Samantha McMahon

Samantha McMahon is an artist, calligrapher and educator
with an Arts Degree, a formal calligraphy qualification, and over 30 years of
specialist teaching experience.

Through Personally Penned & Painted, Samantha is known for her gentle,
expressive watercolours and elegant hand lettering, often inspired by
botanicals, quiet moments, and her love of the French language. Her work blends
watercolour and calligraphy with a refined, European sensibility and a deep
appreciation for life’s simple beauty.

For the past several years, Samantha has been teaching Absolute Beginners workshops,
guiding students who long to explore a creative hobby but may not see
themselves as “artistic.”

At the heart of Samantha’s teaching is a strong belief
that watercolour should feel accessible, empowering and joyful. Her classes
focus not just on completing a finished piece, but on truly understanding
materials, techniques, and decision-making…so students leave with skills they
can apply independently to their own creative projects.

With decades of teaching experience, Samantha brings a calm, encouraging
presence to the classroom. She understands that many adults arrive feeling
hesitant or out of practice, and she creates a supportive, pressure-free
environment where curiosity, experimentation and progress are valued far more
than perfection.

For Samantha, teaching doesn’t end when the class does….she is deeply
passionate about nurturing long-term creative confidence and connection.

Whether introducing complete beginners to their very first brushstroke, or
guiding developing painters toward greater independence, Samantha’s mission is
simple: to help people discover that creativity belongs to them too.