Written by 
Hi! I am Jacqui M. Tan from Pasig City, Philippines. I am married and a mother of two young kids. During the day, I work in the office as a Marketing Manager. Despite my busy schedule, I paint whenever I can because it is a way for me to “escape” the busyness of life, chores, and work.
It’s my creative outlet that makes me feel free and happy. My love for watercolor painting has been going on for two years now, and this is one hobby that I know I’ll be devoted to for life! But my discovery of watercolor was not immediate, and what a journey it has been to get here.
Childhood and Art
As a daughter of an architect, art and drawing has always been a part of my life. I remember when I was around seven, my father gave me a coloring book. He told me that using one color can make an object appear 3-dimensional. So with my Crayolas, I had to apply various shades and values on the coloring book. Little did I know he was teaching me quite an advanced art lesson for a seven year old, and because I learned it so young, the theory stuck to me. Thanks Dad!
The Disconnect with Art
In high school, I wanted to become an interior designer. Unfortunately and to my surprise, I did not pass the entrance exam for the course in the university. I was quite disappointed for a while, until another university I applied to accepted me in their Management course.
I felt that God was telling me that I wasn’t destined to have an art-related profession, and back then, accepting the university with the Management course was the best and logical choice as it is one of the top 3 universities in the country. I do not regret this choice and I’m glad it turned out this way. But as a result of this, I somehow stopped doing art-related activities and drawing.
Returning to Art
A few years into the workforce, I felt something was missing in my life, creatively. I suddenly found myself yearning to do something creative and enjoyable as a hobby but I couldn’t quite figure out what that was. In 2010, I found myself attending a workshop for making fashion accessories. I enjoyed it for a while, even ventured into selling, but had to stop soon in 2012 because I developed carpal tunnel syndrome, which still affects me to this day.
In October 2014, my sister-in-law Jenny told me about a watercolor workshop by Liz Lanuzo that I might be interested to attend. That piqued my interest so I joined, and oh boy, it felt like I woke up from an artistic slumber! I tried watercolors before, but I never really enjoyed them because mainly I used the wrong paper. I suddenly saw watercolors in a different light, filled with awe and curiosity. The way the paint reacted with the water and with the other colors seemed so magical. I knew right then and there that I’ve found the creative outlet that I was yearning for, and that watercolor painting was a hobby for life.
After two years of watercolor, I’m still in the process of learning and trying to improve myself as an artist, and at the same time to just let go and have fun in the process. The more I learn about watercolor, the more I see that there is still much to learn. I’m not even sure if I have a particular style of painting, because I just go with the flow. Perhaps in time I will discover my own style, or it will just show in my work.
The subject matter I prefer to paint are landscapes, nature-related, animals, and objects.
Materials
I have to admit that I am quite an art hoarder and I possess various brands of paint, paper, and brushes. But my favorite paint brands are Schmincke Horadam and Daniel Smith. For brushes, I use Princeton Neptune, Escoda Reserva (especially when using 100% cotton paper), and Creative Mark’s Mimik Synthetic Squirrel brushes.
I also like using travel brushes, and my favorites are the Isabey mop and the Rosemary brushes. For paper, Arches is my favorite to use.
Jacqui M. Tan
Instagram
Jacqui, your art is delightful. I’m glad you’ve decided to pursue it no matter the other obligations in your busy life. The paintings of dogs are wonderful – so much personality in their expressions. Sometimes we find our way through the back door – it can be a path that lets us see more honestly than all the glitz and glitter through the more traditional entrance. Best wishes to you in 2017 as you continue to explore watercolor.
Hi Sharon, thanks so much for comments and thanks for liking the dogs paintings. Best wishes to you too for 2017!
What delightful creations, Jacqui! Photography does for me what drawing does for you. Stay inspired and keep sharing. All the best!
Thank you Vibha! 🙂
Nice work – following you on instagram now
Thanks Jonathan! I’ve followed you too, I love your illustrations!
Thanks Jacqui
In my opinion you have discovered your style – in those wonderful dog portraits – love them!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Hello Jacqui, Thanks for sharing your watercolors, they are beautiful – and I especially the doggies! It sounds like you have found your calling and are enjoying where life is taking you. I started watercolor about 20 years ago, but was working full time so it got pushed in the background. I now have more time to get back into it, and I have to say the information and advice I find on the internet is so helpful to me. I will be following you on Instagram, also. Thanks again, Sharon
Hi Sharon, thank you! Glad you’ve found your way back to watercolors! 🙂
Love the way you can take art into your life…dogs, fashion and landscapes show how much talent you have, thanks for sharing
robert
Your father taught you very well! Your work is so color-sensitive! Beautiful.