Destination Palm Springs!
As an artist, I have been on a journey of self-discovery, experimenting with various styles and techniques to find my identity as an artist. Through trial and error, I have come to love some styles while recognizing others as failures, but I believe all of them were necessary in shaping my artistic vision.
I am excited to apply my past discoveries to a new subject matter that has been brewing in my mind for some time. The idea resonates with me, and I am thrilled to embark on this new artistic journey, with Palm Springs as our destination.
My love for art began at a young age, as I grew older, I continued to focus on art and have dedicated the past ten years or so to honing and refining my skills. I started with representational coastal landscapes, then moved into impressionism and abstraction before finding my way back to realist artworks, this time dedicated to Palm Springs and Southern California.
I am grateful for this journey and excited to see where it will take me next.
Growing up near the beach in coastal New Zealand and now residing in Queensland, Australia, I've always been drawn to the coastline and continue to find inspiration there. The clean and vibrant colours and warm lighting of the Sunshine Coast have always appealed to me and influenced my early representational paintings. While I initially favored realism, my desire to embrace a more painterly look through brush application drew me towards impressionism and the old masters of that period. I spent many enjoyable hours walking the galleries in London and viewing those extraordinary works during my time living there, and they were a great inspiration for my evolving artistic style.
My strong affinity towards colour has been evident since my youth, as demonstrated by the hundreds of dried-out coloured felt pens I dispensed with. Abstract art to me should be vibrant, colourful, and slightly chaotic, with a continued focus on the landscape as a subject. The paintings I produced were exciting statement pieces, but after experimenting with this style for a few months, I realized that it wasn't where my core skills lay. Therefore, I decided to take some time out for reflection and determine the next steps in my artistic journey.
With Covid putting a damper on our travel plans, we were starting to feel a bit antsy. But then, I stumbled upon this amazing YouTube channel called Windwalktours, which does virtual walking tours of locations all over the world. So we'd huddle up in our media room, turn off the lights, and feel like we were exploring new places together. It might sound a little kooky, but it was actually a lot of fun! One of our favorite tours was of Palm Springs, which is when my ideas began to coalesce. As a passionate movie enthusiast, I have long been aware of the exquisite architectural homes in Palm Springs, which were once owned by Hollywood celebrities from the golden age of cinema.
Palm Springs, located in Southern California's Coachella Valley, is a stunning desert oasis that has served as a popular retreat for Hollywood celebrities since the mid-20th century. From iconic stars like Carey Grant, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Kirk Douglas, Lucille Ball, and Dean Martin, to more recent personalities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, and even the former first family, the Obamas, Palm Springs is a destination that has captured the hearts of many.
The city boasts an impressive collection of mid-century modern architecture, characterized by its clean lines, classic car culture, and breathtaking desert landscapes, all of which offer endless inspiration and a fabulous motif for art and design. With crystal clear swimming pools, bright sunshine, and poolside lounging with afternoon cocktails, Palm Springs perfectly embodies the quintessential summer vibe, making it an ideal holiday destination.
It's no wonder that I was so keen to explore this magnificent city, as it has the potential to inspire and influence design all over the world, including here in Queensland and Australia.
When I first started experimenting with this new style, I have to admit there was some trepidation. Buildings, structures, people, and cars were not my usual subjects of focus. However, I knew that the only way to improve was to face this challenge head-on. With persistence and determination, I tackled each problem as it arose.
Now, a few months later, I'm happy to report that I'm really enjoying creating pieces in this style. I've developed a relaxed, summery vibe that I think is captured well in the bright colours of my work. Whether it's a brightly coloured door, an umbrella, or a pink floating flamingo, I'm proud of the progress I've made and excited to continue exploring this new style.
They are incredibly enjoyable to paint and offer the viewer a mental repose from the day-to-day. I'm pleased to have received positive and encouraging feedback thus far, and it's been a fulfilling journey discovering this new niche. With the valuable lessons I've learned along the way, I feel grateful and excited to continue honing my craft. I've found a new niche here and am happy to have learned plenty along the way. I'm home now, Destination Palm Springs!
