Bali - The Beginning
10x8” Watercolor on paper. Ubud, Bali, 2015
About ten years ago, I traveled to Bali for two weeks for an intensive surf camp experience. It was during this time that I graduated from long board to mid length, and when I created my first watercolor paintings.
Earlier this summer, I was in New Jersey at my parents’ house, and was tickled to see that I had taped up those first watercolor paintings on the wall of my childhood bedroom. Looking at the paintings brings me back in time and space - I can clearly remember where I was and what I was trying to capture. And how difficult it was. I remember the frustration of not being able to capture on paper what was in my head or right in front of me.
Every journey begins somewhere. Of course if you compare my first paintings to my current paintings, the former were quite “bad”. I didn’t know anything about watercolor. My Ubud painting is embarrassing, my bathing suit painting, juvenile. But as Julia Cameron says, “It is impossible to get better and look good at the same time. Remember that in order to recover as an artist, you must be willing to be a bad artist. Give yourself permission to be a beginner. By being willing to be a bad artist, you have a chance to be an artist, and perhaps, over time, a very good one.”
We all start from somewhere and things simply can’t look good in the beginning without practice. My work now, almost ten years later, wouldn’t be what it is today without those early paintings and the paintings in between. When I look closer, looking at the essence of the three Bali paintings from 2015, I realize that they are beautiful and pure and capture a me that is no longer me. I’m delighted that I chose to paint my favorite bathing suit at the time - I would never think to do so now. The third painting of an orchid was the first one where I felt some pride and satisfaction. It opened a small window. I can paint, I can do this. It’s fun! Keep going.
Same with surf. In the beginning, I fell off so many times and couldn’t catch my own wave. My form was terrible. But I was having so much fun. And even though I catch more or bigger waves now, the level of stoke is the same. It’s fun! Keep going!
I kept going… and here I am, living in Hawaii, painting and teaching watercolor workshops, and surfing as often as I can. When I began thinking about offering a retreat that included painting and surfing, my heart leapt at the idea and in a small whisper, said, “Bali.” And that is how my Bali retreat was born. It is a culmination of all my learnings, my mistakes, my joy, my dreams. It’s a privilege to be able to offer it. It’s scary too. I am incredibly excited to share my watercolor practice and guidance with those of you who can join. I am beyond stoked to surf in Uluwatu again, with the same team who coached me ten years ago. Returning to Bali is almost my current self revisiting my past self and giving her encouragement and a hug for continuing the journey.
If you have any questions regarding the retreat package or registration, please feel free to reach out. Together, we can explore our painting, surfing, and perhaps healing journey. What are we healing? The parts of ourselves that say “I can’t paint” or “I’m not athletic.” The part that says “I’m not good enough.”
8x10” Watercolor and ink on paper. Uluwatu, Bali, 2015
8x10” Watercolor on paper. Uluwatu, Bali, 2015
Surfing in Uluwatu, Bali, 2015, the first week
Surfing in Uluwatu, Bali, 2015, the second week with a slightly shorter board