In the 17th century, there was a genre of Dutch still-life paintings called “Sottobosco.” Translated from the Italian word for “undergrowth,” these paintings (like the below “Snakes and Butterflies” by Dutch artist Otto Marseus van Schrieck) put the viewer directly on the shadowed forest floor in a humble, up-close-and-personal view of botanical life.
But “Sottobosco” can also be translated to “lowlife.” Paintings of the dirty ground? The forest floor? Perhaps they were not deemed fit to grace the homes and salons of wealthy patrons. After all, this was also the Baroque period that produced Bernini’s “Ecstasy of St. Theresa” and grand, otherworldly scenes like “The Triumph of the Immaculate” by Paolo de Matteis.
Living just outside of Portland, I spend a lot of time in the Oregon Cascade forest and observing its understory. A mountain chain created by millions of years of (still-active) volcanic activity, the rich soil is what provides the foundation for the beautiful, thriving forests that are synonymous with the Pacific Northwest.
In Create First, I’m inviting you to experience creativity “in Sottobosco”: the forest floor, the rich soil, the foundation on which great creative work can grow and thrive. From living a balanced creative life, to the branding challenges we face, to honing your craft, to inspiration gathered inside and outside of Focus Lab, I offer a humble view on the fascinating inner workings of creative innovation.
Stay inspired,
Natalie Kent, Creative Director
“Snakes and Butterflies” by Otto Marseus van Schrieck
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