Why I Scrapped My Old Art Program (And What I’m Building Now)

A candid journey through restarting, refocusing, and building the Watercolor Wizardry Academy from the heart

If you’re anything like me, your creative journey has winding experimental turns and moments where what once seemed right starts to feel off. Today, I want to share why following your own energy—the authentic spark that first inspired you—is crucial, especially in building both an art practice and a business that feels true to you.

Before I go further, let me (re)introduce myself. My name is Zarah McIntosh, founder of Watercolor Wizardry. I’m a watercolor devotee, teacher, and explorer at heart. After taking a long break to recalibrate, I’m back with a new sense of purpose and want to open up about making the (sometimes scary) choice to scrap everything I’d built, return to my original vision, and launch anew. If you’re also navigating creative decisions or building something from scratch, I hope my transparency is encouraging.

When Your Beautiful Plan Just Isn’t the Right Plan

Not long ago, I was invested in a new online program I’d built out for my community. It was technically gorgeous—I had created fun templates and a watercolor quick start guide. Here’s the thing: as I got deeper, I started to feel like I was running on empty. The direction wasn’t energizing me the way I’d imagined. Each project I completed was fine on the surface, but deep down, it wasn’t aligning with the vision of watercolor teaching that originally fired me up.

After painting my way through a couple of projects, I realized something had to give. I was not being true to the kind of art or experience I wanted to share. I mean, it was great but it just wasn't the direction I wanted to go.  So I did what felt terrifying: scrapped everything and gave myself a long, honest break.  This doesn't mean the old program wouldn't come back.  I just wanted to focus on the original plan and get it going.

Listening to Your Alignment: Why I Returned to My Original Vision

It’s never an easy choice to walk away from a project you’ve put hours (and hours!) into. But time away gave me clarity. What I really wanted to build all along was the Watercolor Wizardry Academy, focused on teaching hyper-realistic watercolor techniques. When I started the other program, I’d sidetracked myself with templates and shortcuts, which may be fun, but weren’t the deep-dive, skills-building journey I envisioned.

What excites me about hyper-realistic watercolor—and why I want it to be the foundation for the Academy—is how it demands close observation, attention to detail, and care. Learning to see and render detail builds incredible artistic confidence. Once you truly understand how watercolor behaves and master control, you unlock the ability to create anything you can imagine. That’s the result I want for every member: confidence, freedom, and mastery.

Building from Scratch (Again): Opening the Doors for Beta Testers

Fast forward to now: The old content is gone; it was necessary. What’s left is the real deal, day one, bare bones of my true vision. At this stage, the Watercolor Wizardry Academy is in its earliest, most honest form—minimal content, all foundational, with room to grow the way it should have from the start.

And here’s where I invite you: I’m opening up the Academy to beta tester/subscribers who want to be a part of this rebirth from the ground up. It’s a rare chance to help shape the direction, experience tools as they develop, and receive foundational watercolor instruction in hyper-realistic techniques.

Tools for Growth: Workshops, Trackers, and a Supportive Community

Even though we’re starting simple, my plans are far from small. Here’s what’s in the works directly inspired by the missteps (and lessons) I’ve learned:

• Foundational Hyper-Realistic Workshops: Two per month, building step-by-step skills in tight watercolor control, observation, and painting confidence.

• Progress Journals and Trackers: Because tracking your learning makes a difference, I’m introducing easy-to-use tools to help you see—and celebrate—your growth.

• Fun Mini-Projects: We all need a break from intensity, so expect creative stretches beyond just realism.

• Community Building: Eventually, I want to expand beyond my own teaching and bring in guest instructors, and even provide teaching opportunities for members who grow into that desire.

Starting over may look “bare” right now, but it’s the fertile ground I needed for a sustainable, joyful learning space.

Behind the Scenes: Tech, Updates, and Daily Storytelling

Let’s talk practicalities. If you’re a creative building an online business, you know the tech can be its own adventure. I’ve chosen Kajabi as our platform. For beginners in online courses, it’s straightforward, easy to integrate, and manages everything from emails to courses in one place (plus, I genuinely like using it!).

Another new commitment—admittedly out of my comfort zone—is to send daily email updates to subscribers. Inspired by my mentor Evelyn Weiss (thanks, Evelyn!), I see daily storytelling as a way to keep it real, transparent, and connected. These emails will share progress, behind-the-scenes decisions, workshop launches, and real-life lessons. I want community, not just curriculum.

The Vulnerability and Power of Starting Over

I’m not going to sugarcoat it: restarting feels both exhilarating and scary. There’s vulnerability in saying, “I’m starting over,” but there’s also immense power. This decision honors my own needs and those of the community I want to serve. When you’re building from the heart, your business and your art become a vehicle for personal growth, not just products or instructions.

Ultimately, my goal is to offer a path for others to gain skills and confidence so they can finally create on their own. Too many lessons just teach you how to follow along; few show you the art of building from a blank page with your own inspiration.

Ready to Join the Journey?

If you resonate with authentic learning and want to grow with a vibrant community of watercolor explorers, now is the perfect time to step in as a beta tester/subscriber. You’ll get to witness (and shape) this journey as it’s unfolding.

• Subscribe to my progress updates and workshop announcements.

• Connect on Instagram for daily inspiration and real-time studio snapshots.

• Drop in your own story—if you’re building something heartfelt, too, I’d love to support and encourage your journey alongside mine.

Thank you for following along, for all the encouragement, and for being part of the Watercolor Wizardry community. If this story inspired you, please subscribe, share with friends, and leave a comment or review. Your presence truly shapes this space.

See you in the next update—where art and authenticity meet!
Zarah

P.S.  If you’d rather listen to this story instead of read it, I recorded it brain-dump-style, then made a podcast out of it here:   The Watercolor Wizardry Journey – Episode: “Why I Scrapped Everything and Started Over”

This is also uploaded to the Watercolor Wizardry channel as a podcast: The Watercolor Wizardry Journey