The World of Watercolor Painting with Birgit O’Connor

Today, I’m joined by performance artist Sha Sha Higby—a truly unique creative whose work blends watercolor, sculpture, costume design, and shadow performance into immersive, emotional storytelling.   We talk about her upcoming shadow puppet performance Shadow of the Fox, premiering at the San Francisco International Arts Festival, and dive into her fascinating creative process—one that values intuition, spontaneity, and transformation over rigid technique.   What makes this conversation especially powerful is how our approaches overlap. Whether through watercolor or performance, we both explore how to create depth, atmosphere, and a sense of journey—rather than simply rendering what we see.   Upcoming Performances Shadow of the Fox • May 3 & 10 at 2 PM • San Francisco International Arts Festival (Monkey Brains, Mission District) • 🎟 Discount Code: 20DISCSHADOW https://sfarts.org/event/sha-sha-higby-presents-shadow-of-the-fox-world-premiere-3c5jWov5Vwxw4vZwrhYJwm   July 27 – Throckmorton Theater, Mill Valley   In This Episode We explore: How Sha Sha blends watercolor, ink, costume, and movement into one expressive language • Creating from intuitive flow instead of structured planning • Why rawness and imperfection often hold more power than technical precision • The role of transformation in both painting and performance   Her Creative Process Sha Sha’s work moves fluidly across mediums: Painting & Textile Techniques • Airbrush layering using screens for soft gradations • Traditional sumi ink influences • Eco-dyeing silk with eucalyptus leaves and natural materials   Animation & Digital Work • Layered drawing for organic animation • Digital design combined with physical cutting (Cricut)   Shadow Puppetry • Working with negative space as its own subject • Hand-built puppets with wire armatures and light projection • Reimagining traditional shadow theater with contemporary materials   Influences & Background Performed internationally, including multiple shows in Japan • Work featured in museums in Vietnam, Oakland, and Bolinas • Studied Japanese Noh theater and Indonesian shadow puppetry • Early training in sewing, handcraft, and detailed handmade work Her performance style is slow, meditative, and deeply transformative—drawing inspiration from Noh and Butoh theater to create emotional, dreamlike experiences.   What We Talk About (Deeper Themes) This conversation goes beyond technique and into the heart of creativity: Creating depth instead of surface • Letting go of realism to allow transformation • The power of negative space—both in art and in life • Bringing the unseen, intuitive, and emotional into form Sha Sha beautifully describes her work as a way of making the invisible visible—something I think many artists can deeply relate to.   A Note on Process One of my favorite takeaways: Creativity doesn’t have to be controlled or perfectly planned. Sometimes the most meaningful work comes from allowing things to unfold—layer by layer, moment by moment.   Sha Sha’s Website http://www.shashahigby.com/New_Site_SourceFiles/index.html   Sha Sha on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shashahigby/   If You Enjoyed This Episode Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, watercolor, and the artistic process.   To view the visual, go to https://www.youtube.com/live/7C8o0pbjTuo?si=kP03_rOrkwEBJxZC  

In Part 3 of The Creative Seasons of an Artist, we explore the season many artists quietly fear — the plateau. This is the stage where growth slows. Ideas feel distant. Momentum fades. You sit down to paint and nothing feels new. The plateau can feel discouraging. You may wonder if you’ve lost inspiration, reached your limit, or stalled in your progress. But what if the plateau isn’t stagnation? What if it’s consolidation? In this episode, we talk about: • Why growth often becomes invisible before it becomes permanent • The frustrating gap between seeing better and painting better • Why many artists quit during this season • How repetition and refinement quietly build mastery • What to do when you feel creatively stuck The plateau is not a failure. It’s a quiet strengthening. It’s where endurance forms, where perception sharpens, and where artistry deepens beyond excitement. If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or uninspired — this episode is for you. Stay. The season will shift.

In Part 2 of The Creative Seasons of an Artist, we step into the Growth Season — the stage where things begin to click. This is the season of momentum. Your washes start behaving the way you hoped they would. Composition begins to make more sense. You see improvement — and you feel it. But growth isn’t just about getting better. It’s about developing rhythm. In this episode, we talk about: • What creative momentum really feels like • Why mistakes increase as you grow — and why that’s a good sign • The shift from “Can I paint?” to “What kind of painter am I becoming?” • Avoiding creative overload and too many influences • Recognizing your instincts and artistic preferences • Building strength through repetition The Growth Season is exciting, messy, and expansive. It’s the time when you experiment more boldly, notice color and form everywhere, and begin trusting your eye. This isn’t the season for shrinking. It’s the season for building muscle — creatively and mentally. If you’re feeling energized, curious, and slightly overwhelmed all at once, you may be exactly where you need to be. Growth isn’t linear. But it is powerful. View Online Courses Youtube

