Certainty Undermines Growth

There is an undeniable freedom that comes from losing sight of the shoreline. But only if you are able to let go of the rope of certainty and allow intuition take over. Loss of control is replaced by trust and capability. Being outside the comfort zone and deep in uncharted territories is the best way to see what you are capable of accomplishing. The win is sweeter because the possibility of failure is right on your heels.

Working intuitively means responding through emotions rather than in one’s head. An awareness experienced through the senses or through perception as an observer of thought. It’s about being in present moment and allowing all else to fall away.

This concept is how I approach the painting process.

I retreat to an inner space when painting that feels like stepping into another world. When I am in the zone, anything is possible. Although, the path getting to this euphoric state isn’t always easy. It takes a certain focus to cultivate and maintain, much like keeping a bubble floating in the air. Under the right conditions, I am able to reach an optimal flow state where I become fully immersed and work becomes effortless. This requires me to disconnect from all distractions, like phones, social media, etc. Being in the zone requires a depth of engagement that is all consuming. It also provides an elevated sense of happiness and confidence. I don’t overthink issues, and flow state unleashes optimal creativity and productivity. I lose all sense of time in order to make the most of it. I experience an ultimate sense of freedom.

The development of work is executed through a multi-layered process of drawing and painted layers. I begin by generating an over abundance of ideas then counterbalance the noise by painting out parts to simplify. Add more. Edit again. A push-pull of organic and spontaneous ideas are rendered through addition and subtraction. This action gives way to new insights and unexpected ideas while delivering richer colors and surface texture. I weave my thoughts, emotions, and observations to tell a story in or of nature during the process.

There is an objective in mind when I create abstracted art. Although, there is a willingness to maintain flexibility and work from an intuitive, responsive state. The goal is to strike a balance between planning and spontaneity so the two approaches complement each other.

My focus is on the process of making art rather than producing a specific, formulaic end result. Certainty leaves little room for growth and expansion. My personal process opens up a world of opportunity to be creative and put more of myself into the work by responding intuitively and being in the moment.

I have made a plethora of art in my lifetime. I have come to know that there are two camps of art: the art you make for yourself and the art you make for others. Sometimes the creative process calls for mapped out steps with predicted results and other times there is a wide open space to explore through the senses. The other times are where I let go and lose sight of the shoreline. This is when my soul comes alive.