Hello my Dabble family! It’s Jen here, and I’m beyond thrilled to introduce you to one of the inspiring artists in our community, Joan Hitchcock.

Joan is a professional artist who, like many of us, began her journey with something as simple and magical as a box of crayons and a set of Prang watercolors in grade school. One of her early teachers recognized her talent and encouraged her parents to invest in better supplies — and thankfully, they did! That little spark grew into a lifelong exploration of creativity.

Over the years, Joan has experimented with many different mediums, teaching herself along the way. Thanks to the internet, she’s been able to connect with inspiring artists worldwide and take classes that once would have been out of reach.

What inspires Joan most?

Nature! The beauty of the seasons, the trees, and the outdoors guide her creativity.

Here’s one of Joan’s stunning pieces from her Birch Tree Series:

Birch Tree Series III

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I first saw this painting, I actually tilted my head back like I was really standing under those birch trees. You almost expect a crunchy leaf to float down and land on your shoulder. That’s how much life and perspective Joan brings to her work.

What she loves about DabblePaints™:

“Their creamy, glossy, highly pigmented nature. I love that they are in a limited palette, so I know that when I mix colors, my painting will be cohesive.”

What she enjoys most about painting:

“I enjoy the process of bringing my ideas to life and love the texture! I’m a sculptor at heart, and palette knife painting fulfills my need for dimension.”

(And can we just pause here? A sculptor’s heart plus a painter’s palette = hello, texture magic! It’s like peanut butter meeting jelly, but with paint.)

And when I asked Joan what advice she’d give someone just starting their painting journey, she shared a piece of wisdom that I absolutely love:

“We all started as beginners. The more you paint, the better you’ll get, and YOUR style will start showing through.”

Joan, thank you for sharing your story, your art, and your heart with us. You’re such an inspiration to the DabblePaints™ community, and I know so many of our artists will be encouraged by your words and your work.

Keep creating, keep shining, and keep bringing more beauty into the world. 

XO,

Jen