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For Colin Holloway, the joy of art lies in the mystery of creation, embracing the unknown and finding beauty in a blank canvas. His time as an Artist Resident at House of SOMOS in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica was no exception. A place that blends freedom with the unknown, SOMOS’ Artist Residency was a departure from the stillness of his home in Joshua Tree, an opportunity to refresh and let inspiration flow. The result? More than an escape, it was a reminder of the joy in the discovery and process, and the beauty of unexpected connections. Additionally, our friends at SOMOS were able to captured the magic of Colin's residency and we asked him a few questions about his experience.
I think a new setting is always good for the work. Costa Rica and all its lush qualities in particular was an amazing juxtapose to the dry desert. It was so nice to work in the studio. Take a break and go to the beach with with my family. Then go back to the studio with some new ideas after being salted and sun soaked. There were a few days of heavy rain which I had an especially relaxing and creative time that I look back very fondly on.
ARE THERE ANY RITUALS OR ROUTINES THAT HELP YOU GET INTO THE CREATIVE ZONE?
I like to have a nice beverage. Perhaps some coffee. Perhaps some mezcal. I sit in a chair in front of all my paintings and just take it all in before I start to dive in. Sometimes 15 minutes. Sometimes longer. It is good for me to ease myself into the paintings.
GIVEN YOUR BACKGROUND IN MUSIC, HOW DOES SOUND INFLUENCE YOUR PAINTING PROCESS?
I think writing a song and painting a painting are two very similar processes but I also think they are worlds away from each other at times. They are both about layering, but music is a lot easier to erase and try things out. Painting at times, not all the time, has to be deliberate. This is why I still like to bounce back and forth in these endeavors every few months.
It was a very creative and welcoming experience. Before I came to SOMOS, I feel I was in a creative rut. Nothing new, this happens to me from time to time. I was a bit nervous about producing work while at SOMOS. Everyone at the residency welcomed me and made me feel at home from day one. I got in a very creative and inspired mood while I was there. I really enjoyed all my time there. My mindset was relaxed and the work just seemed to flow.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE ARTISTIC PROCESS BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY AND FULFILLMENT?
The unknown. Stepping up to something blank and trying to draw whatever you can creatively muster from your head to make something beautiful and, hopefully, lasting.
IF YOU COULD SHARE A MEZCAL WITH ANYONE, ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I'd share one with just about any stranger. I love to sit down in a bar in a town I'm not from and talk to the person next to me. The most beautiful and, often, strangest stories emerge at those bar stools. Usually, I think for both of us, it is a non-judgmental place where two strangers can lay it all out. You find out about a person and they find out about you. You go your separate ways and never see each other again. There is something beautiful in that. But, also, maybe Hemingway.
I don't remember a time ever not making art. I think it grew into what is now over the past 6 years. More galleries and opportunities started contacting me and coming my way in that time. I am happy for that and the fact that more eyes get to see what I am making. But I also believe in growth as an artist and I am ever striving for more of that.
YOU’RE CURRENTLY BASED IN JOSHUA TREE. HOW DOES THE DESERT LANDSCAPE INFLUENCE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
I wouldn't say that the landscape is a strong factor in my work. Though it may seem so. I think the opportunity to build a studio and the unearthly stillness and quiet that comes along with being so remote has helped my scattered mind to settle down and work.
For Colin Holloway, the joy of art lies in the mystery of creation, embracing the unknown and finding beauty in a blank canvas. His time as an Artist Resident at House of SOMOS in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica was no exception. A place that blends freedom with the unknown, SOMOS’ Artist Residency was a departure from the stillness of his home in Joshua Tree, an opportunity to refresh and let inspiration flow. The result? More than an escape, it was a reminder of the joy in the discovery and process, and the beauty of unexpected connections. Additionally, our friends at SOMOS were able to captured the magic of Colin's residency and we asked him a few questions about his experience.
I think a new setting is always good for the work. Costa Rica and all its lush qualities in particular was an amazing juxtapose to the dry desert. It was so nice to work in the studio. Take a break and go to the beach with with my family. Then go back to the studio with some new ideas after being salted and sun soaked. There were a few days of heavy rain which I had an especially relaxing and creative time that I look back very fondly on.
ARE THERE ANY RITUALS OR ROUTINES THAT HELP YOU GET INTO THE CREATIVE ZONE?
I like to have a nice beverage. Perhaps some coffee. Perhaps some mezcal. I sit in a chair in front of all my paintings and just take it all in before I start to dive in. Sometimes 15 minutes. Sometimes longer. It is good for me to ease myself into the paintings.
GIVEN YOUR BACKGROUND IN MUSIC, HOW DOES SOUND INFLUENCE YOUR PAINTING PROCESS?
I think writing a song and painting a painting are two very similar processes but I also think they are worlds away from each other at times. They are both about layering, but music is a lot easier to erase and try things out. Painting at times, not all the time, has to be deliberate. This is why I still like to bounce back and forth in these endeavors every few months.
It was a very creative and welcoming experience. Before I came to SOMOS, I feel I was in a creative rut. Nothing new, this happens to me from time to time. I was a bit nervous about producing work while at SOMOS. Everyone at the residency welcomed me and made me feel at home from day one. I got in a very creative and inspired mood while I was there. I really enjoyed all my time there. My mindset was relaxed and the work just seemed to flow.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE ARTISTIC PROCESS BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY AND FULFILLMENT?
The unknown. Stepping up to something blank and trying to draw whatever you can creatively muster from your head to make something beautiful and, hopefully, lasting.
IF YOU COULD SHARE A MEZCAL WITH ANYONE, ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I'd share one with just about any stranger. I love to sit down in a bar in a town I'm not from and talk to the person next to me. The most beautiful and, often, strangest stories emerge at those bar stools. Usually, I think for both of us, it is a non-judgmental place where two strangers can lay it all out. You find out about a person and they find out about you. You go your separate ways and never see each other again. There is something beautiful in that. But, also, maybe Hemingway.
I don't remember a time ever not making art. I think it grew into what is now over the past 6 years. More galleries and opportunities started contacting me and coming my way in that time. I am happy for that and the fact that more eyes get to see what I am making. But I also believe in growth as an artist and I am ever striving for more of that.
YOU’RE CURRENTLY BASED IN JOSHUA TREE. HOW DOES THE DESERT LANDSCAPE INFLUENCE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
I wouldn't say that the landscape is a strong factor in my work. Though it may seem so. I think the opportunity to build a studio and the unearthly stillness and quiet that comes along with being so remote has helped my scattered mind to settle down and work.
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