There are two kinds of people in this world.

There are those who save everything to the desktop, have 2342746398 tabs open (both literally and figuratively), and have about 23782+ emails in their inbox.  Then, there’s everyone else. (emoji)

As much as I *TRY* I am 100% in the first camp of people.

Just unlock my phone and you’ll see WAY MORE than 23782 unopened emails. I’m a freebie NERD, so I love to subscribe to email — I enjoy reading people’s emails, but after a bit I typically stop (don’t we all?!) OR I want to stay *informed* of the latest Madewell sale … there’s no way I’m sacrificing a 40% off…

In fact, I think that’s a perfect example of how inspiration works sometimes.  We have all these *unopened* ideas in our head, just waiting to get out, but we can’t QUITE get to the point where we can make stuff happen from those ideas.

In this ASK THE ARTIST blog, I’m sharing 16 things you can paint with watercolor in October so you can crush the overwhelm of ALL THE IDEAS — and just start painting.

Let’s hop in…

Okay okay, spoiler alert: I added more so now there’s 31 ideas, one for EACH DAY of OCTOBER!

1. Landscapes full of fall foliage

2. Fallen leaves

3. pumpkins

4. Jack o lantern

5. Your hot cup of coffee (or pumpkin spice latte)

6. A cozy blanket

7. Your favorite fall sweater

8. cupcakes

9. Pumpkin cookies

10. Pumpkin pie

11. Oktoberfest Beer

12. Something that makes you feel cozy

13. bonfire/fire in fireplace

14. Pumpkin patch

15. scarecrow

16. Baby animals

17. Cozy candle

18. Charcuterie board

19. Apple tree

20. apples

21. figs

22. Hot tea

23. Your backyard

24. Your front yard

25. Your front porch

26. Firewood

27. Your favorite fall soup (mine’s stew!)

28. a moment from your favorite TV Show (Grey’s Anatomy, anyone?!)

29. A Silly or Spooky Ghost

30. The first thing you think of when you hear AUTUMN

31. The word October

So here it is — I sat down and made this list in less than 10 minutes.  All I did? I stopped and thought about FALL, about OCTOBER, about what makes my heart sing and my soul happy.

Figuring out what to paint doesn’t have to be difficult and doesn’t have to be overwhelming.  Take these ideas and RUN WITH THEM! I’ve included some reference photos for you as well! If you paint one, tag me and share it on Instagram @courtneykibbydesigns… I’d love to cheer you on in real time!

And if you feel like this is giving you a little metaphorical pep in your step, go ahead and grab the ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WATERCOLOR SUPPLIES — it’s my go-to list for getting started with watercolor.