler.
For sure!
Some day your kids might understand how incredibly brave and talented their mom is! Wow, what a great story. Congratulations. I’ve only been watercolor painting for 4 months and learn something useful and inspiring every video I watch of yours . Thank you, Emily.
Aw thank you, that means a lot.
Beautiful painting; but more importantly I love to watch, listen, and follow because of your humbleness and transparency personality and sharing. I am new to your channel and love to know more and learn from you!
This self portrait is stunning! Beautiful work!
Thank you for stopping by my channel (and making these fantastic panels!) 🙌
Hello Emily, what an amazing story! TYFS your watercolour journey with us and the personal pics of your family. I do remember the Chickadee painting as that was the first time I contacted you. Thank you again for your amazing videos. Take care and see you soon 🤗
Thanks for following me throughout the years and for your nice comments, Marika!
Loved reading about your history that lead you to be a You Tube artist. I am much older than you but related to what you mentioned about abandoning your artistic interests (as well as others) to take the time to raise your kids. I also had come in and out of art (have abilities from childhood) but lacked the access to instruction and materials way back then. I also started a home business (cosmetologist) while my kids were young to be able to have them at home rather than in daycare. People who have not done this have no insight into the effort that all of this takes. I appreciate you sharing this and am looking forward to watching you paint! I became aware of your channel when I watched one that you recorded with Steve on the Mind of Watercolor.
Thanks so much for the kind comment! We moms can all relate to the dedication it takes to raise kiddos!
First of all, THANK YOU, Emily, for sharing your story. If possible, I have even more respect for you and certainly the path you have been on to get to where you are today. It must have been soooo unsettling to go through what you and your husband did when you both went through a career crossroads. I believe everything happens for a reason, and I join the MANY people who are grateful you found your calling. You are an artist on a journey and generous enough to share what you are discovering along the way. THANK YOU! You have a beautiful family, immense talent, and I wish you nothing but the best always!!
Carmen, you are such a valuable and wonderful member of WM! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, and for being the BEST supporter and encourager on our FB group! ❤
The fact that the bear speed-painting took off was all the encouragement you needed. I’m glad you’re sharing your gifts with the world in this way.
Thank you ❤️
Thank you for sharing your story. I am a member, and when I am frustrated, I know I can do one of your tutorials, be successful, and get my confidence back for another day. I have always struggled with perfectionism, and am just starting to internalize that my paintings are perfect for ME. If I am happy with them, that’s all that matters. I love your work and will continue to follow you!
This is the BEST! So glad you are discovering the joy of being uniquely YOU in your art!
Emily I admire your ability and talent. This is a very accomplished self portrait. Two small children and starting a creative UA-cam business is very brave. I wish you well and very happy to have found you as I’ve learned so much watching your tutorials. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and time. ✨🎨
Thank you, and it truly is my pleasure!
This is a terrific story! There are so many people who could benefit from making art, who are afraid to try. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for stopping by and for commenting! I enjoy hearing other artists' stories, too--so I thought it was time to share. :)
Watched your interview with Steve and it was a joy to watch you both talk about everything. I love watching your videos and learning from you. I literally drop everything when my phone pings and I get a notification that you uploaded a new video and watch it right away. I eagerly wait for your videos. I have learned so much from you and keep learning. You are so down to earth and caring about your viewers. You fulfilled my request of teaching how to paint white Persian cat so fast. I have been an admirer ever since because there are very few artist who fulfils request as they have a whole planned out schedule for upcoming videos. I’m sure you must have it too but still you listened to me and you won my heart all over again. I take your recommendations and words blindly because I know you wouldn’t recommend anything without trial and error. And you are transparent about everything which is a plus. You are an inspiration truly!! I hope to learn even more from you. And your watercolor mastery school is such a blessing. Each tutorial teaching so many new things. Thank you so much for everything! Much love!!❤❤
Sahrish you are so sweet! Thank you for all the kind comments and for watching my videos!
This piece turned out beautiful! Thank you for sharing your story. You always appear so confident, and it is helpful to hear the raw, real version of your journey.
Thank you so much!
Emily, i can so relate to all this! I know the struggle! I love being part of your watercolor mastery! Always learning with you. And i love the fact that you provide so many different subjects to paint in your classes! You are a great artist! Congratulations to all the effort you put in it!
Thanks Hanna! You are such a valuable and fabulous member! Keep up the amazing work!
