EP #11: Kathleen Alexander | From Biochemistry to Watercolor Brilliance | Wet on Wet Podcast

From biochemistry to watercolor brilliance, Kathleen Alexander brings her passion, precision, and luminous vision to this inspiring episode of Wet on Wet! Known for her hyper-realistic tropical florals, vibrant greens, and lifelike depictions of nature, Kathleen is a signature member of Watercolor West and the National Watercolor Society, with features in Splash publications. In this interview with host Sunil Kalbandi, Kathleen shares her creative journey, her process for capturing light and realism, and the lessons she’s learned from art festivals, galleries, teaching workshops, and years of dedication.

Guest – Kathleen Alexander

Website: https://www.kathleenalexanderart.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleenalexanderart

Host – Sunil Kalbandi

 Website: https://kalbandi.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunilkalbandi
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sunilkalbandi
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571607046430

Quotes from Kathleen Alexander:

• “Lighting is one of the most important things for still life and florals.”
  
• “I start with the shadows—underpainting gives depth and realism.”
  
• “Leaves are the unsung heroes of a painting; don’t skip the details.”
  
• “Take your own photos—you’ll paint better and avoid copyright issues.”
  
• “Deadlines are motivating; they push you to create more work.”
  

00:00 – Introduction to Kathleen Alexander
01:05 – From Biochemistry to Watercolor Artist
04:00 – Early Painting Days & Community College Class
08:15 – Hawaii Trips & Discovering Vibrant Colors
11:00 – First “Aha” Moments in Watercolor
13:30 – Transition to Professional Artist & Art Festivals
15:40 – Galleries, Lahaina Fire, & Selling Art
19:30 – Photography, Lighting & Choosing Subjects
22:10 – Favorite Flowers: Plumeria, Hibiscus, Heliconia & More
23:45 – Big Paper, Large Paintings & Modern Presentation Methods
27:00 – Studio Routine & Daily Life of a Watercolorist
29:15 – Kathleen’s Go-To Materials: Paints, Brushes, Paper
33:30 – Handling Frustrations, Motivation & Deadlines
36:45 – Shadows, Reds & Pinks: Secrets of Vibrant Florals
41:00 – No Creative Block, Just Discipline
43:20 – Teaching, Workshops & Common Beginner Mistakes
46:00 – Selling Art: Festivals, Galleries & Prints
48:15 – Mastering Greens & Leaf Details
51:20 – Wet-on-Wet vs. Glazing & Process Insights
53:00 – Advice for Beginners: Series, Photos, Good Materials
55:00 – Closing Thoughts & How to Connect with Kathleen

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