We invite you to immerse yourself in the Collab Lab’s latest curated collection, where the spectrum of blue takes center stage. From the deep, soulful echoes of midnight indigo to the bright, electric energy of azure, this show explores the rhythm, mood, and incredible versatility of this iconic color.
Take your time to explore the gallery and appreciate the incredible craftsmanship of these talented creators. As you view each piece, scroll down to read the Artist’s Notes and discover the personal stories, melodies, and inspirations that allowed these artists to truly “play the blues.”
Enjoy the journey through the “Playing The Blues” challenge!
ARTIST’S STATEMENTS AND MORE INFO
Stay by My Side, Blue Sky
SkyBlueWithDaisies
- Medium: Acrylic on canvas
- Dimensions: 16 x 20 in.
- Availability: Not currently for sale
Artist’s Note
“Recently, I have connected deeply with my mom over Pink Floyd music, and it has been very healing in our relationship and the recent loss of my dad, her high school sweetheart. This painting likely developed out of the feelings I’ve experienced in the frequent listening of Floyd with my mom this past year, learning from her about the music and her memories with my dad, and the way it brings him closer to us. I love to get lost in my acrylic colors, mixing them until I feel something, and putting them where they want to go. The colors in this painting all contain a bit of my favorite tube of turquoise blue, and they all contain each other, in muted but uplifting hues. The orange is the color that connects me most to my dad, in the deepest of ways. He surrounds me, and my mom, when we listen to Floyd. This painting reminds me that he surrounds me in the warm paint colors, the summer breeze, and the sunny blue skies.”
Inquiries: Visit: https://www.skybluewithdaisies.wordpress.com or https://www.instagram.com/skybluewithdaisies
Islander (#277)
Lisa Graff | Rusty Boat Studio | USA Pacific Northwest
- Medium: Mixed Media Collage on Canvas
- Dimensions: 24 x 12 x 1.5 in.
- Price: $450 (Available for purchase)
- Note: The painting is sealed with a UV-protective acrylic varnish.
Artist’s Note
“I started this fun artwork by writing about living on an island in the background. In a vintage dictionary, the description for ‘Islander’ is a person born or lives on an island. In reference to the line in the movie ‘Jaws’ (and likely the book), an islander is a person born on an island :). This artwork is one of my Islander series.”
Inquiries: Visit: https://www.RustyBoatStudio.com
OCEAN
Sara Neville
- Medium: Altered abstract Acrylic pouring experiment
- Price: $100 (Available for purchase)
Artist’s Note
“Altered abstract Acrylic pouring experiment. Evolved itself into the energy of LAKE SUPERIOR… Michigan’s inland ocean.”
Inquiries: Email: saraartist1508@yahoo.com
HMCS Sackville
Michael Strangelove
- Medium: Acrylic on wood
- Dimensions: 14 x 11 x 1.5 in.
- Price: $140 CAN (Available for purchase)
Artist’s Note
“The HMCS Sackville is the last surviving Flower-class Corvette, built in Canada during WWII. It is berthed at a wharf in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, where I spent much of my childhood.”
Inquiries: Visit: https://studioyow.ca/ or https://www.instagram.com/studio_yow/
ROSIE
Sara Neville
- Medium: Portrait
- Availability: Not For Sale (NFS)
Artist’s Note
“Portrait of my baby Rosie at 4 years old. She is an Angel now.”
Inquiries: Email: saraartist1508@yahoo.com
Stellar Nocturne – Celestial Sky Pendant Necklace
Klee Angelie Jewelry
- Medium: Hand-forged solid sterling silver and genuine labradorite
- Price: $399.00 (Available for purchase)
Artist’s Note
“Designed for those who find peace in the celestial, Stellar Nocturne is a wearable piece of the night sky, captured in silver and stone. This design is an exploration of the quiet, expansive beauty found in the deep and vibrant midnight sky, and our ever-present wonder at its majesty and mystery.
The setting is entirely and meticulously built by hand with my hand tools and skills. Because it was hand-forged and not casted or machined, it is truly one of a kind and can never be exactly duplicated—just like the night sky as seen by one person in one moment. I also consider this piece to be me playing ‘Blues Improv.’ I had a design in mind and the stone is nothing short of exceptional and inspiring, but every step of building it was a challenge to see if I could bring the vision to life. Pivots were made, lessons were learned, and although there were ‘tense progressions’ at times, I was able to bring it home harmoniously, and ultimately I’m thrilled with what came of it.”
