As Featured in American Watercolor: Artist Spotlight on Cindy Briggs

Cindy Briggs: The best part of being an artist is discovering new places, perspectives, and subjects to paint. This year, I look forward to teaching in Belgium, Sicily, the French Alps, and along the Seine, guiding artists of all levels in watercolor journaling and painting. Traveling with watercolors offers an easy setup, allowing for spontaneous sketching and painting within minutes—or for simply taking your time and being in the moment. Whether in person or online with organizations like Smithsonian Studios and Terracotta, I create a positive, enriching learning environment.

Creativity runs in my family, and carrying forward that artistic legacy is both grounding and inspiring. Traveling to paint in Paris with my aunt in 2000 opened my eyes to the in-depth experience of painting on location and the joy of teaching. That trip shaped my path, showing me how art connects people to places and to themselves.

Since then, I’ve been leading European plein air and studio workshops and now have a wide selection of online watercolor programs. Helping students enjoy the process, build confidence, refine techniques, and develop their own style is deeply rewarding. Painting enhances the way we engage with life, and sharing that journey makes it incredibly meaningful.