I found you on UA-cam several years ago. I’m now 66 years old, but at 59 I suddenly became a widow. I graduated from AIP in 1976, worked as a fashion illustrator for several years, had children, freelanced some, worked at a commercial art studio, a couple of newspapers designing ads, etc. etc. But today I have a beautiful little studio in my home and I paint whatever I want to paint with all the time in the world to do it! Of course I greatly miss my dear husband. But I have found a love ❤️ for painting that I never knew before. No more selling my soul, [if you know what I mean]…I really love your videos and I am certain that for you my dear, this is just the beginning!❤
Donna thanks so much for sharing your story, and I am so sorry for your loss! A good man is such a treasure. I’m so glad you are finding joy in the art studio! Keep it up! ❤️❤️❤️
I respect and admire people that put their art out into the public sphere with all of the pleasures *and* risks that come with it. Putting yourself -- your story -- out there is a risk that is bigger still. Kudos to your bravery! I think you hit just the right balance of sharing and I enjoyed learning a bit more about you and your journey as an artist. Well done, Emily!
Aw thank you Jessie! That means so much!
Congratulations on for 100k!!🎉🎉 The painting is lovely
Thank you!
This was very encouraging to see! As a mother of two trying to start an art career, it was exactly what I needed to hear. I can't see myself doing art videos, as I'm very shy, but it is inspiring altogether. I wish all the best for you and your family. Love from Europe.
Aw thank you Carla! Glad you feel inspired!
I loved hearing your story! I definitely relate to the juggle of caring for kids and devoting time to art, wanting to do them both justice, loving them both! Thank you for your excellent content; yours is my go-to art channel! So relatable, so real, and so inspiring. Thank you so much.
Thanks Joanna! That means a lot!
GREAT STORY!!!! And your interview with Steve Mitchell was great also!!!! GOOD ON YA!!!!!
Thanks, Dolores! Your comments are always kind and insightful.
Thank for such an inspiring message. Your videos have encouraged me from the get go I've never painted before I'd only done graphite drawings then a couple of years ago I decided I wanted to add colour to them. So I searched the internet, UA-cam, on how to to paint with watercolor. I painted along with a couple of artists but they didn't satisfy what I was searching for painting wise. Then I found your channel and was hooked. I painted along with your UA-cam lessons but there were some lessons I wanted to do but were only snippets and were on your Mastery channel so decided to get a subscription a couple of years ago and have been enjoying every moment of it.
Thank you again Emily for your inspiration and being a great teacher
Wow, Shaz that means so much! Thank you for your kind comment and for being a member! ❤
I love this
What a wonderful inspirational story! I have been watching you for several years and love your work. This self portrait is amazing and beautiful! By the way your children are super cute! Continued success. 🤗
Thank you so much!
I am so happy for you Emily, and appreciate your videos and expertise! My kids are 13 and 9, and I can totally relate to the demands and joys of motherhood. But now that they’re getting a little older I am able to paint more and have hobbies. One of my boys is a little artist too and I love that he takes and interest in art as well. You are so relatable and I just thank you and I’m proud of you! God bless you and your family!
Aw thank you so much Lauren!
Emily: you are so super gifted, your art is beautiful and you had me at the beginning with a horse portrait done in colored pencil. At first I thought, well if I could draw like her I could do anything art wise. But as I watched your UA-cam videos and your honest approach and attention to detail I found myself excited for each new video you posted. Thank you, for opening up my world to watercolor, oh, and colored pencils.
That’s so nice of you to say! I’m glad I can be of some assistance in your own art journey. Keep at it! 🙌❤️
Hi Emily! I found you from my friend Steve Mitchell's interview video and so happy I did! I'm enjoying your older videos and really impressed with your story and your skills. Really excited to see what you produce in the future and look forward to following your journey! Keep up the beautiful work! Cheers, Mark! :)
Wow thank you Mark! You have an impressive channel yourself! I appreciate you stopping by my channel!
I am glad that you made it Emily, you are an inspiration and one of the better teachers on You tube, I have followed a few and you are down to earth, informative, and talented. Some others get loads of people to follow them then start buying really expensive paints and expect the followers to buy them. you dont, thank goodness. I think your a great teacher and an inspiration to beginners and advanced followers. Thank you.
These kinds of videos always make me cry. The inspiration through seeing others achieve their dream goals and then seeing how much time I waste never starting through fear and insecurities argh!
Aw, thank you Lisa!
Hi Emily. I started watching your videos back in 2020 and it was a great way to forget (for a moment) what was going on in the world. I learned that you loved horses, and the piano. I think was part of the 15k ish subscribers to your channel and it’s been great to see how your based has grown! Congrats and keep it going! Best, Rudy
Thanks for all the support over the years, Rudy! ❤
You have taught me so much by watching your videos! You were the very first watercolor artist I subscribed to. Thank you for sharing your journey. It gives me hope!
