Artists who indulge in the painting process have become quite familiar with a palette, or tool in which one mixes paint. However, in this article I was inspired by my wife's observation and now propose a new definition for the art palette. The palette is not only an instrument for the process of constructing paintings, rather a new canvass for artistic expression.While preparing and mixing paint on the palette, there is something profound created in the process. Most artists will continue to construct their painting and completely disregard the palette as simply, a tool. However, the used palette can be seen as its own piece of abstract/action art resembling the works of Jackson Pollock (famous 20th century expressionist artist). This mistaken art should now be referred to as Subconscious Palette Art because it follows the same criteria of "the subconscious artist paradox" (a generation of art unbeknownst to the person who is creating it).
In a previous blog I had mentioned the “subconscious artist paradox” with reference to graffiti art removal (suggested by Portland Filmmaker Matt McCormick). This notion of subconscious art happens more frequently than one would imagine; graffiti removal, used stencils, scribbled or crossed out doodles, etc. Palette art should now be included in the subconscious art discourse.
It is questionable whether or not the art community will embrace palette art as a true form of artistic expression. Nevertheless, palette art just might be more aesthetically pleasing than what was consciously constructed. So the next time you decide to wash your palette after a long session of painting, take a closer look at what has been created in the process--you just might want to relish it!
Subconscious Palette Art…you heard it here first.
