Episode 254: Intuitive, Spontaneous, or Random?

The Messy Studio with Rebecca Crowell

Intuition and spontaneity are important to many artists. But what about randomness? While these words are related in superficial ways, they have very different meanings in the context of art practice. Intuition and spontaneity play positive roles. Intuition can be a powerful guide and a source of new ideas, and spontaneity leads to energy and excitement. Randomness, on the other hand, tends to lead you off track and reduce the meaning and impact of your work.

Intuition and spontaneity have somewhat different meanings although they are very closely related. Intuition means inner knowing or understanding, a sense of rightness. It may evolve slowly and grow over time based on practice and experience and can stand up to analysis and questioning. Spontaneity means being in the present moment, playing, and acting with freedom and energy. It is reactive to the situation and not something to question or analyze.

How do these approaches differ from randomness? Although all three are alike in not being planned, random responses are characterized as being without purpose and based in chance. They have no specific source, while intuition and spontaneity both arise from your core creative self and push you forward in inspiring ways.

It can be very helpful to recognize your own use of these three approaches. Learning to recognize randomness and avoiding it can help keep you on track with developing meaning in your work, while cultivating intuition and spontaneity can provide valuable insight and energy. These distinctions can be hard to identify in the moment but in observing your work over time you can more easily see their impact.

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What's new At Cold Wax Academy?
Rebecca and Jerry launched their spring quarter on April 12th. Sessions this quarter so far included identifying compositional issues in your work, and technical information from Gamblin representative Mary Tevlin. Upcoming sessions include a painting clinic for works in progress, and much more. As always, members can join in on live sessions with questions and comments, and can benefit anytime by interacting with other members on our Members-only facebook page. With 100 recorded sessions in the member library there is always something to learn or review, with topics ranging from technical advice to visual language to guests speakers and critiques of member work.

To learn more about membership, and to purchase cold wax tools and Rebecca and Jerry's book, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations, please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com

Please visit http://www.coldwaxacademy.com for more information as well as basic information about using cold wax medium.

Here is what a member named Sandy has to say about her own experience with Cold Wax Academy:
"Rebecca and Jerry have presented the most professional, authentic and structured approach to a creative activity I have ever come across. Their selfless sharing of all their knowledge and encouragement is a gift in my life unsurpassed."

Also-- please visit https://www.espacioart.org to learn about Rebecca and Jerry's newest project, Espacio, dedicated to providing beautiful living and working spaces for artists and writers. Espacio's first offering is Casa Clavel, a modern, fully equipped house opening this September in the beautiful cultural city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A few booking openings are still available in 2023, so please incquire if you are interested.

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The Messy Studio Podcast is a Tick Digital Media Production.