Rather than making a loose sketch of what is to be created, the artist simply begins by making marks on the canvas. Once the first marks are there, the artist then responds “intuitively” to figure out how to react next. Whatever colors, shapes or mediums that call to the artist most strongly in that particular moment, are what he or she will use for the next steps.
Most Intuitive Art involves lots of layers and potentially lots of different mediums, which allows it to sometimes fall under the Mixed Media category.
While working on an Intuitive Art piece, the artist’s goal is to trust the process and lean on his or her intuition to respond to whatever is on the canvas. This method includes choosing colors, creating shapes, marks and symbols in the artwork. For example, if the canvas has orange scribbles all over it, the artist might check in with their own intuition to see what feels most exciting to add next. Perhaps she may want to add blue circles or pink “X’s”. Of course, the response differs from artist to artist and from moment to moment.
Painters use the artwork as a tool for unlocking the voice of their own intuition. A simple way to do that is to first think about a problem that they’ve been having lately. Come up with one specific question about this problem. An example might be, “How do I let go of my resentment towards my father?” or “What do I need to do at work in order to get my next promotion?” The answer may appear at anytime during the process of design, production or review.
Once the question is sorted, take a few seconds to hold that question in our heart. We might wish to close our eyes and take a few deep breaths while we do this. When ready, open the eyes and look at the piece of intuitive art positioned in front. Holding our question in our heart or in our belly, notice what sensations we feel as we look at the painting. Do we feel excited, anxious, exhausted? Notice which parts of the painting pull us in. The art below, made by Ai in Midjourney, appeals to me because of the bright unorganized color and the eclectic approach.
A Hispanic artist, with a broad smile, stands in a vibrant workspace filled with splashes of paint in various colors. The artist is passionately engaged in creating a large canvas, surrounded by brushes, palettes, and unfinished artworks that reflect experimentation and creativity. The room is eclectic, with unusual art tools scattered about, and the walls are adorned with colorful abstract pieces. The atmosphere is lively and charged with inspiration, showcasing the artist’s deep emotional connection to their work. Generated with Midjourney but inspired by Junia Ai.
