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Deb Bowen's avatar

Thanks for this post. Sometimes in the writing process I just write stream of consciousness words - they don't have to make sense and there's little or no punctuation - just randomness. Sometimes it morphs into order, sometimes not. Is this similar to your process here?

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marybeth bradbury's avatar

Yes and no. I think I understand your writing process here, so it is similar in terms of a brain dump, or like Julia Cameron's morning pages practice. Where I think it differs is that it is the expression of energy and/or emotion without the consciousness of words. You know how sometimes you can't find just the right words to express something? Lol, rarely, I know, but go with me here. Well, line, shape, scribble and color can sometimes just nail that thing in a way words can't. Comes more from the body than the head.

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joanne's avatar

i still dont quite understand difference between intuitive and process painting............i feel that i always paint this way with no known end..............have been in a slump, but keep hoping to come out of it.............love doing little taped paintings..............

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marybeth bradbury's avatar

I wondered about the difference before I tried the process. I would sum it up by saying that intuitive painting is ultimately about the finished product, but intuitive process painting is about the experience of the painting process, not whatever image you end up with. Which is why, I think, that Patty Ripley suggests that they remain private, with no outside critique or comment. After all, people can make judgements about a "thing" (a painting), but who can judge the experience you had while creating? Does that clarify things at all?

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joanne's avatar

yes thanks

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Adrienne McMurdy's avatar

I think these paintings are amazing!! No way ugly!!! I want to try this process but living with someone who only understands realism and exactness is not helping my creativity. Really blocked these days:(

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marybeth bradbury's avatar

Thank you Adrienne! How about we have a studio day soon and you can try it out in a supportive environment here with me? Let's make a date! It'll be just the thing!

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Adrienne McMurdy's avatar

Sounds great!!

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Marc Cirigliano's avatar

It is wonderful to see this post today. One of the essential things is for the public to see a true artist such as you share the creative process. It's also central for the public to see that abstract art is deeply related to the human need to express itself visually, while the images can stand alone on their own merits. I love the painting.. Spot on.

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marybeth bradbury's avatar

thanks so much, Marc. I wasn't sure when I started writing here how non-artists would respond... or if they would even bother reading, then I thought a picture might be worth a thousand words, and yes, maybe the art should stand on its own, but gosh, maybe more people engage with it if there were a few words around it. I hope I'm doing that. Helping to make connections.

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Becky Steele's avatar

I am really enjoying your posts Marybeth. I do a similar exercise, the idea also came from Louise, what a wise woman she is, but I tape off 6-8 paintings within the painting. Then paint with abandon for 30 min! Letting my body pick and choose. At the end I have a full painting. When I pull the tape off, I have 6-8 littles and some painted tape for my journal. I LOVE the freedom of this style! Next question is what do I do with them? lol

I’ve used several for collage, and a few for blocked in and blocked out paintings. Did I mention I love your posts?

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joanne's avatar

becky i also use that exercise from louise............i love it............its amazing how cool the little paintings are..................i have bound some of mine into a book............

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marybeth bradbury's avatar

that's a great idea, I haven't done that in quite a while. It's amazing what you end up with! Why not bind them into a little book? Wouldn't that be a great keepsake? And I'm so glad you like my posts!

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