The Role of Intuition in Art Making

In abstract expressionism, intuition often takes precedence over careful planning. While technical skill provides the foundation, it's intuitive decision-making that breathes life into a painting and creates those unexpected moments of transcendence.

Learning to trust my intuition was one of the most challenging aspects of my artistic development. Early in my career, I would overthink every mark, every color choice. This analytical approach often led to tight, lifeless work that felt more like exercises than genuine expression.

Developing Intuitive Practice

Cultivating artistic intuition requires creating space for spontaneity within your practice. I begin each painting session with a period of meditative mark-making—allowing my hand to move freely across the canvas without predetermined goals.

These initial marks often determine the direction of the entire piece. They contain an energy and authenticity that calculated marks rarely achieve. From this foundation, I let the painting evolve organically, responding intuitively to what's already on the canvas.

Balancing Intuition and Intention

Pure intuition without any guiding intention can lead to aimless work. The goal is finding the balance between spontaneous response and artistic vision. I've learned to hold my overall concept lightly, allowing intuition to guide the journey while maintaining awareness of the destination.

Sometimes intuition leads me away from my original concept entirely, and I've learned to trust these departures. Often, they lead to discoveries I never would have made through planning alone.