Inquiries: Visit: https://www.RafiandKlee.com
The Woven Window
Ashley Hastings
- Medium: Acrylic on canvas
- Dimensions: 12 x 36 in.
- Price: $195 CAD (Available for purchase)
Artist’s Note
“This painting was inspired by the childhood craft of weaving paper and the simple act of looking out a window at the sky. The woven structure reflects both the patterns created by paper weaving and the grid of a windowpane framing small pieces of sky. It explores childhood wonder—the way simple materials and everyday views can spark curiosity, creativity, and imagination.”
Inquiries: Web: https://www.ashleyhastingsart.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyhastingsart Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyhastingsart
Golden Ocean Sunset
Rafi Perez
- Medium: Mixed media on canvas
- Dimensions: 30 x 30 in.
- Price: $545.00 (Available for purchase)
Artist’s Note
“With this piece, I wanted to capture the rhythmic, almost hypnotic energy of the horizon where the sky meets the sea. The ‘drip’ technique represents the fluid nature of time and memory. It’s how a single moment of beauty, like a golden sunset, doesn’t stay static but bleeds into our emotions and colors our entire perspective.”
Inquiries: Purchase at: https://rafiandklee.com/product-category/all-creations/rafi-art/
Hope
Coty Montroy
- Medium: Watercolor on paper
- Dimensions: 9 x 12 in.
- Price: $40 (Available for purchase; no international shipping)
Artist’s Note
“I want to show that even when things look gloomy or sad, there is always hope.”
Inquiries: Portfolio: https://cotymontroy.exposure.co/my-paintings?source=share-Cotymontroy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirvanashots
Shades of Blue
Tyler Butler
- Medium: Watercolor, gouache, and soft pastel
- Price: $40 (Available for purchase)
Artist’s Note
“Layers of blue watercolor and gouache went into the underpainting. Afterwards I went with soft pastels to draw out feelings of loneliness and self worth.”
Inquiries: DM via Instagram @tylerbutlerart or Facebook at The Art of Tyler Butler
Morning glory of the heart
Raven Demerath
- Medium: Acrylic on canvas
- Dimensions: 16 x 20 in.
- Availability: Not currently for sale
Artist’s Note
“Inspired by the grasp a love can have on our hearts, and how fleeting it can be.”
Inquiries: Message via Facebook at Humble Homestead: https://www.facebook.com/humblehomesteadwi
Moon flowers on the mind
Raven Demerath
- Medium: Acrylic on canvas
- Dimensions: 16 x 20 in.
- Availability: Not currently for sale
Artist’s Note
“Inspired by the hold memories can have over us, even after time has passed.”
Inquiries: Message via Facebook at Humble Homestead: https://www.facebook.com/humblehomesteadwi
Heron’s Ghost
Sami Cave
- Medium: Canvas panel mounted on wood
- Dimensions: 4 x 4 in.
- Price: $75.00 (Available for purchase)
Artist’s Note
“The blue heron feels the blues—solitary, reflective, and grounded in still water. In Heron’s Ghost, a faint mist behind the bird hints at a second presence, the spirit of something once there.”
Inquiries: Visit Sami Cave Studio: https://samicavestudio.com/
Star Flowers
Bret Schwalb
- Medium: Recovered bismuth metal and reclaimed copper wire
- Price: $1,350.00 (Available for purchase)
Artist’s Note
“Recovered bismuth metal and copper wire reclaimed from a garage door motor form a story of renewal.”
Inquiries: Purchase at Bret Schwalb Studio: https://bretschwalbstudio-shop.fourthwall.com/products/star-flowers-original-artwork
Waters Passing Time
Brian Berg
- Medium: Acrylic and modeling paste on canvas
- Dimensions: 30 x 40 in.
- Price: $380.00 (Available for purchase)
Artist’s Note
“30” x 40″ acrylic and modeling paste on canvas.”
Inquiries: Email: designerbrianberg@gmail.com
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Awesome to see the talent and variety in the Rogues!
So great everyone! Thank you Rafi and Klee💙🩵🦋