I was moving my artwork into a storage box when I found an old sketch that I used for the basis of “Bloom,” a large acrylic painting that I created back in 2013.
I know that one way to help overcome a creative block is to find old artwork you’ve done and recreate it. Although I don’t experience creative blocks so much anymore, seeing this old sketch gave me the idea to do just that.
While painting “Another Bloom,” I remembered the long and meticulous process of painting the original version, and who I was back then (10+ years ago) compared to now. A lot has changed, and a lot has remained the same.
I also remember how the drive home from the studio that day was kind of serendipitous. When Radiohead’s “Bloom” began to play, it really seemed to connect with how I felt about the piece. That song felt (and still feels) like a mirror to what I was able to put together. Anytime I hear this song it brings back a flood of different memories and emotions.
Although I enjoyed the process of painting the newer version, I still have a special place for the original version. Maybe because it marks a significant period of my artistic journey as well as the fond memories of being in Pic’s studio.
Below are images of the original “Bloom” sketch and the final painting, alongside the new version, “Another Bloom.”
What do you think?