hey!
my business didn't always look like this
In fact, I didn't even pick up watercolor until I was 23 years old and on the cusp of quitting my soul-sucking desk job.
And that's why I believe I'm here.
I'm just a born-and-raised Southern California girl with nothing more than some paint brushes, her laptop and passion. I’m proud to have built the creative business of my dreams where I’ve been able to serve hundreds of thousands of people across the world. What do I do exactly? Through my best-selling how-to watercolor books, YouTube channel, and online courses, I help people like you get their hands dirty and wake up the passion in their life.
You know the kid that's constantly doodling at school? That was me. Every notebook, desk surface or arm was covered in cursive and right eyeballs at all times. As I got older, the doodling never died, it just transferred to my server books while I was waiting tables at a small pizza shop in downtown Chicago. It wasn't 'til a friend asked me to write out placecards for each guest at her wedding that I thought, "huh...doodling can be a career?!"
In 2013 I launched my Etsy shop with art prints, hit the ground running booking wedding stationery jobs and eventually started teaching in-person workshops for calligraphy and watercolor. This is when my audience on Instagram started blowing up! As you can see, people like taking videos in these creative workshops and would tag me on their IG. That helped grow my teaching business tremendously and I found my greatest passion: teaching!
After taking my in-person workshops all around the world, I was contacted by Brit+Co to teach an online watercolor class. Flying up to San Francisco to be on camera at a pretty big Media company felt pretty cool and I later found out that I had my mom's genetics for loving being on camera 😅!
In 2018 I was finishing up my WORLD TOUR for my book Everyday Watercolor, finishing up the manuscript for my second book, Everyday Watercolor Flowers, pregnant and launching my first ever online signature course: Pen To Press! The week I launched that course was the first week I ever did over $100K in just 7 days. John decided to quit his full-time job and help me with my business and we had our son Myles shortly after!
Just 3 weeks after giving birth to Myles, I was designing my end-cap with Blue Sky Planners for Staples, creating my next signature course Brand Plus Brand, and beginning to write my third book. Since then, my business has drastically changed. I no longer feel tied to my desk creating custom work and now with the YouTube Channel, my art community and other courses that have popped up along the way, I get to spend most of my days painting what lights me up, teaching watercolor tutorials and hanging out with my beautiful family.
How does this sound?
My sweet boy, Myles is the one who helped me earn this title
John and I have been together since I was 19!! He's also the video/YouTube guy around here
Probably the most obvious title I wear, but discovering creativity is something we all have within us
I have the best group of girl friends and they all call me "JennaVIEVE"
I like to call myself "The Visionary" rather than "CEO," of a 7-figure business
My 40-page watercolor companion to help you find my best tips, resources and tutorials on the topic of watercolor!
The Complete Beginner's Guide to Watercolor
Don't leave without these!
A free class on how to scan, digitize and edit your artwork. I'll walk you through the equipment you need and the tools for cleaning up your artwork!
How to Digitize Your Artwork
After a decade of entrepreneurship, I've learned a thing or two about leadership, email marketing, social media, you name it!
My best business tips
Since buying our 1950s dream home in February of 2022, we've been working with Designer Jen of California Casa to remodel our dream art studio and home. Take a look at the transformation of our back house (aka studio) and get a peek into our world in this beautiful space.
Hideous, outdated cabinet boxes and hardware...
BYEEEE!!!
The old bathroom had the weirdest layout, including a two-foot step incline to get inside.
Ahhh, much better. Having open shelves throughout the space to display fun thrifted objects and art was a must! Also, how about that Zia Tile in the bathroom?!
We debated for weeks on whether or not to paint that ceiling white. I'm SO glad we did!
With sky lights and the added windows, I can paint and we can film our tutorials with gorgeous light!
The brass detail on the doors and the beautiful landscaping truly makes this space a full experience when you walk in.
We had custom built shelving, the movable paint island and hidden Murphy bed all done by MacBeth Millwork.
This isn't junk mail, people. This is my best advice on creativity and business, tips on developing your style and so much more delivered every week!
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