About

Jeremy Serna was born and raised in South Texas and now resides in Brownwood, Texas. He is the owner of Painting with Friends and a self-taught artist. From an early age, Jeremy began working with pastels, and his artistic journey blossomed from there. “The next thing I knew, I was airbrushing and working with oils, acrylics, and watercolors,” he recalls. His passion led him to study relentlessly to reach the level he’s at today.

 Books like Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards fueled his desire to practice, study, and refine his skills. He further honed his craft by attending several classes with Michael Holter and continues to learn under the guidance of renowned watercolor artist Alvaro Castagnet.

Serna is represented in several Texas cities, including Llano, Waco, Fredericksburg, and Canton, as well as in Eureka Springs, AR, and Ventura, CA. His work is also part of several private collections. In 2020, he won the Overall Artist award at the Stars of Texas Paint-Off Competition.

 On Saturday mornings, Jeremy often teaches watercolor classes via Zoom and welcomes students into his studio to learn and explore. His teaching style is well-paced, structured, and engaging. He encourages students to ask questions, believing that curiosity is key to artistic growth.

Jeremy has developed a deep love for watercolor. His style leans impressionistic, allowing his paintings to evolve naturally from what is visually familiar. “Plein air painting is the best form,” Serna says. “Life and nature are the greatest teachers. Creating brushstrokes that tell the story of what’s happening around me and keeping the painting loose is exhilarating.” Each day, Jeremy begins by sketching with a brush, a ritual that grounds and inspires him. “I sketch every day to connect with what I see, interpret it in my mind, and translate it onto paper. I paint the verb, not the noun.”