Releasing a Collection
Painting and releasing a body or work into the world is a journey. It’s a lot of fun but also a lot of hard work to create a collection of paintings!
Working in collections has allowed me to create a nice flow in my painting practice and gives me a plan (your girl needs a deadline) for the year. But best of all is the narrative that forms around a collection of paintings. I love when I get to share that story with you so you can make your own connections with the work!
2021 has seen two collection releases so far — Faith in February and Tangerine Skies in May — in addition to my monthly Small Works practice. So let’s take a look at what it has been like to create and release these two collections!
Steps for creating and releasing a collection:
Get inspired! Whenever I’m at the coast I take lots of photos that I can reference for inspiration. Sometimes one evening on the North Carolina coast is all I need, like this one!
Decide on the theme. For me, this is the story behind the work, some of which develops as I paint!
Go shopping! I take stock of my art supplies in the studio and head to my local arts store to get everything I need.
Prep. I prep my panels early so the surfaces are ready when I’m ready to paint! This includes things like putting painter’s tape on the edges to keep them clean.
Paint! Ahh the fun part. When I get in the flow painting and jamming out to music, this is pure magic!
Patience. I make sure paintings are good and dry before moving on.
Bring out the power tools! Time to add hooks and wire to the backs.
Show and tell. After a lot of reflection on my part, I take what I’ve painted and put it into words; and I have everything photographed by the lovely Allison Nichole Photography. Then it’s ready to share with you!
This is a super simplified list, but hopefully it gives you a glimpse into my process (without completely boring you with the nitty gritty details)! And if you have a painting (or two!) from one of my 2021 collections, you now know a little more about how your painting came to be!