The Smallest Steps Create the Biggest Change

I just began. I took the first step: a very small, but very doable step. Inspired by a YouTube video of an artist that painted a daily 3” x 3” watercolor paintings, I thought, “That seems doable!” And so, I did just that: I began painting a small 3” x 3” painting, aiming for daily. I was gentle and forgiving with myself if some days just didn’t allow for painting. I would return to my acrylic inks the next possible day. Sometimes I would paint a second painting to make up for the missed day. Other days, I kept the time off sacred.

I built momentum for painting with this largely daily practice. Very quickly, I found myself wanting to paint more. Some days I would paint multiple little squares. Then, I began painting a 5” x 7”, too, on some days. The 5” x 7” paper I had was yupo, which I found that I preferred to the watercolor paper. My acrylic inks were so much more vibrant on the yupo paper. AND, I could add water to make the ink more fluid. Everything in my painting changed from that point. I found my medium.

The week my website went live, someone reached out wanting to commission a piece for their home. So, I began practicing making larger pieces. I made a nearly 9” x 12” cover for my MacBook. I also made a 9” x 9” piece with custom blended colors that had been burning in my mind since being asked to commission a piece. 9” x 9” may not seem all that large, but it was 9 times larger than what I had been daily making. (Cycle back: Also, how exciting to so quickly be asked to commission a piece!! **happy artist dance**)

I’ve scouted out even larger yupo paper this week, and have plans to buy some 20” x 26” yupo sheets next time I’m at the art supply store. My biggest dream is to create a piece that is roughly 5’ x 8’ for my entryway.

At the entry of every new year, I make a collage. My 2026 collage says, “If you’re going to dream, dream big!” And so, I am. Here’s to my big dreams, your big dreams, and the small steps we take to make them come true.