Developing Color Harmony Through Premixed Acrylics and Finishing Touches

This framed acrylic collection explores abstraction through impressionistic principles, using expressive color, layered texture, and deliberate dabbing techniques to create atmospheric depth. The work emphasizes the balance of spontaneity and intention, focusing on how shifting palettes, textured application, and light-inspired color relationships can evoke the essence of nature without depicting it literally.

The Process
Vibrant Flowers began with bold, energetic mixes of acrylic color, applied through dabs and layered touches that established its lively composition. Companion pieces, including Springtime Flowers, were created using a cooler and more curated palette, with premixed shades selected for harmony across the collection. Once dry, metallic accents were brushed lightly across select areas to introduce subtle shimmer and dimension. Each painting was then sealed with Mod Podge Acrylic Sealer, Super High Gloss Finish to heighten vibrancy and unify the surface.

Inspiration for these pieces came from impressionist-style acrylic techniques demonstrated by artist Kathleen Rietz, whose YouTube tutorials encouraged a more intuitive approach to palette development and expressive painting to create colorful, floral abstract artwork pieces.

Inspiration & Meaning
The collection reflects the shifting moods of nature through color, texture, and seasonal tone. Vibrant Flowers conveys the warmth and abundance of a sunlit field, blending rich pinks, reds, yellows, purples, and orange tones to suggest energetic bloom. Springtime Flowers captures the freshness of the Easter season, using fuchsias, pinks, lavenders, and yellows to symbolize renewal and early spring vitality.

The impressionistic influence supports an emphasis on atmosphere and color-driven emotion. Vibrant Flowers received First Place at the Visual Art League of Lewisville’s March 2025 meeting, and work from this series contributed to Artist of the Month recognition.