One of the things I enjoy most about painting is not knowing exactly where it's going to end up.
That might sound a little strange, but after more than 30 years of making art, I've learned that some of my most interesting discoveries happen when I stop trying to control everything.
Letting the Marks Lead
A glimpse into my intuitive painting process.
A lot of my work begins with an intuitive approach, sometimes called automatic drawing. Instead of starting with a specific image in mind, I begin making marks and responding to what's happening on the surface.
A shape suggests another shape. A wash of color changes the relationship between two forms. Something unexpected happens, and suddenly the painting starts moving in a direction I hadn't considered.
Of course, that doesn't mean there aren't decisions involved. There are plenty. It's more of a back-and-forth between instinct and intention.
Sometimes I add something. Sometimes I scrape it away. Occasionally, I spend an hour working on an area only to decide it was better before I touched it.
That's painting for you.
Finding Something Unexpected
Recently, I've been creating a group of small original studies using this same exploratory approach.
Working on a smaller surface changes the experience a little. Decisions happen quickly, and there's less room to overthink things.
What interests me is how differently each piece develops, even when I'm using similar materials, colors, and techniques.
Some feel quiet and restrained. Others have more movement or tension. Each takes on a personality of its own.
And here's something I find particularly interesting: what I see in a painting isn't necessarily what someone else sees.
That's part of the fun.
I don't believe abstract art needs to come with an explanation of what you're supposed to recognize. Sometimes the most rewarding experience is simply spending time with the work and discovering what catches your attention.
Small Works, New Discoveries
These recent studies have become part of my upcoming Holiday Study Trios—a collection of three small original artworks presented together in individual frames.
It's an opportunity to share a different side of my creative process through smaller, one-of-a-kind pieces.
You can explore the Holiday Study Trios collection at Sauls Collective.
In the meantime, I'm curious about something.
Have you ever started a creative project with one idea in mind, only to discover something completely different along the way?
Sometimes those unexpected turns are the best part.
