Birgit O'Connor

Birgit O’Connor is a watercolor artist and instructor known for her calm, intuitive approach to painting. Her work focuses on light, atmosphere, and the balance between control and letting go—helping artists move beyond technique and into a deeper understanding of how to see.

Through her workshops and courses, she teaches students how to simplify what they see, work with water rather than against it, and create paintings that feel natural, expressive, and alive.

Her teaching is rooted in the belief that confidence doesn’t come from mastering every detail, but from understanding the foundations—shapes, values, light—and trusting them enough to guide each decision.

In 2025, she was the primary judge in the 2025 International Transparent Watercolor Society of America. She has taught workshops across the United States and Canada and is a featured instructor for Watercolor Live, and many national exhibitions.

Her work has been featured in over 60 national and international publications, including Splash, Watercolor Magazine, International Artist, and The New York Times.

She is a signature member of the NorthWest Watercolor Society (NWWS), Louisiana Watercolor Society (LWS), and California Watercolor Association (CWA), Birgit is the author of Watercolor in Motion, Paint Watercolor Flowers, and Watercolor Essentials.