I’ve loved art since I was a child, but I never really thought about making it a serious part of my life. It was just something I enjoyed in quiet moments.

After moving to the U.S., I had a lot of time to myself and found myself missing family more than ever. That’s when I picked up my brushes again — just to feel connected, calm, and creative. What started as a way to stay busy slowly became something more.

I used to paint mostly with oils, but during the 2020 lockdown, I tried watercolor for the first time. I ended up painting almost every day. I loved how the medium flowed freely — how it surprised me, how light it felt compared to oils (and how it didn’t leave paint everywhere :).

As I shared more of my work, my family and friends really encouraged me. Their support — the kind messages, the excitement when I showed them a new piece — gave me the push I didn’t know I needed. Slowly, I started to believe that maybe this wasn’t just a hobby after all.

Now, watercolor is part of my daily life. It helps me pause, reflect, and express myself in ways words often can’t. And the fact that others connect with what I create makes it even more special.