Hello my Dabble family!
It’s Jen here, and I cannot wait for you to meet today’s featured artist — the wonderfully creative and endlessly inspiring Colette Lee.
Colette has been an artist her whole life. Her creative journey began at just three years old when her mom let her start sewing right alongside her. (Can we pause to appreciate that level of trust? I was barely allowed near the glue stick at that age!) That early love of sewing blossomed into a full-fledged career later in life, proving that creativity really does weave its way into every corner of who we are.
All through school, Colette was “the art person” — the one everyone called on when banners or class projects needed a special touch. Eventually, she brought her artistic spark into the classroom, teaching art to K–8 students in a small Catholic school for ten years. “To teach is to learn,” she says — and isn’t that the truth?
Beyond the classroom, Colette’s creativity spills over into everything she touches — including her 135-year-old farmhouse, which she decorates for Halloween and Christmas with such flair that I’m convinced it could star in its own Hallmark movie. (Colette, I’m ready for the invitation to your holiday tour!)
What inspires Colette most
“Life!” she says. She finds inspiration everywhere — in the colors, textures, and moments that surround her. And when she can’t make art, she admits she feels a little sad, because the world is just too full of beauty not to paint it.
Here’s one of Colette’s stunning paintings
This one holds a special place in her heart. She shared that she loved mastering the details — the reflections, the gate, and all those little touches that make a painting come alive. When she stepped back and saw it finished, her reaction was pure joy: “Wow! I did this!” And honestly, that’s one of the best feelings we artists get, isn’t it?
What she loves about DabblePaints™
“I love the smooth creaminess of the paints. They blend so well and the colors are so vibrant.”
Oh yes, Colette — you’re speaking my love language. That buttery texture and vibrancy are exactly what make DabblePaints so joyful to work with.
What she enjoys most about painting
“The thing I enjoy the most is seeing a painting come to life. There is definitely an ugly stage and at some point you step back and it’s, ‘Wow! I did this!’”
I couldn’t agree more. Every painting has that awkward “what is even happening here?” phase — and then, suddenly, it clicks. It’s like magic… or maybe just a little patience and a palette knife.
Her advice for new painters
“Don’t sweat the small stuff! Don’t worry about what someone may think or say about your art. Art contests are won because of a few personal opinions, and not everyone’s opinions are the same.”
Can we get an amen? That’s wisdom worth pinning to every studio wall. Art is your expression — and that’s what makes it beautiful.
Colette, thank you for sharing your story, your art, and your heart with all of us. Your journey reminds us that creativity is a lifelong adventure, and confidence grows every time we pick up the brush.
Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world.
XO,
Jen