​Throughout our lives, we all go through life-changing events. Sometimes it's big and side, others it's small and, we barely notice at the time. We realized it much more later after the fact. 

This last year has been a mixed bag of challenges, roadblocks and sadness.  But all the sadness also brought opportunities, new people/friendships and new adventures. 

I begin the year in convalescents after a hysterectomy. In that period, I could do nothing but rest and think. The brain fog was slowly dissipating. Projects took form in my mind, and I realized what I didn't want to do anymore. 

Being secure and a creature of habits while I welcomed new opportunities, it was hard to let go of old patterns and ways of living. 
This long period of self-isolating also brought back feeling of loneliness. It is not something I often feel as an introverted artist. While I usually can't get enough alone time, I was craving the company of others. 

A bit more than a month ago, I lost my job to restructuring. At first, it hit me hard but being someone who doesn't like to sit in sadness for too long, I decided to see it as THE BIG OPPORTUNITY! I still have a good 15-20 years, if not more, on the work market and have more life experiences than when I decided to become a Graphic designer at 15.

It's a weird question to ask yourself at 46. What do you want to be when you grow up? I love creating art traditionally; it is and will always remain my first love. But I have always been attracted to technology and the wonders you can produce with it. 

So my plan, for now, is to take 6 months to complete an associate degree as a UX designer. Creating the best user experiences for someone like me who is always on the lookout for better ways of doing something seemed like a natural fit. At the same time, I will further my knowledge of video editing with adobe premiere and After Effects and grow my online presence. These are all things I had on the back burner for way too long. 
Of course, if the perfect job comes along the way, I'll take it. in the meantime, why not seize this wonderful opportunity life has sent my way.

As an art supplies enthusiast, I'm always on the lookout; for great and affordable brands to try and then; share my findings with my art friends and students. Let's face it, most of us don't have thousands of dollars to spend on of brand of watercolour alone. 

Lucky for us, more and more brands understand that and offer us good quality supplies. This time I try Paul Ruben Phosphorescent and Prima Marketing  Vintage watercolour sets. For Paul Ruben, I think phosphorescent is a bad translation as it is lightly glittery but doesn't glow in the dark… 

The first video is my first impression as I open both boxes and create swatches of them. The second one is a timelapse of me, creating a page in my Arteza sketchbook using both of them together. As always, the first time using a product gives us unpredicted results.
​I find both brands to be a bit dull. Since then, I used them on bright Fabriano 100% cotton paper and they were much brighter.

I hope you have fun watching both, I have two more videos coming in this series. Let me know if you heard of great products you would like my opinion on and I’ll look into them when my budget allows it,

It’s funny how life work sometimes. At first, I was hesitating in accepting Effys invitation to teach in this class wondering what I would have to share. Recent life events have made this the perfect opportunity for me and probably what I will need to navigate the year to come. I will create a piece on stitching your life back together and reinventing who you are.

I'm a bit late to the party but here's your chance to win a spot. 
Simple as usual we are asking for shares! We need your help to be seen! 

• Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok are all valid options, please remember to have your post public!

Then come back here and tell me where you've shared.
You have 3 days to enter only.
The winner will be announced on the 16th.

The class is going live in 3 weeks! Time flies so fast! I keep myself busy building it all. I am halfway through shooting all the lessons, but I keep adding content because I am excited! If you've taken a class with me before, you know that I always give more than what I'm selling. 

Do you wish to learn a new medium, explore different styles and develop your own while doing so? Get challenges that will help expand your creativity? I want to share all of my thoughts processes. 

Do you wish to learn more about Gouache Magic and get familiar with me? Here is a video resuming my plans to get you as excited and inspired as I am about gouache. 

You can also visit the class presentation page to learn about the supplies that will be used. I purposely kept it small. Affordable gouache is more and more available and you don’t need more than 15 colours to get started.