How watercolour builds the community you never knew you needed
If someone had told me years ago that picking up a paintbrush, and getting loose with watercolours would not only shape my career but also introduce me to some of the most incredible people I now call friends, I would’ve laughed. But here we are today.
From strangers to friends, connected by watercolour
It all started with a simple idea, a little introduction to flower painting and watercolour in my Let’s Paint Flowers Facebook group. Nothing fancy, just a place to get people experimenting with florals and having fun.
But what I didn’t expect? That tiny idea would turn into a suite of courses and a membership... and a creative community that feels like home.
When I first launched Watercolour Bootcamp (now The Watercolour Academy), back in 2020, everything felt uncertain, it was lockdown. But through the power of watercolour painting, I created a space where artists from around the world, who had never met before, would form real, lasting friendships.
People showed up to learn, but they stayed because of the connections. They shared their struggles, celebrated their wins, and lifted each other up when self-doubt crept in (which, let’s be real, happens to all of us). And we were inspired by each other's genius. Before I knew it, this wasn’t just a course, it was a creative family.
Your art is not just a pretty picture
You would have heard me say it before, that flower painting and design go beyond "pretty pictures". It’s about processing emotions, taking a breath, and permitting ourselves to just create.
This is true for design, and true for your final outcome, but it's also true for just being present in the act or creating.
Creativity is a bridge between people, a way to say, “I see you” without words.
Flower painting and mastering watercolour is about more than just a skill
So many people start painting flowers because they love the idea of creating beautiful things (or let’s be honest—because floral prints sell well!). And watercolour is a perfect medium for florals. But if you’ve been part of this journey with me, you’ll know it’s about so much more than that.
Painting flowers in watercolour is about:
Letting go – Allowing the paint to move freely, embracing imperfections, and trusting the process. Mental well-being – Creating just for the sake of it, finding calm in the brushstrokes, and giving yourself space to breathe. Inner-child joy – Reconnecting with that playful, carefree creativity we all had as kids before perfectionism snuck in. Belonging – Knowing that no matter where you are in the world, there’s a group of creatives ready to welcome and encourage you.
Art is always welcoming. It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from, how “good” you think you are, or what your goals are—there’s a place for you here.
If you want to make a start join my free 60 minute workshop florals and fizz
Watercolour and flower painting built a community that feels like home
Every time I see members of my courses, workshops and membership sharing their work, cheering each other on, and forming real friendships, I’m reminded why I do this. It’s more than just a course—it’s a movement. A creative home. Proof that art has the power to bring people together in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.
So tell me… were you there at the start? Did you join the original Watercolour Bootcamp? Or have you found your way to this amazing community along the way?
I’d love to hear your story—drop a comment below and let’s celebrate the friendships, the breakthroughs, and all the wonderful things we’ve built together. 
Natasha xo
