Hi! I’m Ivy, the artist behind Ivywild Studio, based in the Ivywild neighborhood of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
As a child in Hong Kong, I found joy in sketching, watercolor, and traditional Chinese painting.
From architecture back to art
That early love for art eventually led me to a career in architecture—one that took me across three continents, designing everything from skyscrapers in Hong Kong to brick buildings in rural India. I am thankful for that season, especially in India, where I designed buildings in harmony with the natural environment and enabled organizations to serve their communities more effectively.
After our family moved to Colorado Springs, I felt the gentle nudge to revive my decades-old Winsor & Newton watercolor and rekindle my passion for art making. Ivywild Studio was born from this.
Painting as an act of worship
I love painting landscape. To me, it is an act of worship - capturing and celebrating the beauty in nature and the Maker. When I practice painting, I observe my surroundings with a new lens. I pay more attention to simple beauty in everyday life - the springtime blossoms in the trees on the sidewalk, the ever-changing clouds drifting across the cerulean blue sky. I notice different shades of green in different seasons, the morning golden light shining on the trees will make my heart leap for joy. It is as if Nature is rewarding me when I notice its beauty, and I discover the simple joy that was there all along.
Sharing the joy of painting
I recently started hosting watercolor workshops to encourage people to create more. You don’t have to become the greatest artist to paint - I am not. You can just paint without worrying about the result. In the process, you will discover the sheer joy of seeing and making.
“…the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”
I love this quote from Henry van Dyke:
Explore Ivy’s art and workshops
Explore Ivy’s watercolor paintings or join her for a workshop to try it yourself. Slow down, notice the beauty around you, and discover the simple joy of creating something with your own hands.