There’s a quiet kind of magic that happens when I sit down in my studio, music softly playing in the background, and a blank sheet of watercolor paper waiting in front of me. The world slows down, and I let the colors take over. I don’t plan much, just a few chosen shades, enough water, and that little spark of intuition that always seems to know what it’s doing better than I do.

My brush? Well, I don’t use one. Instead, I let a simple credit card guide me. With each swipe, I feel the rhythm of the paint as it moves and flows, blending into unexpected shapes. This is my art; intuitive watercolor landscapes that come alive one movement at a time. I never really know what the final painting will look like. I wait, watch, and let the water tell me its story.

By the next day, when the paint has settled and dried, a landscape appears. Sometimes it’s a calm lake reflecting a golden sky. Other times, it’s rolling hills or distant mountains whispering through mist. Every painting feels like a little surprise from the universe, like a gentle reminder that beauty often blooms when you stop trying to control it.

The Call of Nature

I’ve always been inspired by nature. Maybe it’s because I grew up surrounded by it, the endless skies, the wide fields, and the way light changes with every hour in the Peace River area of Alberta. Even as a child, I felt the urge to capture that vastness, that serenity, even when I didn’t quite know how.

Fall is my favorite season. There’s something about the crisp air, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and those fiery colors, reds, golds, and oranges, that makes my heart full. I often imagine those colors dancing across my paper. They’re bold, alive, unapologetically beautiful.

A few years ago, I painted a piece called “Isle of Gentle Ripples.” The inspiration came from a quiet moment by the water, the sun dipping low, and a cool breeze brushing across the surface. The world felt still, and yet everything was moving. That balance between calmness and motion is what I always try to bring into my art.

The Journey of an Artist

My journey hasn’t been a straight line; it’s been more like the flow of watercolor itself. As a young girl, I was told I wasn’t good at art. I still remember those failed grades in school. Back then, it stung. But maybe that was just life nudging me to find my own way, to discover that art isn’t about rules, it’s about freedom.

For over 25 years, I explored different watercolor methods, learning, unlearning, and experimenting. I also built a successful business career, working with corporations, architects, designers, and collectors. It was fulfilling, but art was always there, quietly calling me back.

When I finally returned to painting, I brought with me everything I had learned from business: the confidence, the curiosity, the courage to think differently. That’s when I found my true voice as an artist: intuitive, spontaneous, and deeply connected to emotion.

Inspiration Everywhere

People often ask where I find my inspiration. The truth is, it’s everywhere. I find it while walking the trails of Edmonton, surrounded by tall trees and soft winds. I see it in the way sunlight touches the water, in the laughter of people I meet, and even in quiet moments alone with a cup of tea.

Travel has also been a huge part of my journey. I’ve been lucky enough to explore places like Europe, Holland, Turkey, Morocco, Costa Rica, and the USA. Each country brought its own colors, textures, and rhythms. The blues of the Mediterranean, the earthy tones of Morocco, the warm hues of Costa Rican sunsets, they all found their way into my paintings.

And then there’s music. Oh, how it stirs the soul! Soft piano notes or the melody of a violin can move my hand in ways I can’t explain. The paint seems to dance to the rhythm, flowing across the paper in harmony.

Painting Without Rules

There’s something beautifully liberating about painting without strict plans or outlines. Every piece begins with a feeling, a sense of what I want to express, and then I let the paint do the rest.

The card-swipe method became my way of creating because it allows me to move freely. There’s no brush between me and the color, no barrier between thought and movement. It’s just water, pigment, and instinct.

Sometimes the water runs in unexpected ways, merging colors I hadn’t planned. But instead of seeing it as a mistake, I see it as nature’s touch, its way of joining in the creative process.

Art That Calms the Soul

Over the years, I’ve realized that my paintings bring calmness not just to me, but to others, too. Collectors often tell me how the soft blends and open landscapes make them feel peaceful. My art has found homes in offices, hospitals, senior living spaces, and cozy homes across Canada.

I think that’s what makes watercolor special; it breathes. It moves, changes, and surprises you. Just like life.

A Future Full of Color

Art is evolving, and so are the people who appreciate it. I see younger generations embracing original art more than ever, bringing creativity into modern spaces. They want pieces that speak, that feel alive, that tell a story. That’s why I believe there’s room for intuitive watercolor art in every heart and every home.

Looking ahead, I want to keep creating, exploring, and sharing. Each new painting feels like a conversation with life, a blend of joy, calm, and curiosity.

So thank you, truly, for being here. For reading, for supporting, and for letting my art find a small place in your world. Whether you’re an art lover, a collector, or someone simply looking for a bit of calm in your day, I hope my paintings bring you a moment of stillness, a deep breath, and maybe even a smile.

Because art, at its best, reminds us to pause. To feel. To see beauty in the unpredictable.

And that’s exactly what watercolor has taught me, sometimes, the best things appear when you let go and simply let life flow.

So thank you, truly, for being here,  for taking a moment to read about my journey, my art, and the colors that fill my days. Whether you’re an artist, a collector, or simply someone who enjoys a quiet moment surrounded by beauty, I hope my paintings bring you a little peace and joy.

Please join me again next week for more stories, new art, and maybe even a little laughter along the way.

Thank you for your time and your interest in my work.

Until next time,
Shirley Rosin
Surely It’s Art