Capturing Beauty on a Small Canvas

Capturing Beauty on a Small Canvas

This year, I continue a project I began last year: creating postcard-sized watercolor paintings. For me, this work is more than simply making small pictures; it is about capturing the beauty of the world within the intimate frame of a tiny surface.
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I paint these works spontaneously, often in a very short amount of time. I enjoy this immediacy—how the brush moves quickly across the paper, leaving marks that feel honest and alive. In those fleeting moments, the light, the air, and even my own emotions are recorded in watercolor. Unlike larger works that require long planning and refinement, these small paintings hold a freshness that only spontaneity can offer.

Watercolor, by its very nature, carries its own surprises. The way water spreads, the way colors merge or resist each other, the accidental blooms that appear—all of these are gifts I could never fully control. This unpredictability is part of its beauty, and each time I paint, I discover something new. Through this process, I not only remember the joy of painting but also learn to embrace the unexpected.
These postcard-sized works are not just exercises. They will serve many purposes: exhibitions, teaching, and even publications. For my students, they are proof that one does not need endless hours to create something meaningful and beautiful. For viewers, they are reminders that great emotion can be carried even within a small frame.

Most importantly, through these daily practices, I gather countless small secrets and tips—insights that only reveal themselves with experience. Sometimes it feels as though I have uncovered a hidden treasure: the way water behaves on paper, the rhythm of a wash, the sudden harmony of unexpected colors. The more I paint, the more of these secrets are revealed, and the happier I become.

That is why I believe it is essential to paint as much as possible, every single day. Even one small painting a day, over time, grows into something much larger—a body of work, a habit of creativity, and a deeper connection to art itself.
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In the end, these small watercolors are not just paintings. They are a way of seeing, a way of remembering, and a way of living with gratitude. Each one is a reminder that beauty exists everywhere, waiting to be captured in even the smallest frame.

​Exploring the beauty of postcard-sized watercolor paintings—spontaneous daily works that capture fleeting moments, reveal hidden secrets of watercolor, and inspire joy for exhibitions, teaching, and beyond.

When we try too hard to perfect every detail in a painting, we often lose the very joy that led us to paint in the first place. Overthinking, controlling every brushstroke, and obsessing over precision can drain the creative energy that makes art come alive. Once joy is lost, the painting becomes heavy, and the freshness that watercolor naturally carries begins to fade.

Painting never lies. It reveals the artist’s heart directly. A forced or overly calculated painting feels stiff and cold, while a work created in joy radiates warmth and truth. This is why, as artists, we must treasure our inner state as much as our technical skills. A happy and relaxed heart produces art that breathes, art that speaks honestly to others.

When I paint with happiness, I feel that the viewers also sense that same lightness and delight. The brushstrokes carry energy that cannot be faked, a kind of silent communication between artist and audience. Art, after all, is not only about the image we see but about the feeling it conveys.

For this reason, in the second half of this year, I have chosen to simplify my painting style even further. By letting go of excessive detail, I create space for freedom and spontaneity. My goal is not to impress with technical perfection but to preserve the pure joy of painting. Each stroke becomes a reminder that art is meant to be experienced, not controlled.
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In this journey, I am learning that simplicity does not mean emptiness—it means clarity. It means making room for joy, for honesty, and for beauty to shine without resistance. And as long as I paint with this spirit, I believe my work will continue to grow—not only in skill, but in the ability to connect heart to heart.