Why Intuitive art?

I create and teach mixed media art through an intuitive painting process so of course I called my upcoming course an ‘intuitive painting workshop.’ My daughter asked why I hadn’t called it a ‘mixed media painting workshop. She said that most people would understand mixed media painting better. It was a very good question and I realised that I was assuming that people would understand what intuitive painting was. This post is a response to Lizzy’s question and a reflection on intuitive art.

The best place to start exploring intuitive art seems to be the question ‘what is intuitive art?’ Before I get into any other back story or research on meaning, I thought I’d start with what it means to me.

What is intuitive art?

Intuitive art is a spiritual, connected art process that allows the art to lead the way as images form through the layers of paint and a variety of other media. Intuitive art is a process of creating art using an inner awareness that is heart centered and does not rely on analysis or head based questions. It is a way of creating that is about connecting into your emotions and responding to what feels right. Intuition is that image of a child reaching for the red crayon rather than the blue without hesitation. There is no reason in the decision but a space inside that guides you to choose this one instead of that?

The creative space

When I am creating an art piece, there are times when I find myself questioning the idea that comes. Then I know my head is taking over and follow the idea anyway. Intuitive art is about trust and letting go of that space of aproach to art and life is a spiritual practice. That means that there is a sense of the divine guidance …whatever form the divine takes in your life. It is the inspiration that seems to flow through you from some divine energy. This divine inspiration is about trust and reminds me of what Kirkagard called the ‘leap of faith’.

The idea of intuition

I cannot explore the idea of intuition as an art process without looking at what the idea of intuition  is. The idea of being able to connect to a source of inner guidance that does not exist within the realms of reason.

We are all intuitive, whether we are spiritual or not and whether we believe in intuition or not. It is easy to put the idea of explaining intuition in the too hard basket. How do you explain something that does not exist within tepee bounds of logic but is more an act of connecting and trusting something that guides us from within that we do not fully understand. It is often thought of as our connection to the divine that guides us and keeps us safe.

We have all had those ‘gut reactions’ where we simply know what choice we need to take, even though it seems to make no logical sense. This intuitive art process is about connecting to something more within you. You may call it your subconscious mind and look at it from a Jungian perspective or choose to understand it from a view of universal consciousness. It really doesn’t matter how you make sense of the inner guidance, the voices and ideas that direct us. The question really is, are you listening.

“Pretty much everyone has experienced a gut feeling — that unconscious reasoning that propels us to do something without telling us why or how. But the nature of intuition has long eluded us, and has inspired centuries’ worth of research and inquiry in the fields of philosophy and psychology.”Carolyn Gregoire www.creativitypost.com/psychology

Defining intuition

So much has been written about intuition and it’s uncertain origins and why we should listen to it rather than to logic and reason. As a creative soul, I know that this intuitive space is a space of trust that opens doors to my imagination that I would never find by reason alone. Steve Jobs called intuition ‘more powerful than intellect” and Einstein said that ‘ the only real valuable thing is intuition’. Unfortunately it is too easy to get so busy that we drown out that intuitive guidance that we all naturally have.

Everyone loves a story

I know that defining an idea of an inner knowing voice is an elusive thing. It is something we know without reason which in itself feels like a paradox but we do know when something feels right even when we cannot explain why. Abraham’s’ (Jerry and Esther Hicks) refers to our feelings as our ‘intuitive guidance system’ and encourages us to ‘let our feelings be our guide’. This is one of the most connected ways to understand intuition as we connect with our feelings and follow what feels right. Our feelings are a direct way to tap into our inner guidance.

Intuition and instinct

We are all intuitive as it is that instinct that keeps us safe and points us in the direction we really need to go. When did you last turn left rather than right?
Have you ever wondered why you did something but knew it was exactly why. It is this ability to notice and be aware and awake within our lives that shifts our understanding. This is intuition in action.

“I define intuition as the subtle knowing without ever having any idea why you know it,” Sophy Burnham,  The Art of Intuition,

Intuition is not about being psychic . A psychic reads your future and people go to them for guidance on their world. This is a woo woo alternative approach and is not what intuitive art is about. Intuitive art is allowing yourself to slip into your heart as you let go of expectation, noise and the busy responsibilities of life and shift into a space of mindfulness. Please don’t confuse being intuitive with being psychic as that is not what intuition is about. Intuition is a connection to our inner world that sparks our creativity in unexpected ways.

Intuition is…

When we are in this quiet inner space we are connected to our own wisdom and are open to the whispers of our inner wisdom. Intuition is the pathway that helps us connect to those core values that shape our world from inside spaces so we can make sense of our outer world and be more truly ourselves. It is a soul connection and about our own inner knowledge.

That intuitive voice is always there, whispering and guiding us whether we or listening or not. Our intuition is directing us to our highest good and wants to keep us safe. If we truly want to live our best life then paying attention to those intuitive nudges, the gut reactions or sense of knowing is key. Of course, acting on your intuitive guidance is what will make the real shift from surviving to thriving in your life.

Creative people are highly intuitive as it is the intuitive awareness that helps an artist/ inventor connect with new understandings and different ways of seeing the world. Whatever you are doing for a job, intuition is the space that will open you to new possibilities.

In an article in the Nw York Times in 2012, Ivy Estabrooke is the program manager at the Office of Naval Research explained that their are:

10 things that people in touch with their intuition do differently.

1/ They listen to that inner voice.
2/ They take time for solitude.
3/ They create.
4/ They practice mindfulness.
5/ They observe everything.
6/ They listen to their bodies.
7/ They connect deeply with others.
8/ They pay attention to their dreams.
9/ They enjoy plenty of down time.
10/ They mindfully let go of negative emotions

Quoted from an article in huffington post:http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/the-habits-of-highly-intu_n_4958778

Intuitive art connections

The point of the post was why I choose to be an intuitive artist as I create and teach intuitive art process rather than focusing on the mixed media process. I want to be around people who want to explore their own world and gain deeper understanding of who they are. Intuitive art is a lovely, connected process that is an adventure that unfolds as we explore our inner stories and bring them to life.

Intuitive art is full of possibilities and surprises and along the way I learn so much about myself and others. This is a space where time stands still and I can explore my world. There are so many stories inside of me and intuitive art is a spiritual practice that guides me as I discover new parts of my story as the art pieces evolve through the layers.

1/ I am a spiritual artist and believe that art is an inspired process.
2/ I want to explore the idea of a thing rather than create a realistic representation.
3/ I love creating layers and abstract elements with a depth of personal symbolic meaning.
4/ I want art to be an adventure that surprises me as the image comes through me rather than from me.
5/ The intuitive art I create are soul pieces so I regularly refer to art pieces rather than art works.
6/ I want to inspire and teach people who want to connect more deeply with their creativity.

Intuitive painting is the soul connected space which guides me as I create and navigate my world. My workshop at the Artshed in Moorabbin is called Create a Story: Intuitive painting workshop because this is how I connect to the images that flow through me and onto the page. Want to learn more…join me at ‘Create a Story.

 

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