PAL Art Tip: See Like Georgia O’Keeffe
When people think of Georgia O’Keeffe, they picture her luminous flowers—petals stretching across entire canvases, so magnified that they become almost abstract. O’Keeffe once said, “Nobody sees a flower—really—it is so small it takes time. We haven’t time, and to see takes time—like to have a friend takes time.”
That phrase isn’t just poetic—it’s a reminder of how artists can transform the act of looking into an art form itself.
Slow Looking as a Creative Practice
Instead of rushing through a subject, O’Keeffe chose to linger. She zoomed in on a single petal, curve, or fold until it became a world in itself. For artists today, this practice of slow looking is a powerful tool. By focusing on one small detail, you’ll notice subtleties in color, light, and form that might otherwise be invisible.
Try this exercise:
Take a flower, shell, or even a piece of fruit.
Instead of sketching the whole, choose one detail—the edge of a petal, the seam of a leaf, the curve of a rind.
Enlarge it on your page until it fills the space.
Push yourself to see beyond the object—explore the abstract shapes and patterns within.
Why It Works
This practice isn’t just about technique; it’s about training your eye. Georgia O’Keeffe’s large-scale flowers taught us to look deeper, to slow down, and to pay attention to beauty in overlooked places. When you practice this, your work becomes both more personal and more powerful.
Connect with O’Keeffe’s Legacy
O’Keeffe’s art reminds us that observation can be transformative. By giving attention to what seems small or ordinary, you can elevate your work—and your way of seeing the world. Whether you’re painting, drawing, or working in mixed media, slowing down and looking closer will add depth and richness to your art.
So this week, take a cue from Georgia O’Keeffe: make the small things monumental.
