Tim Blanton

The seed for my artistic journey was planted when I was just 10 years old, purely by accident, after someone told me that I had “talent.” However, it wasn’t until 40 years later that I earnestly decided to seek a creative outlet and try my hand at watercolor painting. Looking back, it was truly meant to be when I crossed paths with artist and teacher Susan Ripp, who taught me the fundamentals of painting over the course of five years. One of the many important lessons Susan instilled in me were the three rules of thumb for watercolor: 1. Be bold. 2. Stay loose. 3. Stop painting before you think you are finished; put the brush down and step away. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world and my painting journey by introducing me to Master Watercolor Artist Fabio Cembranelli from Brazil. With his travel and in-person workshops canceled, Fabio pivoted quickly and began teaching through Zoom, making his unique techniques accessible to students like me. I am very grateful to both of my mentors for their honest critiques and encouragement, which have helped me find my own palette and style. I am a member of the Central Alabama Artist Guild, the Watercolor Society of Alabama, and the Mountain Brook Art Association. I reside in Birmingham, Alabama, with my two long-haired dachshunds, Scout and Bishop.