Step inside my studio and discover how each abstract painting is created—from inspiration and emotion to brushwork and final layers.
Abstract art is often seen as spontaneous or unpredictable—but for me, it’s a layered process that starts with emotion and evolves through movement, composition, and instinct. In this post, I invite you into my studio and share how each painting comes to life—from the first sketch to the final signature.
1. The Beginning: Emotion First, Then Vision
Before I even touch the canvas, I sit with the emotion I want the piece to carry. Sometimes it’s stillness, sometimes tension. Often it’s a combination of contrasting energies—light vs depth, clarity vs complexity. I don’t plan an exact outcome. I plan a feeling.
Once I understand the tone, I sketch loose visual ideas—not shapes, but directions, contrasts, and color fields.
2. Preparing the Canvas
I prefer working on heavyweight cotton or linen canvas stretched by hand. For larger works, I use reinforced bars for durability and minimal warp. The surface is primed with gesso to create the ideal absorbency and resistance.
I begin with thin underpainting layers to create depth and tone, often working in neutrals or diluted pigment.
3. Building Layers and Letting Accidents Speak
The soul of abstract art lives in its layers. I use a combination of oil and acrylic depending on the piece. Some areas are bold and expressive—paint applied with palette knives or textured cloth. Others are sanded back, revealing what lies beneath.
These layers build a story. The canvas begins to push back—this is where I listen and adapt. Not every mark stays. But every mark adds.
4. Composition and Balance
Though the work may look freeform, I’m constantly balancing the piece visually. Every edge, space, and weight of color matters. I step back often. I turn the canvas. I view it under different light. A painting has to work from a distance and up close.
This stage can take hours or days. Sometimes, weeks.
5. Knowing When It’s Finished
There’s a quiet moment when the painting no longer asks for more. It holds itself. It breathes on its own. I usually sit with the finished work for a few days before sealing or varnishing—just in case it whispers something new.
6. The Studio Environment
My studio is a mix of quiet and chaos. Soft light, curated music, walls filled with evolving works. I keep dried brushes, paint-stained cloths, old reference sketches—they remind me that the process is alive, not perfect.
The space itself is part of the art.
Conclusion
Every painting I create is more than color and texture—it’s a translation of thought, feeling, and lived experience. When you bring one of my pieces into your home, you’re not just getting decor. You’re getting a moment, a story, and a piece of the journey.
Explore Original Works in the Studio
Follow along on Instagram for in-studio moments and work-in-progress posts
Or contact me for commissions or questions about the process
