From Blank to Bold: A Peek Into My Latest Work

Every painting starts with a feeling. Sometimes it’s clear and vibrant; sometimes it’s hazy and waiting to take shape. The making of my latest painting started in the shadows—but ended up pulling me somewhere entirely different.

I’ve been thinking about this piece for a while. I knew I wanted to show O in a quiet, contemplative moment—just her head barely peeking out from a body of water, with only her eyes and the top of her head visible. I imagined it dark and moody, maybe even a little mysterious. My references were all in black and white or sepia tones. It was meant to feel still, almost heavy.

But when I sat down to paint, something shifted.

My hand reached for the neon paints before I even realized it. The bright colors pulled at me. And suddenly, the feeling of the piece changed. It was no longer just about stillness—it was about emergence. A quiet kind of strength.

I only had a loose plan: O’s head would be centered on the canvas, with a few guiding lines for the horizon and break point. The rest, I let unfold.

---

Behind the Scenes: The Making of My Latest Painting

Since I don’t have a dedicated studio space, I paint at my desk. It’s not a big setup, but it works—and I’ve learned that a little intention goes a long way. I make sure everything I need is within reach before I even start. Once I’m in the zone, I don’t want to go searching for a brush or tube of paint. The act of setting up feels like part of the creative ritual now.

My first step is always prepping my workspace and my paint palette. I use a Masterson Sta-Wet Palette, which helps keep my paints fresh for days (sometimes even longer). I like how tidy it feels—like opening a well-organized toolkit before a job. Since I tend to work on a painting over the course of a week or two, this palette is a game changer.

For this piece, I reached for my Neon Acrylic Gouache paints—especially this Fluorescent Opera Pink by Liquitex—it’s one of my absolute favorites and brings such a vibrant glow to any piece.

Because the neons are semi-transparent, I planned to use them for highlights only. That meant I needed my base layers to be rich, deep, and saturated.

I started at the top of the canvas with the sky. I knew I wanted something soft and dreamlike—an ethereal atmosphere that would pull viewers in right away. After not painting for a few weeks, I gave myself permission to ease back into it. Painting “happy little clouds” was the perfect way to warm up, let go of pressure, and just enjoy being back in the flow. (When I paint clouds, I always have Bob Ross’ voice in my head—especially from this video.)

---

Bringing O to Life in My Latest Painting

Once I felt good about the sky, it was time to bring O into the scene. She’s the emotional anchor of the piece, even though only the top of her head and eyes are visible. That was the vision all along—just a quiet, watchful moment of her peeking out from beneath the surface.

As I started painting her, the phrase “peek-a-boo” kept popping into my head—and now that I’ve shared the final piece, it’s what everyone keeps saying in the comments, too. It’s playful and mysterious, which is exactly what I wanted this moment to feel like. O isn’t hiding—she’s watching, waiting, emerging.

I painted her head with care, keeping the shape clean and centered, but letting the energy around her stay a little loose and fluid. The contrast between her calm gaze and the glowing, bright world around her became the heart of the piece. It feels like she’s inviting you in, without saying a word.

The neon colors played beautifully into the water and reflections. I used them sparingly, layering them over deeply saturated base tones. The effect feels luminous—like the painting glows from within.

O has taken on many forms over time. If you want to see how she’s evolved, check out this post.

---

The Making of My Latest Painting: From Concept to Completion

The making of my latest painting surprised me in the best way. It began with stillness and turned into something bold, glowing, and full of subtle tension. That duality—quiet and electric—is something I’ve been exploring a lot lately in my work, and this painting captured that energy in a way that feels fresh.

I finished it just in time, the same weekend as my art exhibit. It feels like a creative chapter is closing right before I head off on vacation—and I’m carrying a lot of gratitude with me.

---

See the Final Piece

I’ve already shared this finished painting on my socials, and I’ll be adding more close-ups and behind-the-scenes details soon. You can check it out now on my Instagram, and it’ll be making its way to the Shop when I return from vacation.