The First District in My New York Series

It begins with a feeling. A memory of New York's energy—the way light flows between buildings, how colors clash and harmonize in the urban chaos, how cast-iron facades reflect in modern glass towers.

For my New York Districts series, I wanted to capture that essence, but in my own way: abstract, geometric, and with a focus on color and composition rather than literal representation. This first work represents the creative energy and artistic diversity of a neighborhood known for its galleries, cast-iron architecture, and unique mix of art and commerce.

From Inspiration to Design

The first district in this series began digitally. I experimented with color planes, proportions, and rhythm in Canva until the composition was perfect. Each block represents a feeling, a moment, a fragment of the city that never sleeps.

The colors were deliberately chosen: warm terracottas and pinks alongside cool blues and greens, with accents of yellow and deep black. It's a balance between tranquility and energy, between structure and spontaneity – a reflection of the tension between the industrial past and the contemporary art scene.

This neighborhood holds a special place in my heart. During my visits to New York, I felt most at home here—among the galleries, the vintage shops, the cobblestone streets. There's a creative energy you won't find anywhere else. I try to translate that feeling, that sense of artistic freedom and historic charm, into geometric shapes and color.

The Painting Process: From Digital to Canvas

Once the digital design was finished, the real work began: transferring it to canvas. I work with high-quality acrylic paint (primarily Amsterdam and Liquitex) on a 60x80cm canvas, carefully applying each color plane in multiple layers.

The beauty of working in series is that you develop a rhythm. Each layer builds on the previous one, and slowly the painting comes to life. The geometric composition demands precision – I work with FrogTape for clean lines and pencil to lay out the composition. But it also allows room for spontaneous decisions during the painting process: a color that turns out slightly differently than expected, a transition that turns out more beautifully than planned.

On average, I apply three to four coats per surface to achieve the right coverage and color intensity. Between coats, I let the paint dry—sometimes expedited with a hairdryer if time is of the essence, but usually just patiently waiting. This layering process adds depth to the work, a richness you can't achieve with a single layer. You can read more about this technique in my article on classical painting techniques .

From Skyline to Districts: An Evolution

This Districts series is a natural evolution of my previous Skyline series . While Skyline works like Dawn , Day , and Night focus on the silhouettes and vertical lines of the city, the Districts delve deeper into the individual characters and colors of specific neighborhoods.

It's a shift from viewing New York from a distance to experiencing the city from within—from panorama to detail, from skyline to street level. From the iconic skyline you recognize on every postcard to the unique energy you feel when walking through a specific neighborhood.

This approach – translating urban energy into geometric abstraction – is inspired by artists such as Josef Albers and Mark Rothko , who proved that colour and form can convey emotion without literal representation.

Part of a Greater Whole

This first district marks the beginning of a journey through my interpretation of New York. Each work in the series stands alone, but together they tell a larger story about color, composition, and the city's energy.

This first work was followed by the second district with its vertical dynamism and intense colours, and the third district with horizontal tranquility and natural tones – each with its own character and colour palette, but all connected by the same abstract, geometric approach.

Frequently Asked Questions about the New York Districts Series

What is the difference between the Districts and Skyline series?

The Skyline series focuses on the iconic silhouettes and vertical lines of New York, with works like Dawn, Day, and Night that show the city from a panoramic perspective. The Districts series, on the other hand, delves deeper into the individual characters of specific neighborhoods, focusing on color planes and geometric compositions that capture the unique energy of each neighborhood. It's a shift from skyline to street level, from distance to intimacy.

What sizes are available?

This first district is painted on a 60x80cm canvas. For other sizes and prints, see the New York Districts collection, where various options are available.

Is this an original or a print?

This article describes the creative process behind the original painting. The original is a unique work, painted with acrylic paint on canvas. Depending on availability, high-quality art prints of this work may also be available in the collection.

How long does the painting process take?

The process begins with digital design and experimentation, followed by the careful application of each layer of color to canvas. With three to four layers per surface and drying time between layers, a work from the Districts series can take two to three weeks to complete. Each painting is given the time it needs to reach its full potential.

What is the inspiration behind the colors?

The colors are inspired by the energy and diversity of New York itself. The warm terracottas and pinks represent human warmth and creativity, while the cool blues and greens reflect the urban texture and tranquility. Accents of yellow and deep black add contrast and dynamism – just as the city itself is a constant dance between opposites.

What materials do you use?

I work with high-quality acrylic paints from Amsterdam and Liquitex for their consistency and color intensity. For clean lines, I use FrogTape masking tape, and to lay out the composition, I use a pencil and ruler. Quality materials are essential for geometric precision and durability.

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