Embracing the Canvas: Size Matters for Female Artists
For many artists, the size of their canvas is more than just a practical consideration; it’s a reflection of emotional and creative journeys. As female artists, we often navigate complex feelings around painting big versus small. In this post, I want to explore why we sometimes feel drawn to large canvases and why, at other times, the comfort of smaller pieces calls to us. This may even unfold into a three-part series examining the emotional landscape of our artistic choices with a gender lens.
For years, each summer was my season of large canvases, taking advantage of the sunshine to paint outside. I used to love working on those expansive 4-, 5- and even 6-foot canvases. There was something so liberating about throwing myself into those big pieces—engaging my whole body, pouring emotions onto the canvas over weeks or even months, layer by layer.
But this summer, things felt different. I only worked on one midsize canvas as part of my Soulful Stories workshop, and even that didn’t feel quite right. Instead, I found myself gravitating toward small pieces—some as tiny as a few inches, others just 8 to 10 inches. Most of my time was spent arranging tiny bits of handmade papers, dried flowers, and delicate origami fragments. It was intricate, quiet work, and it felt like exactly where I needed to be.
It’s made me wonder if this shift reflects something deeper—a change in where I am emotionally and mentally. Painting is such a healing process for me, and I think that when my emotions were bigger, I needed big spaces to hold them. There was something cathartic about spreading out on a large canvas, throwing paint, and getting lost in the process for days. But now, it feels like my emotions have softened. I’m in a different phase of healing—one that’s more peaceful and content, where I can sit quietly with tiny details and enjoy the gentle pace of working small.
There’s also a beautiful brevity to these smaller pieces. Within a day or two, I can complete something meaningful and share it with the world. It feels lighter—less like a grand emotional journey and more like a moment of joy, a small gift that’s enough just as it is.
In art communities I’m part of, I often hear artists express fear about painting big—they worry that their ideas won’t translate to a larger canvas or that it will be too overwhelming. That fear never made sense to me before, because I used to love going as big as possible. But now I think I understand. Painting large requires a willingness to surrender, to embrace the unknown. It’s a bold, physical conversation with the canvas. Working small feels quieter—more like a gentle dialogue with myself.
It’s been a good reminder to honour where I am in the creative process and trust that it’s okay to move between scales, just as we move between different energy levels and emotions. Large or small, every piece has something to offer us. And maybe the real magic lies in listening to what size feels right for us at any given time—whether that’s a tiny paper bloom or a great big canvas filled with layers of story.
I decided go a bit deeper into the factors involved in painting big or small. I am sure that there’s often a deeper emotional or practical reason behind our choices, something quietly guiding us to express in just the right way in that moment and I want to know more!
Do we crave the spaciousness of a large canvas during different seasons of our creative journey? In others, do we find comfort in the quiet containment of smaller art. Neither is better or worse—maybe they’re simply reflections of what we need at a given time. What I think is beautiful is noticing where the pull is, and allowing it to guide us without judgment. Sometimes, the smallest works can hold the biggest truths, and sometimes we might need a wall-sized canvas just to paint one simple line.
Why Are We Drawn to Paint Big?
Painting big often feels like taking up space, both physically and emotionally. It’s a way of saying, "I am here. I have something important to say."
Here are some reasons that might call us toward larger canvases:
Freedom of Movement: Big canvases invite the body into the process. Sweeping arm movements and full-body engagement allow for a dance between the artist and the canvas. It feels liberating—like flying a kite compared to threading a needle.
Expressing Big Emotions: When emotions feel too large to contain, like grief, anger, or joy, a bigger surface feels like the only place those feelings can land. The size holds space for what words cannot.
Desire to be Seen: Painting large can symbolize a need to be heard and noticed, almost as if we’re saying, "This matters. I matter." It’s an act of self-assertion and presence.
Immersion and Escape: A large painting can act as a world unto itself. Sometimes, we need to get lost inside it to process something from within. The bigger the canvas, the deeper (and longer) the immersion.
Why Are We Drawn to Paint Small?
On the other hand, small paintings are like intimate conversations, requiring careful attention and closeness. Here’s what might draw us toward them:
Comfort and Safety: When life feels overwhelming, painting small offers a sense of control. There’s no need to conquer a massive surface—just a tiny corner of the world to express ourselves quietly and intentionally.
‘Delight’ in Detail: Small canvases invite us to lean in and appreciate the little things—the fine lines, delicate marks, and subtle textures. There’s magic in the intimacy of creating something that asks the viewer to come closer.
Portable and Manageable: Small art might reflect a desire for simplicity, for something that feels manageable. We might feel drawn to paint small when time or energy is limited, or when life feels chaotic and we need an anchor.
Whispered Messages: Where large art shouts, small art whispers. It speaks to the part of us that enjoys secrets, subtle meanings, and gentle expressions.
Have you considered why you work in the sizes you do?
Have your paintings changed in scale over time?
Do you spend time reflecting on any of this, like me?
Please share your thoughts with me. I would love to know your perspective on this!
In my next blog post the conversation continues…
Size, Gender, and Taking Up Space
All this talk of canvas size has me recalling conversations in many art circles, where I’ve heard people—particularly women—express fear about working big. They say things like, "What if my work doesn’t translate to a large canvas?" or "I’m not sure I can fill that much space." It made me think about how society, especially for women, often teaches us to stay small. We’re subtly told to shrink our presence, take up less room, and avoid being "too much." Large-scale painting challenges that narrative. It demands boldness, visibility, and a willingness to say, "I am here, and I deserve this space."
0 comments
Leave a comment