Painting a Purse: Letting Color Wander
A Blank Beginning
It started with a plain white purse. Simple. Blank. Almost asking for something more.
I wanted to create something that would complement two different colors—teal blue and a deep, dark green. Something playful, alive, and a little unexpected.
I didn’t want to overthink it. I just wanted to see what would happen. So I picked up my brush and dove in.
“No plan, no sketch, no rules. Just instinct.”
Layering Without a Map
I started by layering colors, letting teal and green take the lead. Some strokes were bold, others soft.
Then I’d step back, sometimes remove a layer, blend another, and add a tiny pop of surprise color.
It became this back-and-forth—almost like a conversation between me and the purse. The colors started telling me where they wanted to go, guiding me to create a look that worked for both outfits.
“It wasn’t about getting it perfect the first time. It was about seeing what happened when I kept going.”
Depth Through Trial and Error
What made it exciting was how unpredictable the layers were.
How light hit the curves.
How overlapping shades created unexpected depth and movement.
How mistakes could turn into opportunities with one more brushstroke.
Each adjustment brought it closer to feeling complete.
Color in Motion
By the end, the purse felt alive—a little wearable canvas, full of energy and balance.
More than just a purse, it became color in motion.
A reminder that sometimes the best results come from not knowing, from trying and messing up, and trying again.
“Because art doesn’t always need a plan. Sometimes it just needs space to breathe.”
A Reflection
Art doesn’t have to hang on a wall. Sometimes, it’s in your hand—moving with you, reminding you that beauty often comes from trial, error, and the courage to keep going until it feels right.
“Have you ever reworked something over and over until it finally clicked?”
This purse reminded me that sometimes, the process matters just as much as the result.
This piece is a small reminder to trust the process - to keep layering, adjusting, and listening until something feels right.
I'm continuing to explore non-traditional surfaces like this, letting objects guide the work and embracing what unfolds along the way.