Aw I feel so honored! Thank you, Melanie!
I am so happy I recently found you on UA-cam. I dream of being an artist and love watercolour, even though I've only just begun trying my hand at it. When I watched this video, the first thing I thought was that you MUST be an artist because only a true artist would have the confidence to prep a blank canvas over an area rug. 😲 By the time I reached the end of the video, I was convinced you are not only a talented and inspiring artist, but a beautiful human being, too You've cared enough to reply to every single comment! 💜
Hah hah, no rugs were harmed in the making of this video. You are so sweet to comment! Welcome to my channel. ❤️
You’re inspirational, thank you 😊
Thank you for sharing your story Emily. Your work is just beautiful and your teaching techniques are inspiring. I am a big fan and now I feel as though I know you a little more and I'm even a bigger fan. Thanks for being so positive and fueling my own journey!
Thank you, Hattie, and most welcome!
I love your work and have been inspired. Don't doubt yourself, you are a true talent. Thank you.
Thank you so much 😀
I love your artwork and the encouragement you give to those of us that would love to one paint like you do. Please keep it up. 😘
Thank you so much 😀
As a member of Watercolor Mastery and a number one fan of you, Emily, congratulations on all of your accomplishments. I love watching your personal story videos as much as your painting tutorials. Becoming a member of Watercolor Mastery has provided me with the perfect way of learning watercolor painting. Thank you. Your self-portrait is beautiful and represents the inspirational person you are. Best of luck.
What a kind comment, Natalie! Thanks so much for being a member and for letting me be a part of your painting journey!
I am fan number1!1 😂😂😂
Emily, you rock! What a beautiful story, family and art piece. In fact, the whole video was really well done. Congrats on your channel's growth. Have a lovely day x Nell.
I appreciate that!
Beautiful portrait Emily! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
My pleasure 😊
I loved hearing your story and I think you are amazing! You deserve tons and tons of subscribers because your content is golden. One of the things I enjoy is the always encouraging way you teach.
Best of luck towards 100K and beyond ❤
Aw, I appreciate that!
I found you about halfway through 2022 and can so relate to your story. You have taught me so much-I thought you had been teaching for a decade! You are very gifted, and I thank the Lord that he put you in my path. I was scared to even begin watercolor painting because I was so intimidated by it, and now I find it a lifeline of stress relief and joy. Many blessings to you and your family, Emily, and continued success!!!
I am thrilled to hear that watercolor has become a help in your life! Painting really is a gift.
You’re my go to artist! I have learned so much from watching you! Thank you for braving the way. Keep going!
Thank you so very much!
You have made my life better. Thank you for all your hard work that has brought me so much enjoyment.❤
Aw what I nice thing to hear. Thank you, Kathy!
Wonderful! As a fan, you are an inspiration to me. Great co-interview with Steve Mitchell. I, too, am enamored with animals and landscapes. Keep up the good work.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I decided to have a look at your channel after seeing your interview on MOW. I really enjoyed watching your approach to the more complicated painting and like Steve, was really impressed by the landscape hanging behind you. I’ve subscribed and am looking forward to seeing more. I hope you hit your 100k soon.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! ❤
Your tutorials are so fantastic- you made enduring a pandemic much more tolerable & I produced some pretty good art thanks to your videos. Keep it up!
YAY for making paintings you love! 🤗
You are one of my absolute favorites!! Keep on doing your thing girl 😊
Aw thanks, Kelsey!
I love how positive you aree in this and all of your videos!!!
I appreciate that!
Emily, thanks for the wonderful additions to spreading art with the world! For me, you are the illustrate the cliche "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear!" And what a great entrance you've made!
Thanks for being there (and here). I appreciate your skill and talents.
Knowing your reasons for picking certain colors (more transparent...), as are your design considerations (simplify over here, let the viewer's eyes be drawn to the details over there.... connect the darks... balance your painting by adding a touch of that same color somewhere else...
I love hearing what kind of a mood or energy you are trying to share.
Even though you never make mistakes, it's helpful to see how you handle occasional weeds trying to grow (advice on water control is always welcome).
Enjoy those cute kids!
Michael, you are so very kind! Thank you for the generous comment.
Same girl! I love watching your videos ❤
Thanks, Melissa!
Hi Emily! So excited about your channel (thanks Steve Mitchell for your recommendation).
Watercolor is my escape-stepped away from it for a while but found my way back.
Your art is amazing! Looking forward to following you.
Thanks for checking out my channel! 🙏🏻
I am also a new Watercolor Mastery student, and I enjoy your presentations. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you so much for sharing- you are such a joy and I’m so grateful I found you years ago 💗
I'm so glad!
