Today, I’m excited to take you behind the scenes of my current project at the Downtown Austin Space Activation (DASA) Residency. It’s been a month or so filled with intense creativity, learning, and some unexpected shifts in my plans.
Adjusting Expectations and Embracing Challenges
At the onset of this residency, I set myself an ambitious goal: to create five large-scale paintings in 5 weeks. However, as the weeks unfolded and I got stuck into it, I realised this was too much of a stretch on my time and energy, even when working intensely! I adjusted my initial goal to something ambitious but more realistic and focused on creating four quality paintings instead.
Through this residency, I’ve pushed my personal boundaries of scale and speed of creating and can see the improvement in my technical skills! I’ve further developed my confidence and speed in drawing intricate architectural details, have started to incorporate larger, more expressive floral elements using a combination of brushwork and palette knife techniques, as well as working with bigger brushes and tools to spread paint across these pieces.
Creative Growth Through Intensive Work
The residency has required long hours in the studio, where I’ve truly stretched and flexed my creative muscles. This intensive period of art-making has not only accelerated my growth as an artist but also deepened my connection to my work and shown me what I’m capable of achieving. The experience has reinforced the value of perseverance and adaptability, especially when exploring new subjects and techniques under time constraints.
With the intense hours through this residency, I started splitting my time between my two studios – my residency studio in downtown Austin, and my home studio. It was great to take advantage of having these two spaces to break up my days and add structure. I also discovered the music that keeps me painting and drawing late into night over the month- there’s a lot of Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder in the studio after hours!
The Role of Research in My Creative Process
An unexpected yet fulfilling aspect of my residency has been the research involved. With local wildflowers not yet in bloom, I turned to the library to study Austin’s and Texas’s flora and architecture. This scholarly approach has enriched my understanding and appreciation of my subjects, influencing the depth and authenticity of my paintings. It’s a practice I intend to continue in future projects.
Looking Ahead: Carrying Forward Lessons Learned
As the residency draws to a close, I reflect on the skills and insights I’ve gained. The deep study of my subject matter and the expanded creative techniques I’ve honed here will undoubtedly influence my future works. The freedom and scale I’ve explored in drawing Austin’s architectural details and integrating local natural elements have opened new avenues for my creative practice.
Conclusion
As I prepare for the upcoming exhibition and the conclusion of my residency, I’m grateful for the challenges and opportunities that have shaped this unique journey. I look forward to sharing the final pieces with you and discussing them further at the exhibition opening and artist talk! See upcoming events.
Malti x
