When I was younger, I was obsessed with moss. I wanted to hold it, to feel the green pillowy material within my grasp, to roll around in it, and sleep face down just to understand what it liked about staying in the ground. I was six, and had fully believed that I too could become moss, perhaps even a sentient moss, a ghost moss or something, I hadn’t sorted out the details. Predictably, when I found out that moss is just a plant with no super creature powers, and even worse that I couldn't become it, I was devastated. As a six year old, short attention span and all, I quickly moved on, but I can't help but think of my younger self when attempting to explain my fascination with mold.
Though a strange subject, I have found over the years that Mold is an exemplary art subject. It offers distinct textures, forms, and colors. Mold is an unusual, captivating muse. The complexity of mold makes it a perfect subject to explore, especially for artists interested in nature, textures, and the unconventional.
1. Unique Textures and Patterns
Mold comes in a fascinating array of shapes and textures, from fuzzy, pillowy growths to intricate, lacy webs. These structures lend themselves well to creating richly textured, visually intriguing art. Mold’s organic forms can enhance your skill in creating depth and detail. Translating these textures to your medium challenges you to explore new techniques and can add an organic quality to your artwork.
2. Experimenting with Color
Many people associate mold with dull colors, but many species of mold have surprisingly vibrant hues— pale pinks, soft greens, vivid oranges, and even glowing neon shades. Drawing mold can push you to play with color palettes you may not normally consider. Mold-inspired hues can create an unexpected but natural harmony that adds depth to your portfolio.
3. Challenging Yourself to Find Beauty in Unlikely Places
Mold is often seen as unpleasant or unattractive, but by drawing it, you can cultivate an appreciation for the overlooked beauty in “ugly” things. This shift in perspective can expand your artistic horizons, making you more open to finding beauty in unusual places. Through art, you can challenge viewers to re-examine their assumptions about what’s “gross” or “ugly” and to see the extraordinary patterns that nature creates in places we may overlook.
4. Broadening Your Artistic Themes
Themes of change, resilience, decay, and rebirth all have a natural link to mold, which makes it an evocative subject in storytelling, whether through visual art, comics, or illustrations. Mold can represent the transient nature of life or symbolize the persistence of life even in decay. As a subject, it challenges artists to explore darker, more complex themes without resorting to clichés, which can lead to deeply impactful art.
Drawing mold concepts isn’t just a fascinating way to explore textures and colors; it’s a practice that opens doors to broader artistic themes, consider checking out artists Kathleen Ryan, Elin Tomas, and Hannah Kwasnycia if you’re interested, and remember to not sniff bread mold so your face doesn't fall off.
NOW I AINT SAYIN SHE A GOLD DIGGER BUT SHE AINT MESSIN WITH NO broke... uhh... guys?