Beautiful painting!!!!!!!!! Wonderful talent,Blessings….
Thank you so much 😊
Congratulations on a beautiful job well done! I’ve thought about making a UA-cam channel to teach some of the arts; but never did. Truth is, you and some other content creators do such a thorough, spectacular job; that I’d be at a loss to try and offer new, supportive additional information at this time. Sometimes, I watch channels like yours because creating art in my studio can be isolating, so keeping these videos on in the background keep me company. Love your self portrait, btw.
This is an amazing painting!
So glad you share your gift with others on UA-cam!
Thank you so much 😀
Thanks Emily for sharing your work and reviews. I really enjoy watching and learning watercolouring tips from you. It definitely helped me get better. Keep going strong!
Thank you so much for taking the time to watch and comment! ❤
Thank you so much for sharing your lovely story. I enjoy watching you so much.
You continue to amaze me with your beautiful work, and I love the self-portrait! I began painting when Donna Dewberry came on the scene and I bought one of her kits. I soon became bored with tole painting and wanted to venture into something more challenging. Of course watercolor really sparked my interest. I've always loved the look of watercolor and loved the ease of clean-up, portability and challenge that watercolor provides. Like you, my journey has been on again, off again. I'm nearing 70 years old and decided now is the time to really be steady with my painting. I find your channel so full of inspiration and encouragement. God bless you! And I would love to know where you got those frames for your paintings that is at the beginning of the video. That's exactly what I've been looking for!
Thanks for the nice comment! My frames are called Ambiance Gallery wood frames from Jerry’s Artarama.
I’m a student and a fan! You’re the perfect balance between realistic and loose painting which I love! I like realism but I don’t want to spend days layering and layering. Been there done that. And I have a hard time with the loose technique so you’re the perfect teacher for me!
Thanks for being a faithful member, Rhonda! I appreciate the kind comment!
Emily, you are very very talented and brave. I finally got brave enough to put some of my work on instagram. I'm 65 not as experienced in art as you are and will probably never make a video. your self portrait is beautiful!!! Thank you always.
Aw thank you so much, Carol! Keep bravely making Art! ❤️
Wow! Well done both of you, for taking the brave steps & doing so very well. Your self-portrait is wonderful! I wish you continued success & every happiness ❤😊
Thank you so much!
You're a fabulously talented artist and a great inspiration!
Thank you so much!
Fantastic painting you are so talented! Great story of your achievements.
Thank you so much 😀
Thanks, Emily 😊…this is a very encouraging video for me! Your self-portrait is very beautiful too 💕
Thank you!
Oh my gosh, I love this story. Thank you so much for sharing, gives me hope❤
I'm so glad! Thanks for the nice comment!
Your story is very inspirational! You are an amazing artist. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! ❤
I love your talent (aka hard work), channel and Watercolor Mastery course I signed up for. I enjoy all of it!
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment and for joining the membership! ❤
Emily you are amazing artist! Great story I try to paint myself as a single dad, my wife passed away 11 years ago and my son Emerson is my heart! I wish I could post a portrait I did of him after the lapis lazuli painting you did is the girl! So cool. I want to join watercolor mastery but I’m not sure how much I can afford right now! Please keep up the great work and I will keep painting along side of you again. Thank you
I spend most of my time doing commissions of pets for friends
Thanks so much for sharing your story! I’m so sorry you lost your wife-that’s unimaginable grief. I love that you painted your son-what a beautiful way to express your devotion to him. Thanks for your comments and I wish you all the best! 💕
Well done.. well said. You're always an inspiration in so many ways.
Thanks, Betsy!
Hi Emily - I came across your UA-cam Channel yesterday, and have been blown away by your talent. I subscribed straight away, then a few minutes ago received an email with your story. I congratulate you and your husband on taking the big leap, it takes courage and you obviously put in the work to get where you are now. Your self-portrait is AMAZING! I am keen to improve my watercolour skills and hope to sign up to Watercolour Mastery asap.
That's wonderful, thanks for subbing and watching! It means the world!
Thank you for sharing your story. I would never have guessed that you haven't been a professional artist for many years. I stumbled into watercoloring painting last year and I think I saw your work on Instagram. I have learned so much from Watercolor Mastery and thoroughly enjoy painting with you. Maybe you could do a (no fuss) painting class on a weekend day for us Denver-Boulder folks! Though I do wonder how I will pause and rewind you??!
Thank you so much for being a member! In-person workshops are most likely coming (in 2024). I will be at PACE in Westminster in June if you'd like to come hang out with some amazing plein air artists!
Beautiful Story!❤❤❤
Thank you!
Keep it up. You are doing great. I am really enjoying learning from you and excited about the future. Love your vibe.
