Fish, Freebies, and Fowl Play

Life Updates, Sunburns, and Big Dreams: Behind the Scenes of My Watercolor Wizardry Journey

Hey everyone! Zarah here, checking in with a little life update straight from the middle of my “growth journey”—the ongoing adventure of becoming a more authentic artist and business owner, and hopefully, inspiring others along the way.

If you’re new here, these posts are like daily progress journal entries. I share not just what I’m working on in the studio or business, but also the small moments and real-life stuff, like accidentally getting a sunburn or dealing with the chaos of filming chickens!

Summer Plans and Workshop Dreams

Right now, there’s a lot on my plate (in the best way!). I’m super excited to be participating in Faith Mariah’s “Best Summer Ever Bundle.” If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a collaborative project featuring resources and workshops from a range of creators. I’ll be contributing a beginner workshop—most likely a step-by-step introduction to watercolor in hyper-realistic style.  I want to help total beginners build confidence right from the start and let them see that they can do this!

The bundle submission is due in fifteen days, which feels like plenty of time… unless you consider all the other responsibilities and projects I have going on! (But honestly, I thrive with a little pressure.) I love these opportunities to teach, connect, and stretch myself creatively. Expect updates as the launch approaches—you know I’ll keep you posted!

Boating, Fishing, and Unexpected Inspiration

After a long winter, the weather has finally warmed up here and we’ve been making the most of it by heading out on the boat. There’s something so calming—and a little thrilling—about being out on the water, especially when the fish are biting. Lately, it’s been smallmouth bass aplenty. Honestly, there’s nothing better than sharing an all-you-can-eat fish and chips night with loved ones, followed by creative fish taco leftovers complete with mango salsa (which is, hands down, one of my favorite dishes).

But as much as I love these moments, I have to confess: I’m still learning how to protect myself from the sun. Despite being half Filipino, my skin is pretty much see-through—translation: sunburn city if I’m not careful. Instead of relying on sunscreen, I’ve started wearing rash guards (like surfers) and SPF clothing. Hats and long shorts are now my uniform for adventures in and out of the water. It’s a lesson in adapting and learning from experience—kind of like my art journey!

📺 Great day for fishing!

Murky Waters, Cold Dips & Real-Life Captures

It’s not all sunshine and smooth sailing, though. Right now, the runoff has made the water pretty murky. Still, there’s something exhilarating about that shock of cold when you take a quick dip. I’ve got some footage from out on the boat that I’m planning to share soon—just honest, real-life glimpses behind the scenes.

Speaking of behind-the-scenes, I tried to capture our baby chickens' first day free-ranging on video. Imagine me crouched with the camera, surrounded by adorable chaos…and then swarmed by mosquitoes! The footage turned out shaky and a little wild, but I’ll still share it. Sometimes, the imperfect moments are the most genuine (and entertaining).

Watercolor Wizardry: Starting Over From the Heart

All of these small, daily events feed directly into my bigger vision: building an online business that’s aligned with who I truly am as an artist and mentor. Not long ago, I made the bold decision to scrap my previous program and relaunch as the Watercolor Wizardry Academy. It was scary to let go of something I’d worked so hard on, but I realized that true alignment—doing work that truly energizes and excites me—matters more than a perfect aesthetic.

Now, Watercolor Wizardry Academy is all about teaching hyper-realistic watercolor techniques in a way that builds skill and confidence as a foundation (even if you’re a total beginner), fostering a supportive community, and sharing my journey in real-time. I’m using Kajabi to host the courses (if you’re thinking about teaching online, I highly recommend it for its simplicity).

• Shaky video warning: 📺 Baby chickens first day free ranging

Stay Tuned & Join the Journey

So that’s what’s happening in my world—teaching, creating, fishing, blazing in the sun, and always learning something new. Keep an eye out for the beginner watercolor workshop, the upcoming bundles, and those candid, sometimes-chaotic video updates.

Thanks for being part of this adventure with me. If you’re an artist—or just someone trying to build something meaningful from the heart—know you’re not alone. Let’s cheer each other on!

Until next time, Zarah