Have you ever noticed how the most interesting things often happen at the borders? As an artist, I've found that creativity often flourishes in these in-between spaces. In fact, the first name of my studio, before I was Elle & Wink, was The Ampersandwich— fully paying homage to the squished place between the ANDs!

Today, let's explore a concept from ecology that I've found surprisingly relevant to my art practice: the edge effect.

What is the Edge Effect?

In ecology, the edge effect refers to the increased variety of plants and animals that exist where two habitat types meet, like the border between a forest and a meadow. These transition zones are often richer in species and more dynamic than either habitat on its own.

As I was reading "Gaia's Garden" one sleepless night (hello, fellow insomniacs!), this concept jumped out at me. Even micro-niches experience the Edge Effect! Think of all the weeds that grow along a fence line, or the biodiversity of a road-side ditch that fills with the runoff after a storm. What’s more, I couldn't help but see parallels with my artistic process.

The Edge Effect: combining inspiration from multiple sources (in this case, Shakespeare, an anatomy book, bright contemporary colors, and a song by Kate Bush) is the fertile ground for something new to emerge.

The Artistic Edge Effect

In art, I've found that the most exciting breakthroughs happen when I'm working at the edges of my comfort zone or blending different techniques. My favorite way to start a series is to take two inspirations and smash them together, like I did when I mixed The Berenstain Bears with music from my Xennial youth. It's in these border spaces where:

Different mediums collide: When I combine acrylics with vintage paper collage, unexpected textures and depths emerge.
Styles overlap: Blending abstract expressionism with hints of figurative work often leads to intriguing, ambiguous forms.
Disciplines intersect: Bringing concepts from literature into my visual art opens up new avenues for expression and conversation.
Comfort meets discomfort: Pushing just beyond what feels safe often results in happy accidents and new discoveries.

Finding Your Edge

So, how can you find and exploit these fertile edges in your own creative practice? Here are a few ideas:

Combine unlikely materials: What happens when you mix oil pastels with your watercolors? Or incorporate found objects into your paintings?
Cross-pollinate your interests: How might your love of jazz influence your brush strokes? Or your fascination with quantum physics shape your compositions?
Collaborate across disciplines: Partner with a poet, a dancer, or a scientist. See what emerges when your practices overlap.
Push your boundaries: If you usually work small, try a massive canvas. If you're all about color, experiment with monochrome.

Embracing the Chaos

Now, I'll be honest - working at the edges can feel messy and uncertain. There have been times when I've stood in my studio, covered in paint and bits of paper, wondering if I've gone off the deep end. But that's when the magic happens. Combining my niche inspirations — like Shakespeare and pop music — has led to some pretty incredible personal breakthroughs (I’m thinking specifically about the time I was kneeling on the floor painting, and a song by Kesha actually made me cry and changed the trajectory of the entire Ophelia series).

Remember, in nature, edge zones can be places of disturbance and competition. But they're also hotspots of diversity and adaptation. Your artistic edges might feel chaotic, but they're also brimming with potential.

A Personal Edge Effect

Let me share another quick story. A while back, I was feeling stuck in my work, churning out pieces that I liked, but they were missing something. I was listening to some music (which I do often) and a certain lyric caught my attention.

Inspired, I returned to my studio and added some much-needed collage elements to my watercolor paintings. Watercolor met collage; I created an edge effect where none had previously existed, and the pieces evolved into something new.

Conclusion

The edge effect reminds us that borders aren't just lines of separation - they're zones of possibility. In art, as in nature, these in-between spaces can be where the most interesting and innovative things happen.

So, I encourage you to seek out your own artistic edges. Explore those borderlands between techniques, materials, or ideas. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but remember - that's where the growth happens. That's where creativity truly thrives.

What edges are you exploring in your art?

the Edge Effect: where creativity thrives in art