If you visited the Boysen booth in the different trade exhibits this year held in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Pampanga, and Iloilo, you may have noticed in some of them huge murals being painted by visitors using the colors of this year’s Boysen Color Trend Ascension. The murals are 3.4 meters in width and 2 meters in height. Many of our guests need a step stool to reach the upper portions.
This mural concept called the Boysen Color Stories was introduced in 2019. Each of the four Boysen Color Trend palettes of the year were creatively interpreted by four artists into murals. It was brought back in 2022 and now again in 2024. It is really a crowd pleaser. People get the chance to color the huge illustrations, and at the same time experience the paint palettes up close.
This is the last in four posts that gives a glimpse of the artist behind the mural and his creative process.
The Abundance Palette Mural
The Abundance color palette has bright and vibrant colors inspired by nature. It’s full of life and joy as shown in the saturated, bright colors of reds, yellows, and greens.
Zion Santos was responsible for making the mural for this color palette. Here is the Q&A.
What were your thoughts when you were assigned the Artistry color palette?
Abundance has colors that depicts life at its brightest—red, orange, yellow, lime, green, and pink.
Before the video script was given to me, the initial artwork I had in mind was a grassy field full of flowers and fruits. However, I had to change that scenario when the brief I received was about having an underwater scene. At first, I was hesitant because I had to create an underwater-themed mural with no blues to work with.
Given those colors and the mural theme I was assigned to, I had to remove everything I knew about the word “blue” and “water”. I had to stop taking things too literally and just start imagining how to piece together the only resources I had.
What mental associations arose when you thought about your theme?
My brain fart led me to random existing works to get inspiration, and the first idea that popped in my head was the mosaic artworks in churches. The glass-tinted windows didn’t have to be too literal to deliver a clear message, so I went with that aesthetic to solve my problem with the colors.
Weirdly enough, I had previously imagined myself underwater, lying on a shallow seabed and asking myself, “What are things would I probably see if I’m down here, looking above?” That was the question that catalyzed me to imagine the underwater scene.
What elements—for example, layout, contrast, balance, space, hierarchy—did you prioritize?
I had four subjects that I had to keep in mind. I had to figure out where to place them and what to prioritize—1) The jellyfish, 2) the sun and its rays, 3) the other marine animals, 4) and the corals reefs.
To establish symphony and balance I thought of following the golden ratio as a guide for composition, to complete a wavy/flowy vibe that would also lead the viewer’s eye.
What do you feel about the colors in your palette?
Throughout the process, it made me feel comfortable stepping outside what we already know. The yellows and greens, although the most challenging to work with, became my favorite colors.
I had to be careful with how I combined the colors though so that the ocean wouldn’t look like it’s polluted. One wrong move, then it will literally defeat the whole purpose of the artwork.
Did you enjoy this project?
Yes, it made me feel accomplished as an artist. I don’t get to do these often so I’m glad to say that this was literally a “work with progress.”
There was a lot of imagination involved, a lot of unlearning to do, research to make things factual, and just literally trust in the process.
From conceptualization down to the final edits, out of all the things I’ve submitted for work in general, this is the most I am proud of.
Have you seen your design in the mural size?
Not yet. I’m not in Boysen anymore, but if I get the chance to see it in person, painted by booth visitors, I’d probably shed a tear.
I’d probably say to myself in silence, “It might not be a big deal for anyone, but it is to me. Maybe it’s just a canvas to be painted on by strangers, and those strangers have elsewhere to go, but they chose to go to the canvas and paint a design made by me.”
Based on only the colors, what is your favorite color palette for Boysen Color Trend 2024-2025?
Obsidian (from the Alchemy color palette), I love black.
The Abundance Mural
Move the slider to the left and right to see the black and white and colored versions of Zion’s work. The Abundance mural has not yet been shown in any of the exhibitions, but it is scheduled for installation this year.
What is exciting about having the mural is that visitors to the booth follow their own aesthetics when they paint the artwork, not following the way the artist used the colors. Based on our experience, most people visiting the booth and coloring the murals do not know each other but still they seem to work together because the painted mural at the end of the exhibition looks great.
If ever you see our murals in a Boysen booth in upcoming exhibitions, don’t hesitate to approach us and pick up brush and paint. It is a relaxing activity, and can help you catch your breath as you go around the big hall.
The Abundance Animated Video
In case you missed it, here is the animated video about Artistry.
If you want to know more about the story of the palette and what it symbolizes, go to this link.
Zion Santos
Zion was one of the youngest members of the Boysen Comms team. After a short stint with Boysen, he left to pursue his other dreams.
Zion said, “The jellyfish story is literally a parallel to how I imagined it would look like if I visit a Boysen exhibit that will be showing this mural. This artwork is what helped me get to where I am today. I hope that when I see students or visitors paint on it, they too will get inspired.”
Good luck with your new adventure, Zion! I hope things are going swimmingly with you, just like your jellyfish mural.
For more about the Abundance color palette, click on this link.
