As I progress through my artist residency with the Downtown Austin Space Activation (DASA), one of the most critical steps has been selecting the right colour palette. This process has been deeply inspired by both the natural landscapes and the urban energy of Austin, reflecting my personal experiences since making this city my new home.
Capturing Emotion Through Colour
From the outset, I aimed to encapsulate the warmth, vibrancy, and dynamic energy of Austin. To express these feelings, I was drawn to vibrant oranges, yellows, and pinks, colours that scream life and energy. Yet, Austin also exudes a sense of stability and depth, which I’ve chosen to represent with warm hues of blue, teal, and deep purple.
Inspiration from Nature
The wildflowers around Austin have been a particular source of inspiration. Their blues, yellows, pinks, and purples are not just visually stunning but are also evocative of the city’s lively spring and summer seasons.
Urban Influence
The city’s vibrant cultural scenes have significantly shaped my colour choices. I wanted to capture the unique energy of Austin’s festivals, music, and art scenes, which pulse through the city day and night.
Selecting My Palette
My process for selecting colours began with the basics: primary colours of yellow, red, and blue. There are so many different versions of these primary colours available so it was important to decide which ones I wanted for this collection of paintings! Mixing these, I experimented on small swatches of paper and canvas, adjusting combinations until I found the perfect match for my vision. Below is a sneak peek at some of my initial mixes and the resulting swatches!
Following recommendations from fellow artists, I recently switched to using Nova Color acrylic paints and this is the first collection I’m creating using my new paints. This change allowed me a broader range to explore and refine the vibrant tones I needed.
Integrating the Palette into My Paintings
The palette I’ve chosen is designed to evoke a sense of energy and vibrancy, mirroring the lively essence of Austin. This choice is not only about aesthetics but also about conveying the city’s dynamic spirit in each brushstroke.
Join me for the Opening!
I’m so excited to showcase these paintings at the opening of our exhibition at 506 Congress Ave. Mark your calendars for February 28th from 5-8 PM, and come experience the energy and colours of Austin as captured in my latest works.
Can’t make the opening? Stop by on March 2nd between 2-3.30pm for our artist talk! Drop me a message to let me know you’ll be joining and hopefully see you soon!
