ArtPrize 2025

‘a sense of play’

Artprize 2025: September 19- October 4

SHowing at Now Studio Gallery, Grand rapids

I decided to give it another go… artprize 2025. this year my piece, ‘a sense of play’ is hanging up at now studio gallery in grand rapids on division ave. this gallery is a pop-up space from the art of life. they have over 50 artprize artists and have also invited other artists from the area to join in. they are hosting many events during the few weeks of artprize; artisan markets, shows, movies.

‘a sense of play’ began with small works playing around in a bright and bold color palette. I did not have a sense of composition when I began. color is usually what draws me in. over the past year bright colors have been my jam. but in the beginning i was timid with them. now i let them fully come to play! and how fun it is! my art rarely leans toward the serious. (there is enough of that in the world.) for me bright and bold colors bring out the playful and joyful and fun.

the first mark on this piece was the dark blue on the right. I loved how intense it was when applied thickly, but then i also loved the effect on watering it down and seeing it lighten. SO that was my next step. from there i just let my intuition guide me. sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. That’s ok! I can’t get too serious about what i do on the canvas because that kills creativity. i almost have to have a shoulder shrug attitude about it all. then if it doesn’t work, I can say, “oh well”, paint over it or change it somehow and move on. Each stroke and mark lead to the next one.

So, with all that being said here’s my tip to you… have a shoulder shrug attitude. not in the way of you don’t care, but with an oh well mentality that lets you make changes. you can apply this to your creative practice to help you move forward and you can also apply to other areas of your life. Yes, that part is harder, so practice it with your art first. I will be taking my own advice here!!