A Simple Question Becomes Much More

It was such a simple question…

Would you like to color?

I truly had no idea what this simple question was going to create. When I decided to aim for an art project that might lead me to a gallery show or something more profound than what I had currently built my artist career on, I brainstormed a simple concept… take paintings I create and let people add to them at events to build a collage of canvases comprised of my artwork and the contributions of those who come to see it. However, what it ended up being after the first night of unveiling this concept ended up creating something much more beautiful, wonderful and amazing than I could have ever imagined.

My concept was simple; start a canvas, bring it to events, and offer to let people add to it. My original thought was that I would continue to do this to use as a background for a multiple canvas project that I would add artwork to in the end and make a large collection in which each piece intertwines with each other. What actually ended up happening was quite frankly so much more touching and just wonderfully human. Faced with an idea growing before my eyes, I decided to rapidly switch directions and let this project grow into something more than just myself. I decided that I would document this project in blog form so people could follow it as it continues to grow and take shape.

I didn’t even know if anyone would even want to add to this painting or if they would look at me like I was crazy; I just knew that if I didn’t just try to make this project happen soon, I might never do it. What began happening was just magical. Every person who agreed to add to my painting chose so many wildly different things to do but what was even more special to me was the interactions it lead to. It just wasn’t something I was prepared for at all or had even considered when I brainstormed this entire concept. People began to tell me so many stories and add simple things like scribbles and spirals, names, signatures or even little doodles they have used for a long time but it became about so much more than just what people chose to draw in just a few short minutes at my booth. Some chose to photograph the experience. Some wanted to know where the painting would be next so they could follow it as it changed. Some wanted to know the stories behind what others did and hear how the canvas came to be. Some simply took a few short seconds to scribble and sincerely thanked me for the opportunity to be a part of my art. It was an utterly joyous, infectious, humbling, wild and wonderful experience that became something so much more than just a painting people wanted to doodle on.

With that suprising turn of events, I decided I would now let the people who come see me ultimately shape what this project becomes. I don’t know where exactly that is going to go but I think there is something simple, freeing and unique in doing that. So what I am now going to do is bring this project to every event I go to and ask people that same purely simple question… would you like to color?

I will be following up each event with a blog post like this to reflect on the journey as well as take a picture of the canvas so people can see how this whole concept evolves and grows with all of your help. I don’t have much of a plan beyond that at this point but based on the pure joy this brought not just me, but every single human who came up and took the time to doodle and talk to me and my fiance… I think that is a leap worth taking and that I should just let this crazy thing become whatever it decides to become, which, if I am honest, just simply isn’t up to me alone anymore.

So… would YOU like to color???

If so, then come out to the next event I am at and experience that magic in that simple question for yourself.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t make sure I take a moment to thank each and every person who shared that experience with me this first night. Every single one of you gave me something I will genuinely treasure for the rest of my life, no matter where this crazy little idea takes me from here on out.

So, from the bottom of my heart and with the utmost sincerity…

Thank you. <3

The first night.

A closer look at the first set of doodles.