Happy Day, Prickly Pear

9″ x 12″ • Watercolor on Paper • Available

Say hello to my cheerful little prickly pear! Its pads glow in sunny greens with hints of purple, and that rosy bloom on top makes me smile every time. I tucked it into a patterned blue pot for a fun Southwestern vibe, then added playful ink lines and tiny spines to keep it lively. I painted this as a workshop demo and ended up falling in love with its happy, easygoing energy, simple, bright, and a little bit sassy. I hope it brings you a happy day. 💙

At my main desk, I keep things bright and calm with clean white surfaces and a deep-teal chair (complete with a bee pillow lol, because pollinators are my muses). A strand of paper butterflies floats up the wall, and a cheerful Piper portrait watches over the space. Jars of brushes, pencils, and tools live within easy reach, along with a small task light and a tidy swirl of everyday supplies. It’s organized but comfortable, enough room to spread out, with everything I need close by. When it’s time to paint large images, I move to the big table by the window for that gorgeous natural light. I stretch my watercolor paper on a board, tape the edges, and set up a simple, focused station: fresh water, a ceramic palette, a few favorite brushes, towels, and (always) a mug nearby. An iPad sits to the side for reference photos-today it’s a handsome raptor-so I can study details while keeping the paper front and center. It’s a happy, hardworking corner of my world, part
cozy nook, part clean workstation, where every sunflower, water lily, wedding bouquet, and little animal portrait begins. My favorite part of my room is the hummingbird feeder sitting right outside my studio window. Happy little visitors.

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