“Daniel Smith Watercolors have been an integral part of my artistic journey for years. I’m drawn to the brilliance, purity, and luminous character of their colors the way they flow, blend, and transform on paper. Each pigment brings its own personality, making the painting process feel like a collaboration between water, color, and imagination. Now, as a high school teacher, I have the joy of sharing that passion with my students, encouraging them to explore color and embrace experimentation.  Being able to introduce students to world-class watercolors gives them the opportunity to experience not only the beauty of the medium, but the endless creative possibilities it offers.”

“Art has always been more than something I do, it is my passion. From a young age, drawing and painting gave me a place to slow down, observe, experiment, and make sense of the world around me. I’m drawn to color, the movement of the brush, and the quiet discipline of creating something from nothing. Over my career my journey has taken me through animation, illustration, graphic design, teaching, and coaching, and I see these not as separate paths but as different ways of understanding creativity, movement, storytelling, and expression. As a proud Chicano artist, my identity shapes my perspective, but I refuse to let labels define the boundaries of my work. I’m especially inspired by watercolor because of its transparency, luminosity, and unpredictability the way pigment flows, blends, and sometimes creates something more beautiful than I could have planned. I am a Signature Member of the Northwest Watercolor Society (NWWS) and past President, a recognition that holds special meaning in my continued journey as a watercolor artist. For me, making art is about remaining curious, taking risks, embracing the unexpected, and continuing to grow. Art is my escape, my identity, and my lifelong pursuit.”