Color Collecting // A Study of Visual Interest

As frustrating as they can be, creative blocks are part of the process. My ideas have been flowing smoothly from one project to the next for awhile now, so I was taken aback when I suddenly hit a wall. The strange thing was, while I felt like I had plenty of inspiration surrounding me, nothing was translating to my surfaces in the way that I wanted. Overwhelmed with an influx of color, texture, and movement, I needed to take a step back. I needed to reevaluate the 'whats' and 'whys' behind my current work, and as difficult as it is for me to realize at times, my mind can’t be working at full speed 100% of the time. It’s both natural and necessary to allow time to rest and refuel. 

Coincidently, around this time I was heading to New York City for a weekend wedding -  the first trip I’d taken in awhile without art supplies in tow. Oddly enough, the city that never sleeps, in all of its hustle and movement, gave me some clarity. 

Walking around the city, I snapped pictures of things that caught my eye. Catching bits of color and compositions in a quick moment while en route to catch the subway or a bite to eat. The thing about taking pictures is you’re essentially documenting your visual interest. Whether realizing it or not, something in that scene speaks to you in a way that won’t allow you to pass it by without taking it with you. 

As I looked back through my photos, I noticed a theme that carried throughout them. And as I unpacked my suitcase I saw it again, this time in the clothes that I had selected to bring.  Rich darks, grainy earth tones, leafy greens, soft neutrals, and pops of highlight were showing me the color palette I’d been looking for. 

I went on a screenshot spree pulling pictures from my Pinterest boards and scrolling through the recent photos I’ve liked on Instagram… the palette was there too.

Printed and scattered around my studio, these photos will serve as visual references and reminders of what I aim to capture in this new collection of paintings. Sometimes ideas can present themselves in the everyday, but they’re not always yelling to demand attention. You have to remember take a step back and listen to the whispers.