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This past weekend I was thrilled to go to the preview night of the Picasso Exhibit at the Art Gallery Of Ontario (AGO).  It was a special treat for members of the gallery to be privy to the exhibit before opening doors to the public on May 1st.  As we waited in line, it was clear there was a lot of anticipation and excitement about the exhibit as to be expected when the exhibit is that of none other than Picasso.  Picasso is known for the Cubism paintings

At one point toward the end of the exhibit, I overheard a conversation that some patrons were having (okay I was eavesdropping).  I woman was saying to her partner and friends that she thought maybe Picasso was having a laugh at us all.  That so many people try to find meaning in his art and reasons why he did this or that in certain ways.  She acknowledged that as humans we tend to try to explain things to understand them.  She suggested that perhaps we are all just reading meaning into Picasso’s art when really there was no meaning behind it, that Picasso just created the way he did because he wanted to, no deeper meaning, no ulterior motive.

Wow! While I could see why she might think that, this did not sit well with me.  I do agree that as humans we tend to over explain things.  I also agree that we tend to project onto others’ art our own meaning.  By this I mean that generally, what we “see” when looking at art other than our own is usually more of an accurate reflection of ourselves than of the artist’s inner life.  My experience as an Art Therapist has exposed me to many such encounters where well-meaning observers try to find meaning in other’s art only to reveal more about themselves.

However, I draw the line at this art patron implying that Picasso created from a superficial place.  Picasso’s art I believe attained the notoriety it has because he was able to tap into his inner world and express it through the paintings and sculptures he did.  He was able to connect in such a deep way that it defied words.  This is what ultimately attracted the attention of others, his ability to express so rawly through his art.  As Picasso said himself:

“I paint the way some people write an autobiography.  The paintings, finished or not, are the pages from my diary” ~Picasso

To me, many of the great artists painted this way. They followed their own rules; they connected with their inner world without allowing  scrutiny sufficate what was being expressed. They allowed what was inside to flow out through the art with little interference.

This is what I like about process painting AKA intuitive painting.  In process painting one learns to follow their inner voice, painting what needs to be expressed without judgment.  Children do this naturally up to a certain age.

Often learned judgement steps in and blocks the process from flowing in the same expressive way.  The painting process is sacrificed for the desired outcome of a picture that looks a certain way.  This is where many get stuck creatively; in not trusting the process, in trying to manipulate the painting to reflect a notion of what it “should” look like, we become blocked, frozen by our own judgment and expectations.  

“Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist as he grows up” ~Picasso

You see, we are all artists. Maybe you have lost that connection to creative expression somewhere along the way.  Not to worry, it can be found again.  Psssst! In fact I know exactly where it is.  It is inside of you!

Curious how it works? I am giving a full day Painting With Your Muse workshop in Toronto on August 11th. I’d love to have you join me!  Not able to get to Toronto? Stay tuned I will be offering an e-course version in June 2012.