The Journey from here

This winter I took a course with Steven Aimone (https://www.aimoneartservices.com/) . He helped me think more clearly about what I’m doing. I had thought about what I do as abstraction but now I realize that nonrepresentational art is a better description. I’m not abstracting from the world around me. I’m making my invisible interior being, visible. This course was not about technique or materials but about better understanding what we are doing and doing it better. In the past paintings told a story or described something. Modern or contemporary nonrepresentational paintings describe inner unseen worlds and experiences.

There is a history of non representational painting, the Surrealist art movement. This movement included not only the likes of Magritte but also Paul-Émile Borduas, Marcelle Ferron, Jean-Paul Riopelle , Les Automatistes. Knowing how what I am doing fits into history provides context.

In the past I’ve been accessing my non conscious brain by using tools I can’t easily control (rags, plastic, paper.) The problem with that is over time I’d get better at controlling them and then I’d try something else. I’ve learned that I need to trust my non conscious brain. (No planning, no thinking). This is really hard to do! My logical, planning brain seriously wants to take over. In this course I have learned to actively tap into my feelings during the painting process as well as maintain my connection with the work. I’ve learned to apply the paint with energy then step back momentarily to take in the change and to sense where more work is needed.

I’ve learned to pay attention to the words I use to describe my process and my work while noticing what descriptions produce satisfying results. It seems obvious now. Fascinating what an impact that has. And yes, the goal is satisfying work, not ‘good’ or ‘bad’. I’ve learned to acknowledge the good in the work in progress and change the rest, slowly. Slow down and feel what the I am yearning for. It has been a productive 8 weeks. Time to paint. Thanks for following along my journey.