Thank you so much!
Good Job Emily! You are doing it!!
Thank you, Linda!
We are SO SIMILAR! I began life as a musician as well...I played (French) horn professionally with an opera company part time and worked several other menial jobs to survive. I did that for years. I found my passion in anthropology (and teaching), and have been doing a PhD for the past four years. I never would have guessed, as I sat in that orchestra pit feeling stressed, anxious, and knowing that I wanted more out of life, that I'd be where I am today, but I wouldn't change ANY of it. I paint watercolors as well, but not anything like what you do. I actually enjoy not being good at it. I know that sounds crazy, but there's no pressure, I just create. And I love that outlet. Anyway, keep being you! I love your videos and your art (and the fact that something SO different from anything that I do can still be technically the same thing...lol!).
I love that you found and pursued your passion!
Yup, I can relate with two small children of my own. Hopefully I can also have more time to paint when my littlest one is verbal and potty trained. This gives me hope ❤
Yes, it does get easier! 🙌
Emily, this is a wonderful video. A great story. And so inspirational for me at 77 years of age. I am hoping to get my own channel going. I’ve had so many downfalls since I started my channel in 2018 I broke my back, had to have two knee surgery, and then last August I fell and broke both hands at the same time so needless to say my channel has taken a great Fall. I am better now and hoping that this year I can pull myself together and get it going again. I will be looking forward to watching you and learning from you and probably even asking you how to do this and that as far as getting my channel going. Thank you so much for your videos 😀
Autumn, it sounds like you've been through some incredibly tough times! I'm sending you prayers for healing and a surge of creativity! You've got this!
Thank you for the channel. Your work is amazing and I love your beautiful energy.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! ❤
Thank you for all of your inspiration and all of the knowledge you share with us. I love your style and relaxed way of teaching and also love the art. I hope to use the knowledge gained, now that I'm retired, to do some pet portraits. I have a ways to go but will "stick to it"! I also love photography and may couple that with the painting. Again, thank you for all that you do!
Also, The self-portrait is beautiful!!!
Thanks, Glenys! Pet portraits are the BEST! Have fun pursuing your art! ❤
Congrats Emily. I just “discovered you” a few months ago and I love your style of painting. Although I don’t have a passion for painting animals I find your videos very useful with your explanations of what you are doing and for showing us various techniques. I also enjoy the ones where you allow us to learn with you. Really happy for you and your family that you were able to pursue your love of painting and find a way to help support your beautiful family. Taking some risks and lots of hard work has paid off. Thanks for sharing your videos!
Thanks for the nice comment, Geri! Taking risks is scary, but it's been a blessing for us!
Thank you so much for continuing to share more of your personality and true self with your channel’s viewers.
I’m of the opinion that this singular factor is what takes channels from very good to unstoppable!
You’re an inspiration! God bless your journey & your precious family!!!
🙏🏻☺️
What a nice thing to say! I appreciate your comment!
Your art is amazing and you are so fun to watch because you are not Egotistical or self-absorbed. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us. You make things look so easy.
I appreciate that so much!
This portrait is amazing! Thank you for sharing your story
Thanks, Kim!
Loved watching this, and thank you for the shout out! The feeling's mutual; I think I'm your biggest fan.
❤️❤️❤️
This is your best one yet! Although I love all your work. Keep the videos coming!
Wow, thank you Lisa!
Thank you for sharing your story. I am a new-ish student on Watercolor Mastery - haven't posted yet - and also interested in setting up a business. So surprising to hear how you still felt like an imposter a year in! So please you found your way through.
I haven’t seen this before. I really enjoyed hearing your story.
Emily, I love your work and I am so proud to be a part of watercolor mastery. By doing the art challenges faithfully, my sketching and watercolor painting has improved. Even though I trace some of the challenges to keep up, it inspires me. Your positive soft spoken attitude makes it easy for all us to follow you. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story and self portrait with us.
That's so great to hear! Thank you, Mary Ann!
You are severely underrated. Thank you so much for creating content that is just so many things - fun, educational, relaxing and enjoyable. I havent been subscribed for long but I already learned a lot. You have a very soothing and relaxing presence that makes me not afraid of making mistakes, because I can always just start over! Taking off that pressure and approaching art more light heartedly and optimistically has made a big difference for me. You taught me not to get discouraged. Im so glad I found your channel, I will always recommend it to others.
Wow, thank you Dom! That means so much!
I am so glad that I found your channel! You are talented, inspiring, and worthy of every single bit of praise you receive! Keep going Emily!
Thank you so much!
Amazing life story❤❤❤❤
Thanks, Chantal!