"Paintings With Personality"

This is another of my St Thomas paintings, I call it, "Space Walk". The substrate is 22x30 inch, Arches watercolor paper. 

Occasionally, in times of worry, I’ve longed to be stylish, but on second thought I say no—just let me be myself—and express rough, yet true things with rough workmanship.”—Vincent van Gogh,

As an Intuitive artist, you have let go of control and perfectionism. Focus on what is happening inside yourself and let it out. Leave the safety of your comfort zone and face the unknown, enjoy true freedom.

Last week I talked about the importance of intuitive painting and Honey’s FLAMING fish. This week I’m going to suggest 6 things you can do to learn to paint intuitively. Give them a try, challenge your fear and let it go.

1. Empty your mind, just let your thoughts flow. Look inside yourself and focus on what you are feeling. Just be who you are at the moment. Accept yourself and what you are doing.
2. Free write before you start to paint. Write down all the concerns of the day, voice them on paper. Let everything out before getting to work.
3. Leave the world outside, you don’t need anything or anyone else to help you. Everything you need is right there inside of you. Be aware of what is happening in your mind and let it go. Don’t be afraid. Explore and discover new abilities. Go with the flow, play and have fun.
4. Don’t have any expectations. Don’t think about your friends or their work, about galleries or shows, or about anything at all. This can be hard when the only thing you have ever done in your art is learn and practice technique. The main thing is, don’t worry about how it looks.
5. Use anything you want and as much as you want to create this work. Let your subconscious come to the front, trust yourself and let the art happen.
6. Begin to create art. Make no judgements and no plans about your work, no one will see it unless you want to show it to them. Let your art tell you what to do and where to go next. Don’t defend your art, it is only another attempt at control. Let go of all control, perfectionism, and every technique you have learned. Just for now, enjoy yourself and what you are doing.

If you stick with technique only you will never be satisfied with your art. Whatever you do will be stiff, rigid and a little creaky.

Your inner experience of creating is important. Let the process transform you and look forward to an amazing adventure. It’s like taking a ride with no idea of where you are going, let the road lead you. Give up the safety of the corner you painted yourself into­ and embrace freedom.

Do you have any more ideas of how to become an intuitive painter?  Later, Judy

www.judyballance.com