The Creative Seasons of an Artist – A 4-Part Watercolor Podcast Series What season are you in as an artist? In this four-part podcast series from The World of Watercolor, we explore the creative stages every artist experiences — from beginner hesitation to long-term reinvention. This season covers: • The courage to begin painting • Overcoming comparison and self-doubt • Building momentum and artistic rhythm • Working through creative plateaus • Rediscovering joy and redefining success Whether you are new to watercolor or have been painting for years, understanding your creative season can help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Artistic growth is not a straight line. It’s seasonal. Join Birgit O’Connor as she reflects on the emotional and practical realities of developing as a watercolor artist — and why every stage matters.  Online courses Join the mailing list

In Part 4 of The Lonely Artist series, we ask the big questions. Are all artists a little crazy? Can you really be successful as an artist? Can you support yourself doing this? And perhaps most importantly — do you actually want to? In this episode, we talk about: • The myth of the “crazy artist” • The emotional highs and lows of creative life • Art as healing and mental health support • The difference between loving to paint and choosing the life of an artist • Financial sustainability and realistic expectations • What success truly means in a creative career Being an artist is not just about talent. It’s about resilience. It’s about clarity. It’s about deciding what kind of life you want. You don’t have to starve. You don’t have to suffer. And you don’t have to fit someone else’s definition of success. This conversation closes the series by asking one honest question: What does being an artist mean to you?

In Part 3 of The Lonely Artist series, we talk about something practical — but deeply emotional. Do you even have a place to paint? What if your “studio” is the corner of the laundry room? What if your supplies are tucked away in a closet and hard to reach? What if you feel isolated not just emotionally — but physically? In this episode, we explore: • Feeling stifled when you don’t have a dedicated art space • Painting in shared or temporary environments • The emotional weight of not having room for your creativity • Creating a portable or flexible home studio • Overcoming the belief that you “can’t really be an artist” • Giving yourself permission to claim space — even if it’s small Being an artist doesn’t require a perfect studio. It requires intention. Sometimes it begins at the kitchen table. Sometimes in the laundry room. Sometimes in a quiet corner no one else notices. But the act of making space — physically and emotionally — is where identity begins. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite have room to be an artist, this conversation is for you. Online courses

In Part 2 of The Lonely Artist series, we move from isolation into connection. We talk about what it really means to grow as an artist — not just technically, but emotionally and professionally. How do you find your tribe? What if workshops aren’t for you? How do you continue learning when you feel unsure or stuck? We explore: • How to grow as an artist at your own pace • Finding and building creative community • Imposter syndrome and how it quietly shapes our confidence • Why workshops aren’t the only path forward • Pursuing your creative journey in a way that feels sustainable • Looking for meaningful creative support • Women in watercolor and shared experience • The realities of marketing yourself as an artist If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing this alone, this conversation is for you. You don’t have to stop painting just because you feel unsure. You don’t have to follow someone else’s path. And you don’t have to grow alone.

In today’s episode (Part 1), I sat down with several of my artist members for a heartfelt conversation about something many creatives quietly experience — the life of a lonely artist. We spoke openly about imposter syndrome (because it keeps resurfacing), painting by yourself, and what it truly means to call yourself an artist — even if it’s “just” a hobby. We explored: • How to get started when you feel stuck • What to do when life feels grey • Why live workshops may not work for everyone • Starting your own art group • Finding a safe creative community • How to rise up and paint when confidence is low This conversation only scratches the surface. In future episodes, we’ll continue unpacking what it means to pursue art in a way that feels authentic, sustainable, and supportive. If you’ve ever questioned whether you belong as a watercolor artist — this conversation is for you. Online courses

In this episode, I share a short segment from my Nature’s Abstraction exploring how intuition can guide composition in floral abstraction. Rather than planning or arranging elements in advance, we look at how to listen for what the painting needs — noticing movement, balance, and where the energy wants to settle. This approach allows composition to emerge naturally, through awareness and response rather than rules. If you’ve ever felt unsure about where to place forms, when to stop adjusting, or how to trust your instincts, this episode offers a gentler way forward — one that values curiosity, observation, and letting go of control. A link to learn more about the full Nature’s Abstraction course is included for those who’d like to continue exploring this way of painting. See the video on YouTube Yellow Rose & Calla Lily online course

Feeling stuck can make even the smallest step feel overwhelming. In this episode, we talk about why getting started feels so hard—and how to gently remove the obstacles that keep you frozen in place. This isn’t about pushing harder or forcing motivation. It’s about understanding what’s in the way, softening the resistance, and finding a simple, honest way forward. White Gardenia – Workshop