When the Watercolor
Ends Up in the Shower

Sometimes I paint the same subject several times. I’m not satisfied. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted. Not the way I had imagined.

And sometimes it goes so badly that I get really angry. Angry at myself, at the painting, at everything. Then I just want to get rid of it. I don’t want to see it anymore. It’s as if I want to wash away the failure – wash away the part of me that created such a miserable painting.

So I take the watercolor and go into the bathroom.

Turn on the shower.

Let it all run off.

All the badness must go.

I don’t exactly know where this behavior comes from, but in a strange way, it has helped me grow. It has brought me to where I am today: a watercolor painter with stubbornness as my superpower.

Now, it may sound as if these paintings are complete disasters – but they really aren’t. Sometimes my wife stops me. She tells me to put the painting aside for a week and look at it with fresh eyes. And it works every time.

When my expectations fade, it turns out the painting isn’t so bad after all. Sometimes it’s even quite good. It’s remarkable how a watercolor can look awful at first, only to feel alive and successful a week later.

My advice to you:

Let others look at your work. Let them help when you’re choosing pieces for an exhibition. They see with different eyes – often the same eyes as the audience who will eventually encounter the work.

Sometimes it’s exactly that perspective that saves a painting from the shower.

Watercolor in Jämtland with the Gadnells
August 9–13, 2026

Welcome to an inspiring week of painting in the stunning landscapes of Jämtland! Over five days, we offer two parallel courses – one for beginners with Margaretha Gadnell and one for more experienced painters with Stefan Gadnell.

We stay at the cozy Hotell Kallgården, with full board and a fantastic view over Kalldalen, Kallsjön, and Åreskutan. During the week, we explore the possibilities of watercolor, from expansive mountain vistas to the smallest details in nature. We paint both in the studio and outdoors, experimenting with different techniques and layers, and take short walks to discover the best subjects.

It will be a week full of inspiration, color, and creative joy in an environment that truly sparks the desire to paint.

Read more and register your interest here:www.gadnell.com/akvarellkall

Here’s a PDF you can share with friends:Mäla_akvarell_Jämtland_2026.pdf

Visit a Julsalong

Right now, several wonderful Julsalonger are taking place where you can see many of my watercolors. In Vasastaden, you can visit Nordic Art, along Strandvägen there is Galleri Carl, and in Norrtälje, Sweden’s most beautiful town, a Julsalong is held at the Norrtälje Konsthall featuring local artists.

One of my larger watercolors, S/S Norrtelje, is on display at the Norrtälje Julsalong. It’s a perfect opportunity to enjoy art, be inspired by colors and shapes, and perhaps even find a Christmas gift with a personal touch. So wrap up warmly, put on your winter coat, and step out into the crisp winter air to experience art in the heart of the season.

I hope this watercolor letter has given you a little inspiration, whether you dream of painting in the Jämtland mountains, exploring the colors of the winter light, or enjoying art at a Julsalong. Let yourself be inspired, pick up your brushes, and create moments that bring joy and calm during the winter darkness.

I wish you a truly Merry Christmas and a warm, colorful New Year, filled with light, color, and creative moments that make your heart smile.