Make It Blue: Cat Spilman

This new direction mirrors personal changes in Spilman’s life over the past year, including a move to a new city and studio. Embracing this period of transition, she sought to challenge herself artistically, resulting in a vibrant new collection that pushes beyond the black-and-white compositions she’s so renowned for. While her work retains its abstract forms and energetic compositions, colour now plays a central role in her work. Reflecting on her evolving creative approach Spilman explains; “I’ve spent years building an ‘alphabet’ of shapes and forms. Now I finally feel like I know my alphabet well enough to start making words.”

The introduction of colour in Make It Blue is rooted in Spilman’s admiration for the bold, playful aesthetics of mid-20th century design, particularly the bright, nostalgic tones found in 1960s advertising and children's books. This era, with its distinctive use of colour and shape, has long influenced Spilman, and in this new collection, she channels that inspiration into her works.

Although incorporating colour represented a bold shift, it was not without challenges. Spilman spent months experimenting with different palettes, working until she found combinations that felt authentic to her style. This process of trial and error allowed her to balance the energy of colour with the strength of form that has always defined her work. While the vibrant hues may be new, Spilman’s emphasis on shape and composition remains at the core of her practice. Her abstract forms continue to drive the pieces, with colour enhancing the emotional depth rather than overwhelming it.

Having described here previous abstract works as ‘self portraits’, this new series of works delve deeper into a more autobiographical territory, “I’d describe these works as ‘autobiographical.’ They represent not just myself, but the various parts of my life—family, friends, and a sense of place,” Spilman says.

Spilman’s process remains spontaneous and fluid, allowing her paintings to evolve organically. Layers of paint and experimentation reveal glimpses of earlier versions, adding texture and complexity to the finished pieces. This openness to imperfection gives her work a dynamic, layered quality that speaks to both her personal and artistic growth.

Make It Blue marks a pivotal moment in Cat Spilman’s career, offering a fresh perspective on her evolving practice while remaining true to her abstract, bold style. 

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