This weekend is Thanksgiving weekend. With so many unexpected things happened in 2016, it can be harder to be thankful. But being an artist, I believe we pay our appreciation and express our thankfulness to the world around us through the unique visual language of painting and drawing!

Besides commission, most of the time when I paint something because I appreciate the subject matter. It can be landscape or portrait. I don't really think about how well can I sell this painting. Not that it doesn't matter, I am all for being a financially successful painter. What I mean is that I don't paint for money. I painted the above portrait of my friend Gooch solely because I find his face an interesting subject and I appreciate all the details that age has been given him. I love how the painting turns out. This portrait might not be sold, but that's not why I paint it.

Be thankful is one of the best way to make yourself happy. Because when you do that, you starting to see how much you have as oppose to what's missing.

Art is one of the best way to express our thankfulness - to an event, to a place, or to someone. When you paint a subject you are thankful for, you allow yourself to connect with it in a deeper level by spending time looking at the detail, think about the story, and how to retell the story in your own way.

I am thankful for the subjects I get to paint. As I enjoy painting them, they helped me to pay attention to the beauties around me. I am also thankful for you, it has been a wonderful journey with you and Watercolor Wednesday. Thank you for your support by reading my newsletter/blog and sharing my website with others. And for some of you who came to my demo or workshop, thank you! I wish you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and families!