Many define abstract art as having nothing to do with observable realities in the physical, mental, emotional, psychological, or any conceptual aspect of what this life is all about. I agree with that! That definition explains what abstract art is not. 

The mind views abstract differently. If it’s not one of the above, then what’s left? It is art created by one’s uneducated intuition, gut feeling, some inner voice from your soul. It’s the same kind of method that young child creates from, with no developed ‘consciousness,’ no duality. The child has no judgment, so they are free to create from whatever comes through them. Their actions are pure and innocent, and innately divine. This is what abstract art is!

Now that we have learned so much in our lives, has anyone taught us how to unlearn that knowledge? Picasso did it, de Kooning did it, and many other painters have. If somehow, we can get to that point, where we feel comfortable with uncertainty, where we can control the mind and temporarily shut it down, then duality disappears. This is where intuition kicks in — allowing that gut feeling mentioned above, which includes having fun and playing.

It takes practice to trust that voice, which the child does so perfectly. It is all about allowing the process of making the art, not about the result. Again, the child paints 100% as a process. They are actually in a state of pure bliss and divine ecstasy — really.

In The Painting Experience Workshop (www.processarts.com), I once took with Stewart Cubley, he stated:

• “In art, to look within is an act of courage.”
• “To be present requires letting go of judgment.”
• “The artist’s task is to be released from the pressure of performance, interpretation, comparison, and judgment.”
• “True painting is very simple yet, at the same time, radical. By nature, it’s unpredictable, because we don’t plan our destination ahead of time.”
• “Allowing whatever needs to happen to happen, meaningful, and satisfying images emerge. You don’t have to be trained to experience this; it’s your birthright.” 

This is one of the most important aspects of abstract art. Once freedom to create form shows up, it is natural for the intuition or the soul to manifest another version of a similar type of composition. The soul has now developed its language, for now. That can easily change in the next painting because intuition says so. 

Transport yourself into a state of being and be open to allowing the art to flow through you without involving the ego, if possible. Be immersed in the process from moment to moment and feel the art becoming your reason for being

This may sound easy, but it is not! It took me years to transition from representational art to the world of abstraction. So many doubts and fears show up. When we do this work, we begin to analyze why there is so much fear in making art. It is a lot easier not to go so deeply within and paint nicely-staying on the surface. Will the artist stay true to themself and create deeper, or will they continue trying to “look good” and stay on the surface? The true artist will have to face vulnerability, take bold risks, and the magic will happen. Trust yourself. Taking risks takes courage, even if it means painting over “a nice corner.” Fears will arise with feelings of uneasiness, impatience, and lack of trust. 

“Children have no judgment, so they are free to create from whatever comes through them. Their actions are pure and innocent, and innately divine.” — Jonas Gerard

A combination of deep experimentation, being daring, and being courageous produces fresh, original, potent art. Interestingly enough, people are attracted to this art without having any idea why. Paintings done under these courageous moments are full of life, the colors, and composition are divinely inspired. The work bypasses the intellect and is uncontrollably targeted directly to the soul of the viewer.

In my humble opinion, that’s what art is supposed to do.