I Wish I could Paint”
For the past few months, especially while working through my 30-day painting challenge, I kept hearing the same thing from friends and people following along:
"I wish I could paint."
It’s a sentence I’ve heard for years, but hearing it over and over again during that challenge made me start thinking more seriously about it.
The truth is, many people want to learn how to paint, but they don’t always have the time to attend a class, travel to a studio, or commit to a structured art program. What many people do have, however, are small pockets of time — an evening at home, a quiet weekend morning, or a few creative moments during the week.
Those small moments are often where creativity begins.
Over the past few months, I started thinking about how I could combine two things that mean a lot to me: creating art and helping others explore their own creativity.
That idea eventually became A Wandering Palette Art Club.
Learning Through Small Art Studies
One of the most effective ways to learn art isn’t by starting with large, complicated paintings.
It’s by working small.
Small painting studies allow artists to experiment with color, composition, and technique without the pressure of creating something large or perfect. They encourage curiosity and exploration rather than perfection.
Many artists practice this way throughout their careers, creating small studies to test ideas before developing larger works.
This concept is also reflected in a format known as ACEO artwork — Art Cards, Editions, and Originals — which are small pieces of art traditionally created at 2.5 × 3.5 inches, the same size as a trading card. Because of their size, ACEOs are perfect for experimentation, learning, and collecting.
Working small makes art feel approachable.
It removes the pressure and replaces it with curiosity.
Collect the Art — and Learn How to Create It
That philosophy became the foundation for A Wandering Palette Art Club.
Each month I take one of my paintings and turn it into a small creative study that you can try at home.
Members receive a small kit mailed directly from my studio that includes:
A personal letter sharing the story behind the artwork
A printed reference artwork
A 4 × 6 watercolor practice card divided into two sections — one side with a light outline guide to paint along with, and one blank side to create your own interpretation
A QR code providing early access to the full tutorial video
The idea is simple.
You receive a piece of artwork that you can collect, but you also receive the tools and guidance to create your own version of it.
Because art isn’t about copying something perfectly.
It’s about observation, interpretation, and learning through practice.
You might follow the outline exactly.
You might experiment with different colors.
You might paint something entirely different on the blank side.
All of those outcomes are part of the creative process.
Making Art More Accessible
I’ve always believed that creativity isn’t reserved for people with formal training or professional studios.
It’s something anyone can explore.
Sometimes all it takes is a little guidance, a small creative prompt, and permission to experiment.
That’s the idea behind A Wandering Palette Art Club — creating a space where art collectors, beginners, and curious creatives can slow down, learn something new, and enjoy making art in small moments throughout the month.
Where to Join
For now, A Wandering Palette Art Club is hosted through Patreon, where members receive the monthly kit along with early access to the tutorial videos.
You can learn more or join the club here:
