Exploring the Mind of Watercolor: Adding Personalities to Trees ft. Steve Mitchell

Steve Mitchell and I teamed up for a real life paint-off! We will attempt to paint a TREE that personifies a random descriptive word drawn from a hat!
What will our trees look like at the end??
Be a fly on the wall as we chat about art, artists we admire, and enjoy a little friendly competition!
Watch our OTHER collab video (filmed at the Biltmore in North Carolina!) over on Steve's channel, The Mind of Watercolor ➡️ www.youtube.com/@mindofwatercolor
00:00 Intro
00:46 Rita & Reese reveal the rules!
02:45 The countdown begins!
03:39 Being petite
05:53 What are you terrified of?
06:29 On feeling "petite" around great painters
08:09 On cartooning
08:29 Growth as an artist
11:11 Adding color!
12:20 On ways to add expressions
13:59 Reese the skull's backstory
18:06 Emily freaking out!
20:27 Painting reveal and reactions
20:53 Discussion of our paintings
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[@mindofwatercolor]

So fun and such a great idea. We so enjoyed having you come visit. I've rewatched this now a couple of times because of the fun memories. Thanks again Emily and thanks for letting me tell the "Reese" story!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I’ve rewatched your video, too! Love it so much! 🙌

[@deborahgoodwin3426]

Wow, two of my long time favorite artists on Utube! How much better does it get? Well, you toss in a tad of Radiant, resourceful Rita and a tidbit of Rickety, roguish Reese and there you have a Rockin' recipe for two Remarkable renditions of their assigned adjectives. Voila!! Pure magic from my two favorite artists (patron of Emily). 🥰🥰🙏🙏

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

🙂❤️

[@vupps]

So great to see two of my favorite artists go head on with their challenge and coming out winners, in my eyes! They are such great artists! Even if they drew a line it is great! And has some character to it! Thanks to you both, Steve and Emily! It was a feast to our eyes!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I’m so glad you liked our video!

[@LouiseDeMasi]

This is so great to see you two together Emily.....so much fun. I told Steve I wish you both lived closer to me. How amazing it would be to all get together. 🥰

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Oh we definitely need to make that happen! A KZbin ARTIST summit would be a dream come true! Thanks for watching, Louise! ❤

[@melindaavila498]

Steve is the very first water colorist I followed. I loved his tutorials and then I spread my wings and followed many fine artists! They all have so many helpful tutorials.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Agree! So much to be learned by the amazing artists here on YT!

[@lisashultis7631]

I love these both! So much more than I could ever do. That said, I absolutely LOVE Steve's idea and rendering of his petite tree painting. This would be great matted and framed on a wall. So awesome! That is why you are the master.❤

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I agree-Steve knocked it outta the park!

[@gardendreamer9117]

Wow, you two…those were great & this was so fun watching & listening to you both chat. Thanks for sharing.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AnnaBucciarelli]

Love love love this!!!! What a treat to see you both together ❤

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

It was a blast! We need to do a KZbin watercolor artists summit some day! 🙌

[@margretmartin7572]

So much fun to watch the two of you paint - I enjoyed the conversation and humor you each brought. Loved both your paintings!💖

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@SharonCullenArt]

Trees would be terrified of woodpeckers, or beetles, or ants too. Very cool trees. Loved it.

[@shirleyervin663]

Termites too!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Chainsaws?

[@carmenbauer8822]

What a fun thing to do! Great Personali-trees too. Hey Emily - the shadow could have been holding an axe. That would strike terror into any tree - lol!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Totally!

[@sandytorento5048]

Hi Emily and Steve. It was fun watching you both paint and talk and have a good time with your trees Thanks

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sharonsunshine2532]

Steve is fantastic. I've been a subscriber of his for a long time. 😊🙏 Loved the video. 🥰🥰

[@poorrichlives3727]

Two of my favorite artists in one video I have been making a graphic novel for the last couple of years. The hardest part of the journey so far has been learning to water color. The 2. Of you'll have helped me more than anyone else on KZbin, thanks.

[@derwood206]

thanks for the fun collaboration

[@artcafe2684]

Oh, I love both of them for different reason. How good and how fun. Thanks to both of you. Made me smile.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad!

[@artcafe2684]

This looks so fun. How fun to have a paint off and get cookies and Kool-Aid. How great and fun. Really enjoyed this video.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Oscaro9928]

This was lots of fun to watch... Winner...I loved them both but Emily but just a bit LOL.

[@ArtsiRosi]

Those little paintings came out so great!! Love them and love this duo. The duo I never knew I needed to see!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

We had so much fun!

[@hArtyTruffle]

Great little collab & Rita is hilarious! ❤

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

She’s the BEST!

[@annieb8955]

How fun!!!

[@dianeo]

There are clearly 2 winners here 😊I love how you both interpreted your prompts. Interesting discussion while painting, too. Wonderful.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@stampinturtles]

This is awesome to watch. Love that we can watch two people who love art and teaching share some time together creating.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks so much 😊

[@nmd1211]

I don't think I have laughed so much watching a watercolor video. Both of you made great expressions of your adjectives as well as made for a very enjoyable, spontaneous event! And let's not forget Rita - that Kool-Aid comment couldn't have been more perfect. Thank you all!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Aw this comment made me smile! Thanks so much for watching!

[@gingerbuchanan2795]

What FUN!

[@gillianbc]

Two artists that I've been watching for ever get together! Great idea.

[@cindyp.9030]

What a great video, I really enjoyed watching the interaction going on between the two of you. I think your tree sees a lumberjack coming its way with a huge axe or saw. What fun.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@elisiataylor]

I loved this so much! 😂😂😂 It's such a delight to watch you two work --- and we get to see Rita! Hello! You always film such lovely shots during the plein air paintings 😁

[@carolgehman6036]

What fun! You two are so generous with your knowledge and experience!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks for watching!

[@brianrogers3942]

Painting brings out the best in both of you. It’s a tie for me though, I would pay for either painting. Emily, I immediately saw a snake crawling up the front of your tree and thought that is what the tree is terrified of. The facial expression on your tree was 🤌🏻.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you, Brian! It sure was a fun game!

[@TheLiznz]

It was great to see you both having so much fun. And a shout out to Rita and .Reese for managing the competition rules 😁

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Absolutely!!

[@maryannjacobson8289]

Emily, so good to see you painting with such a great artist. Two of my favorite artist together. It doesn't get much better than this. Thanks to you and Steve for such wonderful trees.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

We had fun!

[@TracieWho]

What a fantastic colab!

[@deejay2838]

I love this ! The trees are amazing...such personalities. Thanks Steve and Emily !

[@DeidreHolland-nb3ps]

Ha ha! I loved this! The anticipation was killing me. Well done! I love both paintings!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you!

[@DeidreHolland-nb3ps]

🥰

[@ThatPaintingLass]

I have never had so much fun not being able to watch what people are painting. I have to admit when I realized the camera wasn’t going to show what you two were actually painting, I was a little disappointing because it’s so cool watching paintings develop and seeing how they came to life. That being said the conversation was good and the reveal was absolutely amazing. I had no idea what you two were going to put on that page and I was absolutely floored to see the outcomes. they are both beautiful paintings and they both capture your adjectives so well. You both did such great work.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed this-definitely a bit different format but a lot of fun!

[@scottmcgonagle3102]

Wowzers! This was so much fun watching two of my favorite artist!! Thanks you for sharing your talents and gifts with us! Look forward to seeing your next adventure!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Aw thanks so much for the nice comment!

[@Pixieshade]

This was great episode. ❤ I love the friendly competition challenge subject! It’d be so cool to see our favorite KZbin watercolor artist challenge each other like this. 😊 loved them both.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

We had a blast! Glad it was entertaining!

[@nyreeandstephenbevan5120]

So much fun, this is what makes group painting so enjoyable. A great idea. And I loved that you asked about Reese's background!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@lisamurphy5007]

Fantastic! I so enjoyed to of my top artists going head to head!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

We had a great time! Glad it was enjoyable for you, too!

[@GretchenBender-kw2js]

WOW! Thank you ! How delightful to see two of my faves together ! Thank you for sharing , this was a lot of fun, you guys are so talented and so funny , great paintings !!! Loved seeing Steve’s wife in the video and as always Reese the best ideas and I love his back story !

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mklarson2980]

What a great idea for a video! You two truly are my favorites and it was so fun to hear your approaches to your paintings and then to learn more about each of you while you chatted. Had fun and picked up some tips too!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Our pleasure!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Steve n Emily, I throughly enjoyed watching your collaboration, you played off one another and created imagery that I believe you would not have captured on your own! The best kind of competition is collaborative, so well done carrying the prompts as well! Thank you for sharing your visit with the rest of us!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@mycreativeheart]

That was fun!!! I love the trees holding hands and the terrified tree, I wanna save him!!

[@dorothyminor7581]

Steve’s picture looks like a Momma Tree holding its baby trees hand!

[@karenclarkcreations]

"artistically scrawny" I feel that deep in my soul. That is me. But we can't all be a James Gurney or a Steve Mitchell or an Emily Olson. ❤

[@maryhazlett]

Emily, to me the shadow looks like a snake - which would render ME terrified! Also, the first thing I thought of when your adjective was terrified was The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy petrified in the forest.

[@gadamis]

Rita is a dear! So much fun to watch. I loved both paintings. 😊

[@bleuvertetforetdepin7308]

she's so cute !! and her treats looks amazing !!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

She’s the BEST!

[@scmarinemom24]

This was so much fun to watch. I wasn't sure how on earth you were going to portray "terrified" in a tree, but you nailed it. Love this.

[@annevickers3307]

That was a blast! Double the fun. Emily’s tree was the most awesome terrified, yet elegant and sexy tree. What a great combination. Steve’s tree gave me inspiration. I would call it Hope. It gave me an idea for a painting. I cannot thank you both enough! ❤️🤗

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

❤️❤️❤️

[@ChantelleArts]

This was so fun to watch, I love both trees though it did take me a minute to see the face! it's awesome ❤

[@patm.3912]

SO much fun to watch and listen. More, more collabs please! Reese has more to offer! 💀🤣

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Definitely!!

[@deborahmclean9890]

This was just delightful! I was smiling the whole time and couldn’t wait for the reveal. Well done both of you!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Aw thanks so much!

[@jimorlowski5051]

What a wonderful word and watercolour game! Too much fun! You guys are favs across the internet!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Aw thank you!

[@loiscox2754]

Awesome, love the banter back and forth! Learned a lot from you guys!

[@ninner196]

Excellent idea and looked like so much fun. That is the thing to do with another who enjoys art😊

[@siennaonthenet2127]

This was a real treat, two incredible artists sharing the thought process and having fun. What an interesting way to get to know you both better.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad! Thanks for watching!

[@BW2Color.Stephanie]

You guys play great together! 😂

[@viviandibrell849]

Great video! Maybe an idea from this would to make a list of adjectives as prompts for daily painting practice…to paint anything, not just trees. After I saw your tree, Emily, I thought of a man with a hatchet coming into the frame would be another way to paint this. But I loved your spooky shadow and your tree had such a wonderful feeling. And Steve’s sweet little tree with the big tree. reaching down was great. What a fun idea.

[@impala1022]

So much fun to watch and great ideas! Thanks

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@carolhestand2561]

So COOL! I enjoyed both of your & Steve's videos. Loved this get together challenge! Thanks!!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks for watching!

[@stephaniecaoagdan9678]

It's such a treat to see both of you in a video 😊

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

😊 thank you

[@debsmith7050]

Such fun!!!

[@Jaline_on_YouTube]

I couldn't stop smiling! The fun you were having is contagious!

[@UraniaOfTheGalaxy]

I love those two, and they did so beautifully in spite of talking the whole time. Another special talent!

[@michellemorris8943]

This was so much fun to watch, great painters having fun!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks for watching!

[@Finkeldinken]

Oooh, I love me a good collab! I don't even get any art done atm because I'm cycling through one of my other hobbies (aquariums, tropical freshwater fish) but I can feel myself getting re-hyped for illustrations again. I love this exercise and the way you filmed it! ❤

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Shuvah2Him]

SO FUN!!! I was delighted to find this to start my day off!!! TWO FAVS at once!!!!! Thanks!!!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

We had a great time! Glad you enjoyed it, too!

[@sreihart]

That was SO much fun, even for me as a viewer! Great idea Emily, and I think this was a draw. Both of you did an excellent job. I would have had that "fear of the blank canvas" hit me from the get-go. I also enjoyed getting some of the background on Reese. BTW, I live in Pennsylvania, and have been to Hershey many times. Great place!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed!

