Meet the Maker - Maisy LaClair

Maisy was the Featured Maker in our Sketch and Story Chapter 3 Box, and specially made the tones Lobster and Bahama Vacation to go with our beach / lighthouse theme: Surf's Up! This was our first Featured Maker from waaay across the Atlantic, so the ocean-ey theme was very apt in many ways!

You can make a wonderful range of shades with both colors, from a lavender blue-grey, to a dusky purple perfect for painting muted shadows, and finally to a salmon peach pink right before Lobster red. ⁠

As some of you may already know, Maisy lives on a sailboat, which means that all her paints first come to life on a BOAT! I asked Maisy to share with us the challenges of making paint while sailing and where she gets inspiration for new palettes.

1) Tell us a little bit about your paintmaking process.
My paint making process beings with pigment, binder, honey, and mulling tools. To make watercolors I mix the pigments into the binder and honey, so that it creates a consistency that's slightly thicker than maple syrup, then I mull the pigments so that it has a smooth consistency with no pigment bursts. Then, the pouring process beings! 

2) What is your biggest challenge making paints on a sailboat?
My absolute biggest challenge about being on a boat is humidity. It can often times be a serious set back. I've had paints take a whole month to dry before. Usually I don't have the shop open during travel periods since posting is far too difficult, but that would certainly help keep me busy! 

3) Is there a story behind your name - Lighthouse Cove Watercolors?
Growing up in New England gave me an affinity for lighthouses. Just about every summer I would travel to the Maine coast and see the Nubble Lighthouse. Naming my shop after something I absolutely love seemed like a perfect touch. 

4) Where do you get inspiration for your palettes from? 
My inspiration for palettes usually comes from aspirations, fond memories, or subjects I really enjoy. For example, my Flower Shop palette sprouted from an old dream I had of owning a flower shop one day. 

The Flower Shop palette by Lighthouse Cove Watercolors.

7) What’s your favorite colour to make and why?
Oh, there's too many! Though, I really enjoy making green earth colors because they're oh so silky. 

8) What's your favorite book?
I don't read as much as I'd like to, but I recently picked up a small book called The Sweet Life in Paris. It's a really good read that made me laugh. 

9) What’s the next step on your journey? 
I've been thinking about wanting to open a shop for a long time, but I imagine it won't be as soon as I'd like, so for now I think I'd like to being building my own website. ​