Enjoy this watercolor demo video with Cindy Briggs. Here’s a quick Q&A:

Why do you make art?
I think it’s in my DNA. I come from a family of artists and it’s always been encouraged. Now I get to encourage others.

How long have you been painting?
Since kindergarten, art was always my favorite subject. I painted with my grandmothers and especially my aunt.

Did you have formal art training?
Yes – I started in Fine Art, then earned a BA in Communication Arts with a minor in Art History. Then I worked in advertising for 15 years, before going full-time with my art. I also take numerous art workshops.

Are you a working artist or a hobbyist?
I’m a working artist with online programs, I teach for the Smithsonian, University of Utah, Terracotta, Watercolor Live, watercolor societies, and other organizations. I’ve been leading workshops in Europe for over 20 years. This summer I’m co-teaching with Theresa Goesling in France, then we go to Sicily in the fall.

What inspires you?
I’m a wanderer. Wherever I go, I’m open to inspiration and I know when I see something that calls to me to paint. I love painting nature’s stone cathedrals, flowers, portraits and European architecture.

What kind of music do you listen to while painting?
I tend to enjoy the quiet. My mind is immersed in the painting process.

Have you had a mentor?
Yes, my aunt, Ellie Weakley, still mentors me.

Do you paint every day?
Most days. But then life happens.

Do you paint one piece at a time or work on several at the same time?
I tend to paint one painting at a time. Sometimes I’ll fine-tune and finesse paintings in a batch.

Do you create a concept piece first?
I’ll often do a simple design study.

Do you prefer painting in studio or plein air?
I really like both. I love getting out and painting en plein air, traveling and exploring new possible subjects, experiencing the feel of a place. Usually on location I’ll paint in watercolor sketchbooks. Then, it’s truly comfortable in my studio, with my table and lights, where I’ll paint larger paintings and teach online.

How many core colors do you use?
I have 18 DANIEL SMITH colors on my palette and usually select a few for color harmony within a painting.

Tubes, pans or sticks?
I use tube paints and squeeze them into my palette generously.

When do you know that your piece is finished?
I often hear Rex Brandt when I’m painting. He said, “a painting is usually finished before you think it is.” It’s good to pause along the way and see if you are there yet.

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Join us online each week for an Up Close and Personal Conversation with Daniel Smith CEO and Owner, John Cogley and guest artists from around the world. On Thursdays (2:00pm Pacific), John highlights various features of our products and answers your questions. On Fridays (10:30am Pacific), a guest artist follows up to share how they incorporate those features into their art. Click here for the upcoming week’s Zoom links.

Check our Facebook page for news about upcoming guest artists or to watch past replays. Each Zoom meeting is also recorded and shared on our YouTube channel. La traducción al español está disponible – selecciona el canal en español en Zoom.