10/08/2026
As part of a class, I did an artist study of an Edward Hopper painting. What I learned transcended art, especially with regards to what he communicates about light and how we see things.
1. Light changes everything.
Sometimes it’s not what you’re looking at that needs to change.
It’s the way you’re looking at it.
2. Shadows aren’t always gray.
Things don’t always have to look the way we expect them to in order to be beautiful. I used blue in this shadow instead of just black or gray - who knew the effect it would have?!
3. You can’t have light without darkness.
Contrast is what makes us appreciate what shines. My teacher always say, “Don’t be afraid of the darks.” I think about that often.
4. Less can be more.
When we quiet the noise, we sometimes notice what was important all along.
When everything is grabbing our attention, it’s hard to discern what actually deserves it.
5. Your perspective matters.
We can look at the same thing and see something completely different.
Maybe that’s what I love most about art.
It teaches us to slow down, look closer, and see things differently.
And sometimes, when we change the way we look at something...
we change the way we experience it.
