Rediscovering the Flow: My Return to Watercolor Painting After a Long Hiatus
Greetings, All! I'm Beverly G. McCarter. If you've stumbled upon this blog while searching for stories of artists making a return to art, or perhaps exploring the world of watercolor art and stories of people, you're in the right place. After years immersed in the digital realms of virtual worlds and complex systems design, I'm thrilled to announce my return to the canvas—or rather, the watercolor paper. This first post marks the beginning of a new chapter, where I'll share my journey and reflections on how art mirrors and expounds upon the twists and turns of life: the stories we tell.
A big part of being human is the stories we tell to make sense of ourselves and the world.
Being unpredictable, life often gets in the way of the carefully envisioned plans we lay out. But, if we are very lucky, it brings us back around again. And so it is with me. After a lengthy absence from art, I've found my way back, but with a twist. While I can't paint the large oil paintings anymore, I can explore the dynamics of smaller watercolors. There's something profoundly fitting about this medium; watercolors, with their fluid, uncontrollable nature, echo the uncertainties of living. Just as life can bleed and blend in unexpected ways, so does the pigment on paper, creating beauty from chaos.
A Bit About My Artistic Path
For those new to my work, I've worn many hats over the years. In addition to my MS in Counseling Psychology and Human Systems, I hold an MFA in Painting from the Memphis College of Art and have exhibited as a fine artist, focusing on figurative forms that delve into the human psyche—stories of emotion, transition, and connection. My art has always been a portal into deeper understanding, whether through traditional media or innovative digital spaces.
In the intervening years, my creativity shifted toward the virtual. As an award-winning architect and designer of 3D immersive virtual environments, I founded Human Mosaic Systems, where I explored the psychology of avatars and built 3D immersive simulations for learning and interaction. You can find traces of this work on my ResearchGate profile, where I've published on topics like wicked problems in multi-user virtual environments and leadership in chaordic organizations. I've even authored books on these subjects, available on Amazon, such as Leadership in Chaordic Organizations, co-written with Brian E. White.
Beverly McCarter giving a presentation in 2011 in Second Life on designing environments for human systems.
I'm also a proud signature member of the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA), where my profile highlights my ongoing commitment to art that probes the human experience. And if you're visually inclined, check out my YouTube channel (@BeverlyGM) for archived presentations on virtual worlds, complexity, and even some glimpses into my creative process—like archived tours of Maya-inspired digital environments that blend art with education.
But now, life's unpredictable currents have led me back to my roots. I have had to pivot away from oil painting and that has opened the door to the intimate world of watercolors. This medium's spontaneity—where a single drop can transform a piece—resonates with me deeply, especially after navigating the structured precision of virtual design.
Why Watercolors? Embracing the Unpredictable
Watercolor painting isn't just a technique; it's a philosophy. The way colors merge and flow unpredictably on the page mirrors how life disrupts our plans yet often leads to unexpected masterpieces. In my return to art, I'm experimenting with smaller formats that allow for quick, expressive sessions. Themes of transition and connection remain central, but now infused with the fluidity of water-based pigments as I explore the larger topic of sense of place.
If you're an aspiring watercolor artist or someone considering a creative comeback, stay tuned. I’ll be sharing my exploration of my new journey into watercolors as I delve into what helps create our sense of place in our physical world and how my experience with that concept in the design of 3D immersive spaces help fine tune those ideas.
Looking Ahead: Join the Journey. This return feels like a full-circle moment, blending my past as a fine artist with my expertise in complex systems. I'm excited to build this blog into a space for sharing not just my watercolors, but stories of resilience and reinvention. Whether you're here for "pivot stories," "musings on watercolor painting", or simply to connect with a fellow creator, I invite you to follow along.
Check out my profiles for more:
What about you? Have you ever taken a break from your passion and returned with fresh eyes? Life is always about the ever changing journey.
Until next time,
Bev McCarter
Back to painting and exploring our sense of place.
