My recent watercolor painting is titled “A Leisurely Day of Rest.” This work was not inspired by a grand or dramatic scene, but by a fleeting moment from everyday life. While on vacation, I came across a quiet spot where sunlight streamed gently through the trees, casting warm rays across the leaves. There, three pigeons sat calmly on a wooden post and branch, resting as if time itself had slowed down. That simple, ordinary sight stayed with me, and I felt compelled to capture it in watercolor.

Pigeons are birds we encounter almost everywhere—on city streets, in parks, or perched on rooftops. They are ordinary, even overlooked. Yet in this painting, they symbolize the beauty of our everyday lives. What appears common and unremarkable is often full of quiet grace, if only we pause to notice it.

As I painted, I wanted to emphasize warmth and comfort. The background is filled with filtered sunlight, rendered in soft greens and yellows, to create an atmosphere of tranquility. The pigeons are not just gray; their feathers reveal hints of blue, violet, and brown, subtle colors that emerge when seen with care. Through this, I hoped to show that even the most familiar things are richer and more beautiful than we assume.

Working on this piece made me reflect: nothing we encounter is truly accidental or meaningless. What seems like a fleeting moment—a beam of light, a bird at rest, a quiet pause in the day—can actually hold deep significance. “A Leisurely Day of Rest” is therefore not only a painting of pigeons, but also a reminder that our daily lives, in all their simplicity, are filled with quiet treasures worth cherishing.
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I hope viewers of this painting will also take a moment to rediscover beauty in their own everyday scenes—the sunlight through the trees, the sway of leaves in the breeze, or a bird pausing on a fence. These small details, easily overlooked, are what make life warm, meaningful, and complete.

This semester, my students and I are exploring frogs as our main theme in colored pencil drawing. Frogs may seem like a simple subject, but they are full of charm and expression—playful, mysterious, sometimes even comical. By observing and drawing them, students not only practice careful observation but also learn how to bring out personality and life in their artwork.

One of the greatest benefits of drawing frogs is how naturally they fit into vibrant, colorful environments. Their bright eyes, flexible poses, and delicate skin textures give students endless opportunities to experiment with color blending, shading, and layering. Colored pencil, with its ability to produce both soft gradients and sharp detail, is the perfect medium for capturing the gleam in a frog’s eye, the smoothness of its skin, and the lush greens of the leaves that surround it.

Colored pencil art has its own special meaning. Unlike faster mediums, it requires patience—each layer is slowly built up, one stroke at a time. This process teaches students to slow down, to notice subtle details, and to appreciate the value of perseverance. In a world that often demands speed, drawing in colored pencil allows us to pause and stay present in the creative moment.

We plan to complete ten frog drawings this year. Just as we did last year, these works will be collected and transformed into a calendar. It’s always amazing to see how individual drawings come together as a complete set, turning into a functional artwork that can be appreciated every day of the year. For those who are curious, here is a look at last year’s calendar project:

https://www.annakoh.com/blog/energy-and-curiosity-from-12-cats

https://www.annakoh.com/blog/2025-new-calendar-have-a-great-year

It’s hard to believe that more than half of the year has already passed. But through drawing, I find myself more grounded in today, more appreciative of each quiet moment with my students. Art gives us a way to stop time, even briefly, and to celebrate the beauty of now. For that, I am grateful.

I have been preparing sample studies to show my students how to paint shiny objects in a way that feels simple and approachable. The goal is not to overwhelm them with complexity, but to help them understand the basic principles of light and reflection in a clear and enjoyable way.

We will begin with the most straightforward subject: pearls. At first glance, a pearl may look like a plain sphere, but upon closer observation, students can see how light and shadow work together to create a delicate, luminous surface. By painting pearls, they will naturally begin to notice where the highlights should be placed, how the shadows wrap around the form, and how subtle color shifts give depth and elegance.

From there, we will expand to painting iridescent beads. These allow for more creative freedom, as students can experiment with overlapping colors, rainbow-like tones, and playful variations. This stage helps them explore the fascinating ways light refracts and scatters, making each bead glow with a unique character.

Each student will create their beads on a small piece of paper. Once all of the pieces are arranged together, they will form a larger, beautiful pattern—almost like a collaborative artwork. What begins as simple, individual exercises will come together as something vibrant and unified.
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Through this project, students will not only learn how to render shiny objects but also gain a sharper eye for observing light and color. More importantly, they will experience the joy of connecting their individual work with others to create something greater. In this way, the lesson becomes more than a study of technique—it becomes an exploration of creativity, collaboration, and discovery.

Step-by-Step Instructions
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1. Draw a Circle
   Begin with a simple circle as the base for your bead or pearl. It does not need to be perfect—slight variations make the work feel more natural.
   
   
2. Add the Highlight
   Leave a small white spot, usually toward the upper area of the circle. This will represent the strongest reflection of light.
   
   
3. Shade the Form
   Add darker tones on the opposite side of the highlight. Blend smoothly so the bead looks rounded rather than flat.
   
   
4. Layer the Colors
   For pearls, use soft grays, whites, or light blues. For iridescent beads, layer rainbow-like colors—pink, green, yellow, or purple—around the edges to create a glowing effect.
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5. Refine the Details
   Deepen the shadows under the bead and softly blur the edges to suggest reflection. This final touch brings the bead to life.

​Through this project, students will not only learn how to render shiny objects but also gain a sharper eye for observing light and color. More importantly, they will experience the joy of connecting their individual work with others to create something greater. In this way, the lesson becomes more than a study of technique—it becomes an exploration of creativity, collaboration, and discovery.

Art is not simply about drawing well or poorly. The creative process carries a deeper power: it helps us discover who we are, listen to our inner voice, and continue to grow.

When we pick up a brush and choose colors, we naturally ask ourselves, “What am I feeling right now?” This moment goes beyond artistic expression—it becomes an act of self-awareness and reflection.

Even when a piece is not perfect, completing one painting after another gives us a quiet assurance: “This is my voice.” Through these steps, we learn to value personal expression and recognize our own progress, rather than comparing ourselves to others.
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This process builds judgment, self-reflection, and confidence. While other forms of study may focus on accumulating knowledge, art uniquely cultivates identity and inner balance. In this way, art is not just a hobby or profession—it is a practice that makes life healthier, more resilient, and more meaningful.

This watercolor painting reminds me that art, at its best, is like nature—simple, graceful, effortless, and beautiful. Just as flowers bloom without explanation and clouds drift freely across the sky, a painting too should carry a sense of ease. If art feels forced, overly explained, or weighed down by complication, it begins to lose its essence.

A true painting should be like music that plays gently in the background, something that brings beauty and comfort without the need for heavy interpretation. It should invite us in, not push us away with demands for understanding. In the same way that we enjoy a melody for how it makes us feel, not for the theory behind it, a painting’s power lies in its ability to evoke peace, joy, and freedom.

That is what I seek when I sit down with my brushes and watercolors: freedom, lightness, and joy. The flow of pigment across paper becomes a conversation with nature itself, one that doesn’t require words. In every wash of blue sky or the gentle tilt of a flower, I find a reminder that beauty is not complicated—it is simply present, waiting to be noticed.

This is also what I hope to share with my students. Art is not about perfection or rigid rules; it is about finding a personal rhythm, a sense of ease, and learning to trust the simple act of creation. When they allow themselves to paint freely, without fear of judgment or overthinking, students discover not only beauty on paper but also joy within themselves.
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In the end, a watercolor painting should feel like a breath of fresh air—natural, unforced, and full of life. That is the kind of art I wish to create, and the kind of joy I wish to pass on.