Sometimes You Just Need to Play
Not every day in the studio is about creating a masterpiece.
Some days are just about showing up.
A lot of people know that I paint on canvas board, but what many don’t realize is that I rarely throw anything away. When a painting is finished, there’s always paint left behind on the palette. Instead of scraping it into the trash, I save it. Over time those leftover piles of color become their own little collection, waiting for another chance.
Eventually I’ll hit one of those days where I need to loosen up.
Maybe I’ve been away from painting for a bit. Maybe I’m in a creative funk. Maybe I just need to get my hands dirty again.
That’s when the palette paintings come out.
These aren’t planned compositions. They’re not commissions. They’re not made with any expectations. They’re simply a playground.
I’ll sit down with an old palette, start moving the paint around, and let my imagination take over. Faces begin to appear. Figures emerge from the chaos. Shapes reveal themselves the longer I stare at them. It’s the same pareidolia process that inspires much of my work, only this time it’s even more spontaneous because the colors and textures are already there.
There’s no pressure.
No overthinking.
Just play.
The Studio Never Sleeps
In the background, the Ecto-1 painting is still coming along. There are several other projects lined up as well, including Resist the Power—I’ll share more about that one soon.
It’s also that time of year again.
Halloween season is creeping closer, which means Dark Arts show season is right around the corner. Normally I don’t start thinking seriously about those paintings until August, but this year I’m getting an earlier start. Big projects have a way of sneaking up on you, and I’d rather have the extra time than be racing the calendar.
If you’re an artist with a fall show coming up…
It’s time.
Get painting.
Florida’s Favorite Season
Summer is winding down, which means here in Southwest Florida we’ve entered rainy season and hurricane season.
Personally?
I love it.
Ever since they installed that giant flagpole nearby, I’ve been watching the weather almost as much as the radar. It feels like every thunderstorm decides to park itself right over that flag.
My weather app keeps making promises it can’t keep.
“Thunderstorms ending at 2:30.”
Then 2:30 rolls around.
“Thunderstorms ending at 5:30.”
Then 5:30 becomes 7:30.
The storms just linger.
And honestly, I’m here for it.
I know thunderstorms make a lot of people nervous, but I’ve always loved them. The lightning. The thunder. The energy in the air. There’s something incredible about watching nature put on a show.
Showing Up Anyway
Truth be told, this was one of those mornings where getting started wasn’t easy.
You know those days when you wake up and just stare at the wall for a while?
That was today.
I wasn’t exactly overflowing with ideas, but that’s okay.
Sometimes the answer isn’t to wait for inspiration.
Sometimes it’s simply to hit record.
To paint.
To ramble.
To create something anyway.
Because momentum is built by showing up, even on the days when you don’t feel like you have much to say.
That’s the goal.
Make something every day.
Nothing’s stopping the train.
Until next time, don’t forget to be the best version of yourself that you can be.
Take it easy.
