I’m often most inspired by those around me. The ideas that evolve directly out of everyday circumstances can be very powerful. I try to stay conscious of my surroundings and let ideas wash over me like a warm light. A warm, inspirational, great-idea light.
While recently documenting the Living Walls conference here in Atlanta, I felt that warm light. Being surrounded by street artists from all over the world and watching them create original works on gigantic walls really struck a chord in me. I have a background in fine art, not unlike MailChimp’s creative director, Ron. So when I mentioned the idea of painting a Freddie head and applying it to a billboard, his eyes lit up.
I spent a week, painting a little every day. Adding, subtracting, using different methods, experimenting. In the end, it came down to layers, and not overworking it. I needed to get the painting to a good place and then leave it be. Once finished, I snapped a photo and tweaked some elements to get it ready for its billboard debut. I’m hoping it’ll shed some warm light on its new surroundings.