THE STORY OF SPECTRUM Part II
So. SPECTRUM already existed…
Now what?
Well. As I looked on, and saw the very realization of my dreams on the screen. I also began to realize all of the self-doubt I’d been carrying.
Ellsworth Kelly hadn’t been concerned what anyone thought. He didn’t care if others perceived it as too “simple”, not “original” enough, or that “anyone could do it”.
He was bold enough to execute his vision with confidence, and was a successful artist still being talked about decades later. Would I follow in his footsteps or just look on?
I took a lot away from this message. That moment shifted something for me, and though it wasn’t instantaneous, it was part of a series of events that has continued to push me, encourage me, and expand me as an artist.
Even if a version of SPECTRUM already existed - I knew it would be meaningful to create my own concept and to follow through on that vision that felt so powerful, instinctive, and meaningful to me. And if Ellsworth could do it, so could I.
As time went on I applied this concept in every area. I shed layers and layers of things that I’d done and decisions I’d made out of fear of what others would think. I started saying no to pet portrait commissions and work that didn’t resonate. I left the job, the place, the relationship to make space for the things that I truly desired. I began to believe in myself. And as my life began to take a very different direction, slowly but surely the things that WERE meant for me have continued to pour in.
SPECTRUM stayed with me through all of this. I contemplated the colors, what each of them meant to me, I’d write notes and day dream about it, and how I might go about making each one unique yet cohesive. Then, one day, I finally HAD IT!
**Curtain Opens**
It’s December 2025. I am living on the West Coast in a place that I love, a home that I love, with the man that I love, in a community I love.
But my heart is broken.
Things are heavy. Politically, socially, emotionally, culturally, I find myself worn down by the various pressures, demands, strife and inhumane acts we are constantly bombarded with. I see struggle, distress, fear, and division. I am tired of the rat race of consumerism and the toxic pollution exhausting our people and planet.
I am tired of “building a business”, of social media, of the frenetic pace of the world and the constant need to do/be/have more.
I just want to CREATE FOR THE HELL OF IT. Because I was inspired to. Nothing more.
One day, as I’m in my studio, I have a Eureka moment -
I know exactly how I want to approach SPECTRUM! A way to make them original, cohesive, simple, and poignant.
I pull up the old notes in my phone. (They’re actually still there, wow! Thank goodness).
I get excited imagining how I can make my own unique expression of this same idea held by another artist decades ago. I feel connected and inspired and realize that I don’t want to make this for any other reason than art for art’s sake and that feels SO GOOD.
In fact, I want to bring this same feeling to other people.
I contact two local artist friends about putting on a community show where we celebrate art, emotions, expression, community, because ART DOES GOOD.
I challenge them to each pick a personal project that they’ve been putting off and tell them I’ll be creating a series called “SPECTRUM”.
So we plan it.
And I begin.
When I feel joy, I paint.
When I feel frustration, I paint.
When I feel sick to my stomach, I paint.
When I feel hopeful, I paint.
Sometimes I dance and paint.
Some nights I stay up until 2am and paint.
I shut out the world and I paint.
It's a simple concept (the colors of the light spectrum in a specific order), so my brain feels freed up and relaxed. I love how this is so uncomplicated. I love how it feels spacious. It becomes a living meditation.
Mixing colors to just the right pigment.
Slowly building up layer by layer to the right saturation.
Pressing my paint wedge into the gushy pile of paint and applying it to the canvas.
Measuring to the center.
Taking my time and not rushing it.
There is plenty of time. There is stillness.
Creating in a way that feels so good in my nervous system… no pressure, no demands, no expectations. I crave more of this, and I continue to listen.
Before long, SPECTRUM is born.
In March 2026, Lore Alexander, Ashley Laufer, and myself host a joint community celebration and Pop Up Show "Internal Landscapes: An Exploration of Emotions Through Art" at Artsi Creative Space, featuring SPECTRUM, and some incredible work by them and host Antonio Holguin (more on that to come!).
We have an amazing turn out and a beautiful time, with smiles, laughs, creations, shares, and inspiration all around.
I feel like Ellsworth Kelly, as I smile to myself and see my paintings hanging on the wall -
the colors shining down like a warm rainbow reminding me it’s ok to feel emotion.
It’s ok to trust my inner vision.
It’s ok to take my time.
And I can always come back to stillness.
Thank you for reading <3
The S P E C T R U M collection will be privately releasing June 1, 2026 at 9am PST for a special 24 hour preview to those on my email list before the wider public.
Join the private reveal and make sure not to miss future art by clicking “See New Art First” at the top banner of my website.
I can’t wait to share these special paintings with you!
XX,
Elisabeth