Background Art Challenge Paintings 6-10

6.) Coffee Shop - "My Cozy Coffee"

I was really excited to work on a coffee shop design. I’m not quite sure what inspired me to dive back into markers after years of not using them, but I decided to make this piece entirely in marker. To my surprise, it turned out to be one of my favorites — definitely in my top five from this collection. Coffee shops have a certain coziness to them, a kind of warmth that feels like a second home, and that’s exactly what I wanted to capture. The biggest challenge was the coloring process, especially since many of my markers were old and began drying out halfway through. But I pushed through and was proud to see it completed.

7.) Greenhouse - "Flower House"

I didn’t love this piece as much when I first painted it, but it’s really grown on me over time. “Greenhouse” was an interesting prompt — I had to decide whether to focus on the interior or exterior. After looking through a lot of references, I found one that spoke to me. The layout and colors fit well with my style, but the subject still offered a challenge. The structure included both solid walls and transparent windows, with a view of the interior, while the outside was filled with dense, detailed plant life. I tend to get lost in the details — sometimes forgetting that simplicity can often get you closer to the essence of what you’re trying to express.

8.) Observatory 

This gouache piece was a pleasure to paint — it felt simpler compared to some of my other works, which made it a much-needed creative break. I’ve never been to an observatory (though I hope to someday — stars are fascinating), so I had no choice but to rely on photo references. Most of the images I found were either uninspiring or looked like more work than I was ready to tackle at the time. But then I found one that stood out. It was simple, but full of interesting colors and atmosphere, so I went for it — and I’m glad I did.

9.) Kitchen- "Just a Kitchen"

This piece was done in oils. I sifted through tons of reference photos trying to figure out what kind of kitchen I wanted to paint. Eventually, I came across a photo I had taken myself. It wasn’t anything special — just a regular kitchen — but it got me thinking about the kitchens I grew up in. The mismatched colors, the old wooden cabinets… it all reminded me of places that felt like home. I tried to capture that warmth through the palette and composition, aiming for something comforting and familiar. The only thing missing is a home-cooked meal. Maybe next time I paint a kitchen, I’ll add that in.

10.) Campsite- "Campsite"

For this one, I picked up my markers again. I was away from home at the time, and markers were the easiest materials to bring along so I could keep working on the series. I’ll admit — I’ve never actually been camping, though I’ve always wanted to go. So this piece was based entirely on imagination and references. It turned into a cute, simple illustration done with pen and markers. Even though I haven’t experienced camping firsthand, I tried to channel the sense of quiet and coziness I imagine comes with it.