[@followyourbrush]

So much fun to be had and enjoyed! This was great! Thanks for a great treat!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ZeeCeeCreations]

SOO much fun!! Love you both and both tree paintings were amazing!! Thanks to both of you!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Our pleasure!

[@denajones2509]

Beautiful loved this session. The trees were amazing, 🙏

[@sundaysunshine2925]

How fun !

[@michaelcsweeney8435]

Great idea for a vid. I've been subscribed to both of your channels for some time. It was fun to listen to the banter. You both humbly played down your abilities, but you are both wonderful artists. Thanks to both of you for the effort you put into your channels.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I appreciate that so much!

[@jillharper7456]

Love this!

[@priscillawarren9979]

Wonderful fun!!

[@maureencepiel959]

This video is my favorite! My jaws hurt from smiling through the entire time. 😁

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Aw yay! 🙌

[@terischiech]

This was great. Love you both.

[@catharinecowan4514]

Just like many others have already said, you two are some of my fav artists and I’ve learned so much from both of you! Love the tree prompt painting results - and watching you both have such a ball with the challenge 😊 Enjoy painting at the Biltmore and all the lush trees of the south east (relative to Colorado anyway 😂)!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you! We had a blast!

[@lsovik5487]

So cool!

[@yoliredd4764]

Two of my favorite KZbinrs. Love this!!!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yay! Thank you!

[@dorothygladsjo3510]

Love the “stories” that each tells!

[@FallaciesDetective]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@PatriciaPageMosaicArtsCrafts]

Most enjoyable video been subscribed to you both for a while now, loved the chat, both of the paintings are fabulous ❤❤

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

That means a lot! Thank you!

[@awatercolourist]

22:35 I think it’s slender man, maybe? I really like the pose of both the trees in the paintings. Like Steve said, the background in your painting is very well painted. I like how your tree, despite having a face, still looks like a tree. Thank you for collaborating and making this video 😊.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks for watching and for the nice comment!

[@awatercolourist]

@@EmilyOlsonArt My pleasure!

[@mendyhand3895]

Love them! Artists and paintings! 👍🖌🎨

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Jlalode]

You guys are awesome!

[@Crissandra.Kefalinos]

This was the absolute best! ❤ I have been watching you both for so long 🙌🏼🤩

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Aw thank you!!

[@sylphofthewildwoods5518]

This is cool. I really enjoyed your paint off. I recently found MoW and ordered his inspired M.Graham paint set that came with an added bonus of a 100% Cotton tablet. 🎉 I loved your tree Emily! Perfect frightened tree. The kind that came to my mind. I was expecting a bonsai from Steve lol. His previous comic profession shown through on this one. Kudos to you both. Thank you for sharing! 😊🎨🖌️🍪

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

What a nice comment and I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙌

[@sylphofthewildwoods5518]

@@EmilyOlsonArt You're back!! Oh I missed you so much!

[@braintired55]

You two are so CUTE! That was a fun video !

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you!! 😊

[@lynnephelps2370]

As you were painting your terrified tree, I kept thinking it should have a woodpecker to explain the terror! This collaboration was so fun, love both channels!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My thought was a chainsaw, lol!

[@deborahgoodwin3426]

Lol Emily!!🤣🤣🤣

[@juliec.]

Fantastic collaboration with 2 great artists. I love both your paintings. 👍👍

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@nancytipton2640]

So fun! Do more of these.😊

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I hope to! 🙌

[@RATTE1606]

I like both results :D

[@wendymorrison8995]

This was delightful! Funny and fun and inspirational! Thank you both! I'll try to 🎨 a tree..

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yes! Glad you feel inspired!

[@mariem5990]

So much fun !!! Loved the video. Great compositions

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks so much!

[@denisevance1045]

So good you two!! You need to annually to this

[@bleuvertetforetdepin7308]

they do !! i hope they'll manage to gather James Gurney next year . 😁

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

That would be amazing!

[@sylviagrantins]

Great video! Such fun....

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lynneellis2647]

Love them both! Fun

[@stephanejohnston9945]

Fun! Great jobs by both!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks so much!