Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Debbie Walker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Debbie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

After painting my entire lifetime (I considered myself a closet painter and never displayed my art it sat in boxes or was given away) 14 years ago, my partner had come across a few pieces of my art on the floor, asked if he could keep it and posted it on his FB account. I had never publicy shared my art and was horrified, and felt like surely I would be embarrassed when everyone saw my art. To my shock, everyone was so supportive, kind, started asking for me to paint things for them, teach them, commissions. Of course in that moment, I assumed they were all being polite, months later, I started sharing a few more things, feeling more comfortable and actually enjoying sharing my art. I felt there was a space for me to do more with my art and decided to begin making cards for Amazon which I sold for 8+ years. This then lead to Etsy, prints, journals, Society 6 merchandise, teaching, Zoom classes, an eBook, private collectors, large art events, and most recently in March, of 2023 a YouTube channel which I still am shocked took off and was so well received. Over the last year I have grown, learned, met so many wonderful artists.

My passion has always been supporting others, encouraging and inspiring others in my previous careers and I felt this was an additional way I Could do this, and bring beauty into the world.

This July, I will be coming out with my own custom HOT PINK brush line and pigment palette, with Craftamo and MAB Watercolors. Earlier this year I sold out my Watercolors & Wildflowers ceramic palettes, three times within a few days, I have had numerous collabs and affiliates over this last year, and my huge goal of creating a Kajabi Online course which I launched last week (alas no sales yet). This is huge for me as I am not technically skilled and took me the entire year to figure out (and a loan)

I smile everyday reading emails and comments from my followers and students, how much I have encouraged them, how much they are now enjoying watercolors, and inspired as well as finding they really do have talent. This tells me I am doing the right thing for now.

My favorite comment is my art makes them smile, brings beauty and inspiration to them daily, they feel they can do this and enjoy this medium and never thought they could. I teach in a way that is easy for them to enjoy.

I hope to create a book and am asked often about one. I have no idea where this will take me, my hope is I Can continue to inspire and take the fear, the intimidation out of this beautiful medium and create fun, discovery, learning to more students.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I included this in the last comment. The challenges I do my best to solve is taking the intimidation out of watercolors, and make it fun, inspiring, and encouraging to many who gave up on art and felt they had no talent for it and now cant wait to try things I share.
I believe what sets me apart is I teach in a VERY down to earth way that reflects how I learned best and honestly is all I can create at this time. I do not have editing skills, professional videographers, apps, I have to share my bloopers, uh oh’s, and this seems to appeal to many (and im sure does not others) I make mistakes, and go with them, I teach in a way that we feel like friends, and we are sitting together in my studio, playing, creating, and discovering wonderful watercolor magic. No pressure, no intimidation, lots of fun, patience and play. This is the message I hear over and over which I had not thought about its just who I am and how I teach. I do my best to answer ALL possible comments, emails, offer free drawings, and tools and accomodate everyone wherever they are and with the supplies they have. The main message is lets have fun with this and to meet them wherever they are physically, financially, artistically.

I do hope to be able to get better, to share more, classes, books, products that are beautiful and inspiring.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

To enjoy their style, where they are at, the beauty of art, wherever they might be with it. Not to compare to others, to paint with joy I can always feel it and see it, when students are painting from their heart and joy vs pressure, nervousness, judgment around their art.

It breaks my heart to hear from students a past teacher told them how inadequate they were, to give up art they are no good and not supported. We all have our own style of painting, and thats what I love to see. Art is about taking creative licens, a freedom to paint what you feel and love painting, makes you feel good. Not about rules, good/bad.

Purchase what you can afford, take advantage of opportunities to sit and paint, draw, create whenever possible. DONT COMPARE to others, YOU have your own beautiful way of seeing things and expressing them that is perfectly imperfect and doesnt have to be understood or accepted by anyone else. Study art concepts that interest you, and follow what you enjoy.

Show your art, share your art, You n ever know how many others will be touched by what you create and inspired by you.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

This is an interesting one to me, because I NEVER imagined I would have the following that I have developed. Do what you love, dont paint for the approval, have some structure but do it with joy, followers feel that authenticity and when you may not be perfect or look like other artists, or are trying to make the masses happy it stifles your creativity.

I have those that like me, my art and many that dont. I have to remind myself daily that its not why I do what I do, I do what I love and there are g oing to be others that dont enjoy what I do, and many more that do. I am grateful everyday for the connections, and kindness.

Social media can be BRUTAL, you have to let it go, and be your best supporter :-)
I have always found that people love realness. You will always have negative people, you will also have more that love you.

Focus on those that you connect with, catch yourself when you are doing things you feel pressured to for likes, and when you stop doing things you really enjoy because someone didnt like it. Just be YOU, that is what has worked for me.

All else will come if you stay with what you enjoy, bring value, and your passionate about what your diong vs what you feel you have to do to please everyone. They will know anyway :-)

Dont let Social media dictate your joy, and become a slave to it. Use social media for your purposes, to learn, grow, share, connect, and have fun. As soon as it starts dictating my life, is no longer enjoyable, is taking away from my peace, I take a break and will no longer participate. Its a fine line and one I have to monitor daily.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://debbiewalkerart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie_walker_art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebbieWalkerArt/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DebbieWalkerArtmadeeasy
• Other: I also have my online course on Kajabi https://debbie-walker.mykajabi.com/offers/RkXzKGF6
  Society 6 https://society6.com/deborahthomsenwalkerfineart/all
  Etsy https://etsy.me/3A9GUjO
  Free ebook https://tr.ee/b5mjIs9fyF

Image Credits

Leo Lam Photography