Driven by curiosity

Watercolour and story by Aline Mariah

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For my grandmother's 90th birthday, I wanted to give her something truly meaningful. I chose a photograph of her in her youth and turned it into a watercolor portrait. It was the most heartfelt way I could honor her story, her resilience, and everything she represents to me.

I live in a small town in the south of Brazil. I have a degree in Advertising and have always filled my free time with creative activities—photography, writing, crochet, scrapbooking, flower pressing. Drawing and painting, however, have always been major challenges for me. I often feel I lack the natural artistic vision that great artists seem to possess. And yet, this challenge doesn't discourage me—it inspires me to explore areas where I don't naturally feel confident.

Watercolor, for me, is more than a technique. It's a way to slow down, to be present, and to embrace the beauty that lies in imperfection. As someone who has always struggled with perfectionism and the need for control, painting with watercolor has been deeply therapeutic and transformative.

Driven by curiosity, I've taken in-person classes in my hometown, completed short courses on YouTube and learning platforms, and I regularly read what the Watercolor Academy shares. This hobby began as a simple desire to reconnect with my creative side. Today, it's become an essential part of my life project.

I dream of continuing to develop my skills and, one day, using my retirement years to paint portraits of the people I love and moments I want to preserve forever.

Winning this opportunity would be a step toward the future I envision. I'm excited about the chance to improve my technique, learn from inspiring professionals, and discover new ways to tell stories through color, light, and emotion.