A great book for people who want to start painting with watercolours (but any type of material really) and are scared to. I think Terry Runyan challenges all the fears that one might have when starting or even getting back to painting. Fears of wasting supplies, of creating something ugly, or disappointing oneself. All of which is not great for a creative brain, even though it's sometimes unavoidable, but painting as any other creative craft should be fun. And this is what the book is trying to capture. Enjoying the fun of it and not fearing to be silly with it.

The book is very minimal, it doesn't go too deep (though there is definitely enough) into different supplies or techniques but it serves more as a jumping point and a motivation to start painting. Because crossing the line of putting the brush to a stark white page is sometimes the most difficult thing about it.

Painting Happiness
Creativity with Watercolors
by Terry Runyan
Quarto Publishing Group-Leaping Hare Press
Pub Date: Apr 5

I was just congratulating myself on how I had not requested any new NetGalley ARCs recently, when BOOM, "Painting Happiness" showed up. It's a "READ NOW" title for me, so I downloaded it ASAP and read it hungrily in one sitting.

I adore Terry Runyan's work; she's a favorite artist who never fails to make me smile. Just seeing this cover and reading the synopsis made me supremely happy:

"Combat stress and anxiety and release your own inner creative with this beautiful mindful watercolour book.

"In this simple and vibrant guide, hugely popular Instagram muse @TerryRunyan explores the art of watercolour through the lens of mindfulness, presenting activities and projects which you can paint along with as you allow your creative side to flourish."

My Thoughts:
"Painting Happiness" is everything I hoped for and more. It has stirred my interest in trying watercolor, and applying mindfulness to every aspect of creativity. Terry's personal story of how she healed her self-concept as an artist -- even after 30 years as a working artist -- gave me hope that I could apply her wisdom to a writing project I've hesitated to complete for feeling "not good enough."

Highly recommended for new AND seasoned artists and creatives, for the legions of Terry's fans, and for anyone interested in boosting contentedness by doing art mindfully.

Thanks to Terry, Quarto Publishing Group –Leaping Hare Press, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are all mine.

#PaintingHappiness #TerryRunyan
#QuartoPublishingGroupLeapingHarePress
#NetGalley #paintingandmindfulness #paintingandhappiness #mindfulartguide #bookstagramcommunity

I found the cover of this book to be so lively that I knew that I wanted to see more. Indeed, the pages inside are so vibrant and engaging. Anyone who has ever thought about taking up watercolors or who thinks about mindfulness would do well to give this title a look. It is packed with good information. A chapter that I found especially helpful was the one entitled “What Stops Us.” I also like the chapter on “Mindfulness and Being Present.” There is also the bonus of seeing the author’s work; I found it so cheerful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This book will be published on April 05 2022