We were lucky to catch up with Jaime Reynolds recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jaime thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I’ve been able to turn my creative work into a full-time living, but let me tell you, it’s been anything but a straight path. It certainly didn’t happen overnight.

Back when I was working in event production, my life revolved around constant travel and long hours. Then, I had my first child, and everything shifted. I wanted to be home, to be present. I quit my job and started painting during nap times—mostly to reclaim a little piece of myself. Motherhood is amazing, but it can also feel like you’re disappearing under all the roles you’re suddenly expected to play. Painting became my way of putting myself back together, of pulling threads of joy and creativity through my day.

At first, my watercolor practice was a place for me to relax and let my brain wander, but I started sharing my work on Instagram. Those posts turned into a business with many messy starts and stops. I jumped into the wedding industry, designing custom invitations, eventually starting relationships with wedding planners through Instagram and wedding trade shows. The work picked up fast— which was exciting but also overwhelming. Weddings are high-stakes and high-pressure. The client demands are intense especially when the budget starts going up, and after a while, I realized this wasn’t what I wanted long-term. Especially with two kids, I felt like I couldn’t keep up with the schedule. Another thing I didn’t like was that I was starting from scratch on every project. Artists have such an opportunity to license their portfolio (where you create art once and can sell it over and over again). That idea really appealed to me, and I started looking into art licensing a lot more.

That’s when I stepped away from the wedding industry and I started focusing on what truly excites me: collaborating with brands, creating patterns for products and wall art that people can connect with. I wasn’t able to pivot quickly, again, slow and steady has been my pace :) For licensing, I decided to hire a licensing agent to be my coach. With her feedback, I took one whole year to create a portfolio that I am so super proud of and love pitching. The whole process was incredible, and really forced me to lean into my visual language and figure out my unique voice. My art reflects my inner journey—my experiences as a mother, partner, artist, and human navigating imperfection and beauty. By creating, I am constantly learning about myself: what I value, what moves me, and how I engage with the world. Each piece, project, and collaboration connects me to my true self and reveals another layer of who I am.

It was also during this year that I started teaching in-person watercolor workshops. Teaching has been a game-changer—there’s something magical about helping others find their creative voice and the confidence to put paint to the page. It’s helpful to have many revenue streams since I’ve found that each one naturally ebbs and flows.

This journey has been anything but linear. Balancing a creative business with raising kids has been slow and full of recalibration. I’m the kind of person who likes to go all-in, but having children forced me to slow down and rethink what “success” looks like. And honestly? That’s been good for me. It taught me patience, intention, and how to focus on what truly matters.

If I could go back, I don’t think I’d try to speed things up. Every stumble and milestone shaped me and my work in ways I wouldn’t trade. This process is about discovery—finding your rhythm, staying curious, and being brave enough to follow what lights you up.

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 turned to watercolors after having my first kid as a way to work navigate the ever-present and sometimes overwhelming themes of perfectionism, self-doubt, and control that so many of us face.

My work is earthy, feminine, and organic. I love featuring botanical illustrations, animal motifs, and intuitive patterns. There’s something deeply powerful about celebrating the beauty of imperfection, and that philosophy is woven into every piece I create.

Most days I’m in the studio working on original watercolor paintings I sell at our monthly open studio tours here in Austin, Texas. Many of my originals are uploaded and sold as high-quality prints as a source of *somewhat* passive income… is anything actually passive??

Hosting both online and in-person watercolor workshops is one of my favorite ways to connect with others. These sessions aren’t just about learning techniques—they’re about creating space for women to step away from the demands of their daily lives and reconnect with themselves. I’ve seen firsthand how a simple watercolor practice can bring a sense of calm and clarity to a busy mind.

My passion for illustration and pattern making has led to collaborations with brands like ZOLA.com, Jenni Kayne, Auberge Resorts, and Deny Designs for Urban Outfitters. These experiences have deepened my commitment to creating high-quality artwork for the design lover. My surface patterns and illustrations are available for licensing, bringing an elevated eye to home and wellness products.

One of the most fulfilling parts of my journey has been building a community of women seeking relaxation and self-discovery through creative practices. There’s a special magic in coming together, learning from each other, and making space for ourselves amidst the chaos of life. My Substack has become a home for this connection. You can subscribe for free or upgrade to a paid plan for live-online seasonal watercolor workshops and monthly inspirations dripped into your inbox every full moon 🌝. My favorite feature of the upgraded plan is the ability to comment on posts and the opportunity to get to know each other through these live meet-ups! 

If you’re interested click here https://jaimereynolds.substack.com/

My journey is all about finding connections—whether through watercolor, meaningful art pieces, or projects that resonate on a deeper level.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is deeply rooted in the mission of fostering connection—to oneself, to others, and to the imperfect beauty of life. For me, watercolor is more than an art form; it’s a tool for self-discovery and a way to create space for reflection and calm in a world that often feels overwhelming.

At the heart of my work is the belief that creativity isn’t about perfection—it’s about process, exploration, and presence. I’m driven by the desire to help others break free from the pressure to get it “right” and instead embrace the joy of simply creating. This is especially true for women who are juggling so many roles and often feel burned out or disconnected from themselves. I see my workshops, artwork, and collaborations as opportunities to offer moments of reconnection.

By teaching others to trust their intuition and let go of self-doubt through watercolor, I hope to inspire a broader sense of ease and confidence that spills over into other areas of their lives.

Ultimately, my mission is about more than just art. It’s about building a community where people feel seen, supported, and encouraged to trust their intuition and explore the perfectly imperfect beauty of their own stories.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the idea that success comes from making small, measurable steps toward a carefully plotted goal. While that approach has its place, I’ve realized that it’s not how I want to live or create—and it’s certainly not how magic happens.

For a long time, I would take big dreams and shrink them into smaller, more “possible” goals. I’d carve out an actionable path, break everything into tidy little steps, and move forward with uncertainty but a plan. But over time, this started to feel like an engineered version of growth rather than true expansion. It felt at odds with the way I teach others to trust their intuition, to follow the breadcrumbs the universe lays out, and to step boldly into the unknown.

Lately, I’ve been unlearning the need to play it small and safe. I’m embracing the idea of swinging big, of leaning into the unknown, and of creating space for possibility that’s uncharted and exhilarating. It’s about stepping into the dark with curiosity and trust, knowing that even if I don’t have a clear roadmap, the act of moving forward will reveal what I need to know.

I’m inspired by Rebecca Solnit’s reflection on darkness and the unknown:

“In the dark we find ourselves and each other, if we reach out, if we keep going, if we listen, if we go deeper. The sensuality of night is never so clear, darkness descending like velvet to wrap around you, enclose you in its cocoon… Darkness is generative, and generation, biological and artistic both, requires this amorous engagement with the unknown, this entry into the realm where you do not quite know what you are doing and what will happen next. Creation is always in the dark because you can only do the work of making by not quite knowing what you’re doing, by walking into darkness, not staying in the light. Ideas emerge from edges and shadows to arrive in the light, and though that’s where they may be seen by others, that’s not where they are born. Sometimes love is darkness; sometimes the glare is what needs to be extinguished. Turn off the lights and rest.”

– http://rebeccasolnit.net/

This resonates deeply with me as an artist, a teacher, and a human trying to live fully. The most beautiful and meaningful things in my life have come not from knowing, but from leaping. So here I am, unlearning the urge to stay small and contained, and embracing the generative power of the unknown.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jaimereynolds.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimereynolds_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JaimeReynoldsWatercolor
• Other: Substack: https://jaimereynolds.substack.com/

Image Credits

https://www.instagram.com/kendall_mills_/