Free Class Drop: Learn to Watercolor a Recipe! 🎨 + a summer peach drink

Happy bonus newsletter day! I have something new to share—and it’s a good one.

Last week, I taught a watercolor lunch-and-learn at my architecture firm. We painted a grassy landscape, and it reminded me how much quality supplies matter with watercoloring. We used the most basic kits and paper, and let’s just say...if I had a nickel every time I told someone, “It’s not you, it’s your supplies,” I’d have a quarter.
Despite a lightly muddy watercolor set experience, we had a blast—proof that joy > perfection.

I also gave my studio a big upgrade with a new computer and scanner! A snappy computer and crystal clear scanner is in prep for something exciting: my watercolor alphabet color series is coming very soon!

Inside My Studio

 During 2020, I created an online course called The Culinary Canvas—teaching how to illustrate a full recipe from start to finish. It was so special connecting with others through art at such a strange time.

I’ve now moved the class to YouTube so it's freely available for everyone! You’ll find detailed videos covering supplies, color mixing, illustration basics, lettering, and watercolor techniques—all designed to keep it light while learning something newl.
➔ Take the free class here!

What I'm Cooking

In bonus newsletter spirit, this one isn’t a recipe but more of a measure with your heart recipe:

Frozen peaches + rye whiskey = a  fabulous cocktail

Blend it all together and enjoy!  I may or may not have preordered 25 lbs of peaches in anticipation for a summer of all the peach recipes.

Creative Sparks

This Goal Digger Podcast episode had a reminder I loved: success isn’t just revenue, time, or margins. It’s joy. We should be tracking how much happiness our work brings, too.

Bonnie and I also had fun with a water mat this weekend - such a fun way to let loose and play!  See Bonnie's representation of Nathan with "whiskers, whiskers, whiskers":

What I'm Reading

Just wrapped up The Serpent and the Wolf—I liked it, didn’t love it (grape jelly vibes when you were hoping for strawberry).

Saving Emily Henry’s latest for my upcoming girls' weekend—perfect beach read material!

What's Next

 If you’re inspired to grab a paintbrush and join me, here are my go-to watercolor tools:

🎨 Watercolor Set: Winsor & Newton Cotman (upgrade it by removing the white and filling the pan with Permanent Rose)
🖌️ Favorite Brush: Princeton Size 6 Round
📜 Affordable (but still good) Paper: Canson XL | Best Paper: Stonehenge or Arches Cold Press

Thank you for being part of this creative journey. New patterns and projects are just around the corner—and I can't wait to share more soon.  

The tablecloth garden party is still in the works and I may or may not have picked up a “how to sew” book at the library this weekend. 🙂

Until then, I hope you find something beautiful to create (or sip!) this week.

Warmly,
Katie