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A narrow focus

When working intuitively –without a preliminary sketch as a road-map or even a mental preconception to elaborate on– all rational conceptualization, particularly thoughts on formal composition and structure, must be discarded. One way to achieve this is to concentrate on a part while releasing any consideration of the painting as a whole.

By turning the focus of attention to a portion or detail, the action of painting occurs in the present moment, on the small area that lies under the brush. The rest of the canvas simply fades in importance.

The focus stays on the marking the brush makes this moment, nothing else matters.

When the action happens in the here-and-now the paintbrush moves freely and spontaneously and the process of painting is rewarding and pleasurable.

Starting on new canvas is always a bit of a party, it is filled with candid excitement and anticipation, with the satisfaction and happiness of a child wearing new shoes, and in much the same mischievous way, you can´t wait to see what happens if… if you step on mud, if you splash in the curb or whatever.

The process starts with random haphazard marks applied in a playful, carefree attitude. Anything goes: dripping, splashing, spraying, blowing, sliding, imprinting, marking, or throwing paint, often on a damp or very wet surface. These may be enhanced by the silhouettes of leaves, branches or other found objects that will leave their mark on the canvas or even by allowing a pet to go walkabout on it.

These marks may be applied singly or in overlapping stages, in diluted layers of paint or in thick textures. Incorporating temporarily or permanently elements like sand, oil, soap, alcohol, cord, wet paper, cardboard or fabric are also fun options. Also worth exploring are the interactions of water, fire, vibration… or painting in different positions, upside down, lying down, with eyes closed, using the non-dominant hand or the toes… as you can see, the possibilities are endless.

At this stage color should not be consideration, any color used will add its own unique energy. When the canvas dries –ideally under the sun– a new stage begins: interacting with the vibrations of the total canvas and its parts.

Some areas are left untouched, some are eliminated and others enhanced to bring out their already latent vibrations.

In this way in a non-critical way, accepting that there is no right or wrong way, the process continues over small areas choosing both brush and color intuitively.

A child-like non-judgemental attitude helps everything fall into place.

Integrating those seemingly isolated parts and connecting them into a whole involves what I can only call “intuitive certainty”. Generally it happens in an effortless manner, where each section flows into place and integrates with the rest as if remembering its future. When painting in the manner I have described, I cannot stress enough the importance of drinking plenty of water.

Definitely, there are times when releasing is not quite achieved, when rationality peeks in uncalled for, when anxiety, anticipation or other factors cloud the process. The answer is to return to that canvas at a later occasion, for it is important to keep going only as long as the painting process remains pleasurable.

The attitude should be one of effortless enjoyment, working quickly often is best –which does not mean a work can not be lovingly added-to over a long period of time.

Hard to explain is when to stop. I have been asked this question and all I could answer is “you just know”. It “becomes” suddenly, one moment the canvas is a fun toy, the next it calls for respect. And then not a single stroke may be added, its energy is sealed. As if it were a new born, somehow now its presence suggests with its own name.

Ultimately, the result and enjoyment of the process lies in the degree of success in rejecting all external stimuli and internal judgement.

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