Not Knowing What Comes Next
One of the strangest parts of being an artist is rarely knowing exactly what the next painting will become.
After finishing a body of work or releasing a new collection, thereās usually a quiet in-between stage where everything feels slightly uncertain again. Colours begin shifting. New ideas appear slowly. Paintings that would have made sense a month ago suddenly donāt feel right anymore.
Lately, Iāve found myself drawn toward deeper colours than usuall, burgundy tones, soft blues, olive greens and darker layered backgrounds. Iām not entirely sure where theyāre leading yet, but Iāve learned not to rush that part of the creative process.
Some of my favourite contemporary paintings have started without a clear plan. A colour palette appears first. Then a shape. Then a feeling I canāt quite explain yet.
Over time, Iāve stopped trying to control every stage of the painting process and instead started allowing the work to evolve more naturally. Often the most interesting parts happen somewhere in the middle, when the painting still feels unresolved.
My studio floor is currently full of unfinished ideas, paint tests and colour combinations that may or may not become part of the next series of abstract still life paintings. Even though I donāt fully know what comes next yet, I think that uncertainty is an important part of creating original art.
Even though the colours and mood are beginning to shift, I still feel deeply connected to the Stillness series and the themes that continue appearing throughout the work. The series still feels ongoing ā just moving into a slightly different season.
The longer I paint, the more I realise that paintings usually know where theyāre going before I do.
As a Sydney-based contemporary artist, so much of my inspiration still comes from interiors, collected objects, warm light and everyday moments. Those themes always seem to find their way back into the work eventually, even when the direction feels unclear at first.
For now, Iām trying to let the next body of work unfold slowly.