As part of my short artist residency with the Downtown Austin Space Activation (DASA), I’m creating paintings inspired by Austin, my current home. While I started with the exploring architecture, I’m excited to celebrate one of Texas’s most stunning natural features through these paintings—the springtime wildflowers. Their vibrant displays left lasting visual imprints on my mind’s eye in my first year here and now inspires my latest series of paintings.
Winter Research for the Residency Project
While winter’s chill lingers and wildflowers are yet to bloom, my project preparations led me to the warmth of the central library. I’m a little bit of newbie when it comes to flowers, especially naming flowers (definitely no green fingers here), so I decided to don my student hat. There were plenty of books on Texas Wildflowers, though two stood out to me: Texas Wildflowers Impressions by Rob Greebon and Richard Reynolds, and Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide by Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller.
These books have opened a window into the rich botanical diversity of Texas, which boasts over 5,000 species of flowering plants—nearly a quarter of all species found in the U.S! Austin’s unique position at the crossroads of three vegetational regions enriches this visual display, offering a wide array of species and colours to explore and incorporate into my art.
Colour Inspirations from Nature for My Residency Work
Drawing from these resources, I’ve noted an array of colours—warm blues, deep pinks, vibrant yellows, and subtle whites. These aren’t just visually striking; they embody the energy and renewal that spring brings. Capturing these in my paintings is not only about aesthetics but also about conveying the joy and vibrancy they inspire.
Sketchbook Insights: Developing Ideas
My sketchbook is brimming with drawings of various wildflowers, allowing me to experiment with their integration into my larger works for the residency. These sketches are crucial for conceptualising how the wildflowers’ forms and colours will blend with the urban landscapes I am focusing on during my residency.
Integrating Wildflowers into My Residency Art
This series, a central part of my residency project, explores themes of growth and new beginnings—reflecting my journey of making Austin my new home. By weaving the shapes and colours of Texas wildflowers into the urban settings, I aim to symbolise renewal within the city’s landscape. These concepts are beginning to flourish on the canvas and in my work so stay tuned!
Thank you for following my residency journey. In my next post, I’ll delve deeper into the painting process, sharing how these themes of renewal are taking shape on canvas.
