A Year in Watercolor: Painting Joy Into Every Day

Behind the Scenes

Apr 10

Part One: Why I Started Painting a Watercolor Every Day

At the start of 2025, after a whirlwind season of change, I made a quiet promise to myself: to begin each day with a small act of creativity. Nothing grand. Just a simple watercolor painting, created with intention and a warm cup of coffee by my side.

This daily ritual became my way of slowing down and reconnecting—with beauty, with creativity, and with myself.

Colorblock graphic with the text “A Year in Watercolor: Painting Joy Into Every Day” in elegant serif type, designed in soft pastel tones for a calming, artistic feel.

A New Chapter (and a New Morning Routine)

After 15 years living in London, my husband and I returned to the US for what was meant to be a road trip and vacation. But something shifted. The time with family, the open skies of Wyoming, Montana and Minnesota, and the slower pace of life brought a sense of clarity neither of us expected. So, we decided to stay.

And as we settled into this new rhythm, I knew I needed something grounding. A way to start each day with joy and creativity, especially while we prepared to reestablish our lives and relaunch Daydream Paper Studio in a whole new place. That’s when the idea of painting every day found me.

I’d long admired the work of artist Emily Lex and remembered her own daily watercolor challenge back in 2019. Inspired by her gentle approach and love of beauty, I thought, Why not now?

A cozy watercolor painting setup by a window overlooking Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota, with paintbrushes, a sketchbook, and natural morning light.

Painting as a Daily Ritual

Every morning, I sit down with my coffee and paint. No pressure, no perfection. Just twenty quiet minutes spent creating something small and lovely.

In the weeks leading up to January, I made a list of ideas and created Pinterest boards by month. I knew that if this was going to be sustainable, it had to be easy. I didn’t want to spend my mornings wondering what to paint, just enjoying the act of painting itself.

Each month has a new theme:

January was inspired by cold weather coziness
February leaned into soft pinks and Valentine’s Day
March brought kitchen charm—jam jars, teacups, and baking bits …and April has already begun to bloom with springtime and gardening.

These aren’t paintings I plan to turn into stationery (at least not yet!). They’re purely for the joy of it. Everyday objects. Small moments. Little things that feel special when you slow down long enough to notice them.

A soft watercolor painting of a skein of yarn in warm, neutral tones, created as part of a cozy January theme.

Watercolor painting of a Valentine’s Day gift wrapped in heart-patterned paper with a red ribbon, celebrating February’s romantic theme.

A watercolor painting of a light blue KitchenAid mixer, part of a March baking-themed series inspired by time spent in the kitchen.

A Creative Practice with Heart

This project wasn’t about mastering a skill, though I’ve already noticed my watercolor techniques evolving. It was about making space for creativity. A daily reminder that beauty lives in the margins, and we just need to be present enough to find it.

Painting each morning has brought peace during what could’ve felt like a chaotic season of transition. It’s a quiet way of anchoring myself in a time of change, and it’s opened up new ideas, too. (Spoiler: it’s even inspired a few thoughts for a children’s book!)

But most of all, this ritual reminds me why I started Daydream Paper Studio in the first place: to make space for artistry, storytelling, and the little details that matter.

A Peek Inside the Sketchbook

Here are a few recent favorites from my year of painting so far:

A Fortnum & Mason picnic basket (a love letter to London)
A cozy mug from my February Valentine’s Day series
A jar of honey inspired by slow mornings on a far away honey bee farm

Watercolor painting of a Fortnum & Mason wicker picnic basket, a nostalgic nod to London and leisurely summer afternoons.

A soft watercolor of a cozy mug with whimsical bow handle, painted for the February Valentine’s Day series.

Watercolor painting of a simple honey jar, inspired by slow mornings and the gentle rhythm of life on a countryside honey bee farm.

You can follow along on Instagram for my From the Studio Friday series, where I share a few favorite paintings each week. Or browse all my watercolors on Pinterest: Daily Watercolors • A Year of Painting

Final Thoughts

Thinking About Starting Your Own Creative Ritual? I’d absolutely encourage it, but only if it brings you joy. This isn’t about adding another task to your to-do list. It’s about choosing something that feels nourishing and doable. For me, that meant prepping themes in advance and keeping the format simple: small 4" x 5.5" paintings I could finish before my coffee got cold.

And that’s what this practice has become: a quiet, beautiful moment just for me.

Whether you’re deep in wedding planning, launching something new, or simply longing for a little more beauty in your day, I hope this inspires you to make space for what matters. Because sometimes, the smallest rituals create the most lasting magic.

Watercolors