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When Embracing Uncertainty in Painting Nurtures Creative Freedom

June 13, 2025

“When Embracing Uncertainty in Painting Nurtures Creative Freedom"

As I mentioned in my last post, giving up on a set idea for my paintings allows me to paint intuitively with authenticity. But how exactly do I do that - quiet the noise, tune in to intuition to pursue this elusive way of painting?

One book I find deeply insightful is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert where she personifies inspiration as a living force—drifting through the world looking for a creative partner. She explores how artists, musicians and writers try to capture that fleeting moment of inspiration and translate it into a tangible craft suggesting that if you’re open and willing, it will choose you to bring an idea to life. And if you hesitate or resist, it’ll move on to someone else.

One of her concepts I find extremely relatable is this: “the other side of the contract with creativity: if inspiration is allowed to unexpectedly enter you, it is also allowed to unexpectedly exit you” …. as has transpired with my inspiration for a seascape collection - I’ve been grasping onto an idea that has since moved on.

After completing Drifting Light, I attempted to coax the ocean back into my studio. I returned to something familiar - painting waves onto driftwood and paper, which I’ve done successfully in the past. It helped, somewhat. I created a small collection that captures the refreshing energy of wind-whipped seas using form and texture. They’re now framed beautifully and will be available at Tranquillity, with a few driftwood pieces alongside them. Click to shop Wave Series

Still, there’s a difference between painting something lovely and painting from the heart. I’ve come close with a few seascape pieces—but that soulful flow? It hasn’t fully arrived.

In search of clarity, I revisited another of Gilbert’s books: Eat, Pray, Love. The meditation section in particular reminded me how essential it is for me to drop into a restful, open state to access my creative voice. It’s not just about time in the studio—it’s about the energy I bring when I arrive.

Some artists thrive by showing up daily and powering through. It’s often seen as a necessary skill to ‘put in the time’ and experiment. But if I push, all I get is “meh” and a side order of frustration. My best work happens when I honour my need for stillness, clarity and self-connection. Setting an intention of mindfulness is better than setting intentions.

You see, I live between two worlds—creative and strategic. I’m both painter and entrepreneur. Each world requires a different kind of energy and focus from me. The business side pulls me into my intellect—planning, admin, emailing, writing, accounting promoting... It’s essential work, but it’s not where art is born. For that, I have to soften, to shed the weight of responsibility and reconnect with my soul.

What helps me most is returning to gentle pleasures: losing myself in a book; listening to music; cloud gazing from my chapel windows; soaking up nature on my regular morning dog walks in the forest; basking in the sunshine on my favourite garden swing; listening to bird song and the breeze rustling the leaves; deep breathing or sinking into yoga, thai chi or pilates for flexibility and gentle release. These moments aren’t indulgent or born out of idleness—they’re sacred and restorative. They make space for intuitive painting to flow through me.

(ha! never with wine in the morning! but for an evening zen moment it's ok)

And every time I give myself that pause to find my equilibrium I’m rewarded. A slow morning often leads to a joyful afternoon where the brush moves effortlessly, colour lands with meaning, and something quietly powerful takes shape.

These new works you see here? They bloomed from one such morning. And I’m totally in love with them. A few more intentional brush strokes and I’m hoping I can bring them with me to exhibit at my solo show Tranquillity, Sixteen Gallery in Cheltenham from June 26–July 2 and farOpen Art Trail at The George in Newnham from July 5–13.