Every piece of art starts with an idea, but where does that idea come from? For me, developing a concept is a layered process that involves personal reflection, subconscious inspiration, research, and intentional design choices. In this blog, I’ll walk you how I develop concepts for my art- from the first spark of inspiration to the final brushstroke.
1. Personal Reflections & Life Experiences
For example, The Duality of Love series emerged from contemplating the complexity of love- its highs, low, beauty, and struggles. I knew I wanted the series to have a darker tone than my previous work, which set the foundation for everything that followed.
2. Dreams & Subconscious Inspiration
I have a very active dream world, and often my dreams provide vivid visuals, symbols, or themes that influence my work. A perfect example of this is my Sand Art series. One night, I dreamed of watching mesmerizing sand art move across a giant open sky. That imagery stayed with me, leading me to ultimately experimenting with blended background and neon layers to recreate that dreamlike effect in my paintings.
Dreams offer me raw, unfiltered inspiration. While I don’t always replicate them exactly, they act as a starting point, guiding my artistic vision in unexpected ways.
3. Defining the Emotions & Message
Once I have an idea, I take time to consider how best to express the emotion or theme behind it. The overall feeling of the piece determines everything that follows- colors, composition, styling, and even the medium I choose.
For example, when working on The Duality of Love painting, I wanted to communicate power and resilience. That led me to depict O as a queen, which naturally brought me to my next step: Research.
4. Research and Deepening the Concept
Research plays a crucial role in how I develop my art concepts. Once I know the general direction of a painting or series, I dive into references to strengthen the concept. For the Duality of Love series, I researched medieval royal attire, crowns, and jewelry to create and authentic visual language for O. This led me to explore medieval knights armor, architecture, and mythical stories of that time period.
When I create art that includes symbols or cultural references, I also take time to understand their meanings. Whether it’s esoteric symbols in the Sand Art series or the iconic styling in my digital Fashion History series, research ensures that my choices feel intentional and meaningful.
90s Glam Fashion’ – A tribute to the bold, opulent, and high-fashion energy of the supermodel era.‘70s Disco Fashion’ – A dazzling tribute to the glamour, energy, and nightlife of the disco era.‘Late 70s Hip-Hop Fashion’ – A tribute to the golden era of hip-hop and the birth of street style.
5. Choosing a Color Story
Color is one of the first visual elements that connects with the viewer on an emotional level. That’s why, once I’ve solidified my concept, I carefully select a color palette that aligns with the story I want to tell.
I mix most of my own colors, which allows me to create specific shades that evoke the right emotion. In the Duality of Love series, I chose darker more saturated tones than in my previous work, with gold & bronze acting as a unifying element throughout the series.
For the Sand Art series, I incorporated fluorescent paint to enhance the dreamlike quality and ensure the pieces captured the essence of the imagery in my subconscious.
6. Styling O to Bring the Concept to Life
Since O is at the heart of all my paintings, her facial expressions, outfit, and accessories, are crucial to conveying the theme of the art.
First I decide on her expressions. Over the years, I’ve challenged myself to create a diverse range of emotions for O since her face is the focal point of each piece.
Second I determine if she will have an outfit, accessories, what her hair color and eye color will be, and the most fun part for me, what her makeup look will be. These details, much like in everyday life, bring the entire concept together.
Bringing Fashion into My Art
My background in the fashion industry naturally influences how I style O, whether in paintings or digital art.
In my digital art series Fashion Through the Times, I explored fashion trends from the 1950’s through the 1990’s using O as a way to showcase each era’s distinct style. My favorite collection in this series was the 1980’s hip-hop fashion, where I styled O with:
Kangol hats
Thick gold chains
Adidas track suits
This era’s fashion wasn’t just about clothing- it was a statement of identity and culture. Even today, elements from 80’s hip-hop style continue to influence pop culture and streetwear.
‘Hip-Hop Fashion’ – A tribute to the golden era of hip-hop and the birth of street style.
7. Establishing a Visual Thread (for a Series)
If I’m creating a collection of paintings, I consider what will connect them visually.
A recurring symbol or set of corresponding symbols
A consistent color palette
A stylistic technique
This ensures that while each piece stands alone, as a series it feels cohesive and intentional.
8. Sketching & Bringing the Concept to Life
With the concept finalized, I move into the sketching and planning composition. Sometimes, I experiment with color swatches or thumbnails before committing to the full piece. Other times, I let the painting unfold naturally, making adjustments as needed. Small refinements, layering, and final details bring everything together in the end.
Developing an art concept is an evolving, layered process that involves personal reflection, subconscious inspiration, research, and creative decision- making. By blending these elements, I create work that is both visually engaging and deeply meaningful. Every artist has their own approach, this is how I develop my art concepts:)
If you’re an artist, I’d love to hear from you. How do you develop your concepts? Drop a comment below or connect with me on social media.
