Studio Journal Entry 011: The Story Behind Boom Bloom
"Some paintings begin with a plan. Others begin with a spark."
Boom Bloom was definitely the second kind.
By the time I painted this piece, I already knew I wanted to create another colorful burst inspired by the same energy that had led me to Supernova.
But this time, I wasn't chasing a specific outcome.
I was chasing curiosity.
What would happen if I put this color next to that one?
What if I pushed the contrast a little further?
What if I simply stopped trying to predict the ending?
Painting has always been my favorite way to answer questions like that.
At this point in my creative journey, I was still experimenting with almost everything.
Every canvas was another opportunity to discover something I hadn't tried before.
Every painting taught me something new.
This one certainly did.
Not everything went according to plan.
Some of the colors didn't play together the way I'd imagined they would, and I found myself trying to "fix" them over and over again.
Eventually, I had to laugh.
The green wasn't going anywhere.
Instead of fighting it, I decided to work with it.
Funny how often life asks us to do exactly the same thing.
One of my favorite details came at the very end.
The gold flashes bursting from the center were a last-minute decision.
They easily could have pushed the painting too far.
Or...
They could become the finishing touch.
Sometimes you don't know which choice is the right one until you make it.
Thankfully...
No regrets.
When I stand in front of Boom Bloom today, the first thing I feel is awe.
Not because of what the painting looks like.
Because it reminds me of that feeling just before something exciting begins.
That split second where possibility feels bigger than certainty.
Years ago, after our company went through a major reorganization, one of my bosses shared something that's stayed with me ever since.
"If you stay positive, open-minded, and flexible, there's always a place for you."
I've carried those words into more than just my career.
They've found their way into my studio, too.
Boom Bloom reminds me that what doesn't challenge you won't change you.
Sometimes the unexpected color becomes your favorite part.
Sometimes the thing you were trying to paint over becomes exactly what the painting needed.
If Boom Bloom could say one thing...
I don't think it would whisper.
It would grin, throw its arms in the air, and simply shout,
"Hey!"
Like an old friend who's genuinely excited to see you.
Until next time,
Thanks for spending a few minutes behind the easel with me.
One of my favorite things about abstract art is that no two people experience a painting the same way. If this piece reminds you of a place, a memory, or simply a feeling, then it's already begun a conversation—and I love that.
See you in the studio,
Lisa
LBW Creative Studio
——
One Last Thought Before I Clean My Brushes
"Growth doesn't always arrive quietly. Sometimes it bursts into our lives wearing impossible colors, asking us to stop overthinking and simply enjoy what's unfolding."
