How do I figure out what I’m doing next?

This month I have shifted to making new work. Its spring, a new season and a new energy and feels like time for new ideas to grow. 

I am always inspired by the seasons but mid-April to early June is my favourite time of year. Everything growing and expanding and becoming colourful. Its a joyous time and it makes me want to make lots of new things with abandon.

I guess it can get a bit unmanageable without some structure and this year I decided back In January that I could do anything I wanted but it needs to be about blossom, spring flowers and new leaves  and align with the theme of looking closer. That still gives me loads of choices and freedom but having some constraints always helps me to get going. If I have completely free rein, I can’t begin at all due to indecision.

I started off this project by taking the chance on any sunny days that arrived to take photos of blossoms, flowers and new leaves. I love taking photos on those days. It’s a joyful experience.  Sometimes I wonder if maybe  one day I will focus on photography but as always once I started playing in the studio when I got home I decided again, no, painting it is. I also have a library of photos from previous years and I have refereed to those a lot this year. 

I chose a new colour palette and started playing on pieces of scrap paper. This is what happened……

I like the colours. Some of the orangy reds and  greens I think of as “ugly” combinations but actually I love them. Even more I love the intense blues of the sky on a sunny day next to blossom. So I have something here to get me started here for sure.

I am now just getting started on some 12x12in paintings on board. I’m letting things develop for this work. Its all a bit random at the moment which feels free and exciting.  I think my previous series was a bit too planned and tight so I’m enjoying playing for now.

What do you do when you start new work? I’d love to know.