New Year, New Art

After taking a couple of weeks off to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, I’m back in the studio.

On Sunday, I’ll start my residency at the Art Gym. For six months, I’ll be using the Art Gym’s facilities, which will allow me to create large pieces that I can’t currently make at home. I have a painting series in my head that needs to come out, and I’ll be focusing on that while I’m there. I’m looking forward to spending time with other artists and working in such an incredible space.

Right now, I’m at the point in the process where I have vivid images in my head but am not entirely sure how to bring them to life. Watercolor isn’t bold enough for what I envision, and I want layers upon layers. Acrylics dry too fast for blending, and while I’m newer to oils, I still love the fluidity I get from watercolor and acrylics.

With that in mind, I’m starting the year with a beginner’s mindset, exploring new materials and techniques. Creating art is like learning a language—a visual language. You have to practice to figure out how to say what you mean and mean what you say. My new series is deeply personal, and I have something specific I want to express, so I’m taking the time to practice how I say it.

I encourage all of you to adopt a beginner’s mindset as well. Don’t be afraid to learn something new, slow down, and allow yourself to fail. If you’re starting something new, you can’t expect to do it perfectly the first time.

Take your time and have fun!