In this edition of MEEDEN Meets The Artist, we're honored to feature Tammy Kaye - a watercolorist whose journey from pandemic-era Zoom classes to viral art tutorials has inspired thousands. What began as a therapeutic hobby blossomed into a thriving community where art meets mental wellness.
Tammy shares her pivotal moments, creative process, and why she trusts MEEDEN products to bring her vibrant watercolors to life. Discover how she transformed anxiety into artistic triumph while helping others do the same.
Tammy Kaye
Q: Let’s take it back to the beginning of your art journey - Can you recall a particular turning point that made you think "This is what I want to do"?
I am a self-taught watercolorist who learned to paint from artists on YouTube. The pandemic had hit us and to deal with some of the struggles that people were having, a friend and I taught monthly classes on Zoom to mix art with self-care. When my friend introduced us to watercolor, I was hooked! I've always been a fairly creative person but I never practiced consistently.
However, this time something sprung up in me and I was obsessed! I painted daily for self-care and as a hobby. Soon I started sharing my art on Instagram and then at the end of 2022, started my Patreon membership and YouTube channel in January of 2023. I've continued on to create two complete art courses, offer 4 free watercolor workshops a week, designed my own line of watercolor brushes with Craftamo, and this year I'll be teaching at my second art retreat in Italy (I do have a few spots left if anyone else would like to join us). Watercolor has gotten me through anxiety and a bout of depression myself, and I want to help others experience using art to boost their mood and lower anxious feelings.
Q: Looking back on your artistic career, what accomplishment makes you smile the most when you remember it?
One moment that sticks out for me is when I experienced having a viral video! I had been posting 3 reels a day, 6 days a week across all social media channels, hoping to get that viral moment. After about 8 months of doing this exhausting task, I finally had one that went off on TikTok, reaching over 4 million views over about a week's time. That same video did NOTHING on IG and YouTube until about 2 weeks later and then they both went off into the millions. The biggest shock here was that on Instagram I was getting thousands of followers a week because of it, even reaching about 20,000 during one week in particular. The count ended a little over 100k and I was blown away! This of course, opened my world up to new opportunities as companies began reaching out to collaborate.
I have to say that it was exciting to have more things offered to me but the biggest benefit I've experienced with this journey and exposure is the connections I've been able to make with my students! I get daily comments, emails, and messages about others' mental health journey, what watercolor has helped them overcome, and how their lives have been changed by learning to be creative. People are taking time to care for themselves and I'm so honored to encourage them in their self-care walk! I always tell my students that it's important to care for themselves so they have the energy and passion to take care of those they love most. Being kind to other humans is the most rewarding action.
Q: Every artist has their own ways to stay inspired. What are your personal rituals or go-to sources when you need a creative recharge?
It's easy to run out of ideas when you have to constantly share new content on YouTube, through courses, and teaching workshops. However, there's a world of inspiration out there that never ceases to inspire me. I love finding reference photos on Pinterest, saving them to use during the month for what I need to create.
I get inspired by nature and often take reference photos to paint later. I still turn to YouTube to my fellow artists when I'm not sure how to do something and need to learn a new skill.
Q: How did you first come across MEEDEN products? What specific qualities keep you reaching for them in your work?
I think it's been about 2 years or so since MEEDEN first reached out to me. I had been using Academy paper before that but hadn't known the connection with MEEDEN. I have been using MEEDEN's paints and palettes, professional cotton paper, and their brushes as well. I love the affordability that MEEDEN brings to high-quality products. I appreciate this especially because for the first several years of my painting journey, I just didn't have a budget to spend on art supplies. I ended up relying on buying 1 quality item one at a time and saving up for the rest.
If I had to choose just 1 product to recommend, I'd say MEEDEN's cold-pressed 100% watercolor paper. The texture, the quality, and the affordability all at the same time make their paper in all sizes my go-to. I feature their paper in my YouTube videos and can't recommend it enough!
Q: If you could give just one piece of advice to someone picking up a brush for the first time, what would it be?
It's just paper! Students often experience intense anxiety over their paintings, striving for perfectionism. They fear wasting supplies, making mistakes, and even creating something ugly. When we spend time in that narrative, it consumes us and causes us to be afraid of the end result. It also sucks the peace and happiness out of the moment-by-moment painting experience, something that's supposed to relax us. I tell students to look for 2-3 things they like about their painting, as well as to remember they are still learning and to lower their expectations.
Finally, I advise them to consider what they want to do more of next time and what they didn't like that they don't want to repeat. "With every brushstroke, I'm getting better." This encouragement helps us keep going, as opposed to worrying about the next painting. They can always throw away a piece they don't like, or even paint on the back to learn more! It's just paper :)
Q: Many artists admire your distinctive approach. What fundamental techniques or mindsets do you think are essential to developing a similar style?
It's essentially learning how to paint "loose," to loosen up your styles with the following three tips. First of all, using a bigger brush will help keep you loose. Maintaining a looser grip will also keep things loose, holding the brush toward the middle of the handle. Holding it tightly and toward the tip will keep the painting tighter.
Also, using larger brushstrokes and bigger wrist motions will loosen things up. Another tip is to simplify a painting, not worrying too much about the details. But the biggest tip is that this process takes time, even though you'd think painting loose wouldn't be difficult. It can be a challenge but it comes with time, just like anything else.
Q: Where can people follow your work and support you?
• Website: [https://tammykaye.com/about-watercolor-artist]
• YouTube: [www.youtube.com/@tammykaye]
• Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/tammykayeart/]
• Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090359711492]
