Whatif… It’s Great?

This particular post is inspired by one of my favorite people on the interwebs.

Andrea Nelson is an artist who (among many other things) creates online, beginner-level watercolor tutorials. She creates interesting and accessible works of art for people like me - who have minimal art experience but want to play. Her tutorials encourage creativity as a process for joy - not necessarily to achieve a goal of perfection in art. That resonates with my deep desire to let my inner anxiety monster relax a bit once in awhile.

Andrea is also charming, funny, and has a fantastic selection of clever t-shirts. And she likes puns. Always a bonus in my book.

In one of her shorts on youtube last week, she did a tutorial for her 2026 sketchbook project where she blocked off space to write an inspirational message on a page of beautiful watercolor. 

Her message… But what if it’s great? 

Holy cow! I cannot overstate the excitement I felt when I watched it! In her short, which you can see here, she talks about how what if is often driven by pessimism and fear (what if this bad thing happens?). However, in this piece of art, she wanted to spin the concept of what if to consider positive possibilities (but what if  it’s great?). Basically, the entire motivation for my blog.

Whatif we learn? Whatif we grow? Whatif we overcome something difficult? Whatif we reframe something we fear into an opportunity to demonstrate courage?

So here’s to Andrea! Thank you for the art, the inspirational message, and for framing whatif in the light of possibility.

Whatever is gnawing at you right now…. Whatif it’s great?

My own version based on Andrea’s tutorial!