Art from within ~ Intuitive Art
Our lives have been upside down since two hurricanes hit the Tampa Bay region. I needed to take a break from creating recipes to tend to other household needs (we are just now seeing the light). I did however feel a strong desire and commitment to myself to get back to my art. Over the years I dabbled in clay, pen & ink, colored pencils, drawing, and charcoal. I usually would draw a still life, portrait, or scenic landscapes.
While searching the latest catalog of the Dunedin Fine Art programs, I came across an interesting class … Intuitive Art. Using acrylic paint (which I had little experience with), I signed up for the next session.
Intuitive Art
Intuitive Art is a method of creating art that emerges from a relationship between an artist and one’s intuition. A chance to tap into childlike qualities, endless curiosity, playfulness, adventurousness, and imagination … a feeling of openness, to be free with expression on whatever form of art it takes to lose oneself.
Using acrylic paints on a canvas, layering colors, papers, tissues, and using tools to make shapes and designs, adding until you reach the point you feel that it presents as you wish. The layering process during each class takes the canvas and your creativity to new heights with levels, colors and concepts.
Our art instructor Linda starts each class with messages that we share to help us dig deep into our intuitiveness – here are a few of my favorites.
- Open to trying new things, new ways to accomplish a task
- Letting go (of fear, judgment, self-doubt, negative thoughts)
- Letting things unfold naturally, going with the flow
- Trusting the process
- Each layer is a learning
Power of 5
Our class is a superior example of the Socialization ‘S’ of the Power of 5 elements – a community of creative people that paint together, sing together (Linda always has a great playlist playing in the background as we create), and sharing techniques we have experimented with, all within an open, supportive and positive environment. I am grateful for the structure, the three hours of class to focus and have fun in a peaceful surrounding, and even feel meditative (which helps support brain health).
My Intuitive Art
I’d like to share a canvas with you as an example of the process. The canvas on the left was about the 3rd or 4th class of intuitive layering concepts. The one on the right is my completed canvas that I presented at the last class of the session. Note the layers of colors and the negative painting technique I used (painting over the background in specific areas) to pop the bottle and pitcher to the foreground.
In this new year, take an opportunity to engage in self-expression and be creative to reduce your stress and to stimulate your brain health.
Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
Create your Power of 5 in 2025!
Melissa 😊