Back to Blue

“All your pictures look the same. They’re all blue. With some of the person clear and some not.”

Some recent feedback I received, with love from my girls. Followed by an invitation to branch out from my blues. They wanted to paint with me, each of us working with a color that I don’t often use. I loved the challenge. I loved that they wanted to be right there with me.

I made several purple paintings that day. Next step was to start experimenting with these paintings. Scanning through my old images, I pulled this one to work with. I loved the lighting, the reflection, and the reaching. 

I tried several different backgrounds with this portrait. I tried several different paintings to mix with it. My intention was ‘try something a little different’.

I kept the subject larger than I usually do, let it fill the frame more. I do like them. But I kept going because I didn’t feel enough when looking at these. This part is hard to put words to, but I was looking for something that makes me take a longer pause. I look for a feeling that makes me want to scan the image slowly, something that has different pieces to be considered, like a puzzle that is unique to me. I found it in this one.

It is blue. I did not use one of the new paintings. And it was all time well spent.

I deeply value all of these little details. The feedback offered, the encouragement to grow, the support of sharing time and space. And in the end, I get to decide what to hold on to. Intentionally stepping outside of your normal flow, even just a little, is so important. Sometimes it can open doors to new possibilities that lead you in a new direction. Sometimes it leads you right back to what is familiar, solidifying things that are meaningful to you.