On my travels I often come across inspiring architectural art installations. These works are everywhere and can be the beginning of a wonderful art journey. The key for architectural art such as murals and other large scale pieces is scale. I always begin with an idea, which then becomes a small scale piece.
This is because, in my process I am not only choreographing the application, I am also orchestrating and organizing color. The order by which I apply these colors is incredibly important, the mix ratios must be worked out on a small scale if a larger scale is going to be a success.
Only when a smaller piece, not a sketch mind you, but a finished piece, only on a small scale, is complete and all the color ratios and mixtures (as well as the additives if any), can a medium sized piece be attempted.
The way I do this is to keep notes in the form of a Session Journal. This is not only a way for me to keep track of all my little discoveries on the journey, it also is an incredible tool for ideation and preparation before I begin a piece.
Sometimes these small works will never become a larger piece, sometimes they will. I keep the small piece in my view. If the piece sticks, I may make a larger version, with or without changes. It all depends on what I decide in my future thought process.
I don’t know the artists who created these amazing monumental scale pieces, but I am forever inspired by their creativity and effort. Try it yourself. Take snaps of the street art wherever you go and let it infuse your artistic mind so that when you sit down for your next art exploration, the empty canvas is much more welcoming.
