Resistance is Futile

when the work finally meets you

As I’ve discovered again and again, you can’t learn something until you’re truly ready to learn it—no matter how much effort you pour into trying. Trying and learning are descriptions that do NOT belong in the same process or workflow.

For years, I’ve carried a clear vision of what my best work could look like. I could see an entire exhibition in my mind’s eye, each piece infused with negative space, my familiar line work, rich and bold oil colors and a compelling presence. Every now and then, over many years, I would create an individual piece that matched that vision. Those were always the works most loved by me and by others, and I am reminded of this often because some of this work hangs in my own personal space.

Yet despite this, I could never sustain it. I couldn’t build a whole body of work around that vision.

breakthroughs of understanding

It took me years to figure out what I was actually painting about. And then, a few years ago, suddenly, overnight, it came to me—so profoundly and concretely that it was as natural as breathing. There was no choice but to create from that truth.

Looking back now, perhaps it makes sense that it has also taken years to figure out how to paint the kind of work I love most. But now, it feels a bit surprising because I thought my experience would get me there easily, and yet it doesn’t go the way you expect. Oddly, it arrived during one of the most frustrating seasons of my career as evidenced by the 10 or more destroyed canvasses on the studio floor above.

a season of waiting

So many major parts of my life seemed stalled all at once: searching for a large studio space; looking for property to build a future home; and my artwork longing to become what I envisioned…add to that the upcoming holidays, high season in SWFL, and a gallery opening ahead…and the weight of stagnation was overwhelming. I was frustrated all summer by the lack of progress in any of these areas.

Then a friend shared an insight that shifted everything. She said this space of waiting was serving me. It was preparing me because it could happen that several of these big things might move forward all at once, creating a whirlwind that could feel impossible to manage. “This pause,” she said, “is a Divine gift.”

I don’t know why it landed with me the way it did, but I felt immediate relief because of the new perspective.

clearing and clarity

With that relief came clarity. I cleaned and emptied my studio so no older or recent work could influence me. I didn’t want to paint what I already know how to do. So, I stretched six large canvases, gessoed them, and lined them up so I could work on them simultaneously (not my usual process).

Then I gave myself a directive to just be aware and make marks I love; don’t worry about composition or a million other things. Each piece could hold different elements I loved, they didn’t need to be cohesive, only authentic in feeling. This felt natural and real and possible.

the shift

And so an incredible thing happened. Suddenly, I was working on six pieces that I loved and some nearly completed. There was no pressure, no outside influence, no care for anything other than the marks themselves and they didn’t have to blend - they could be irreverent.

It seems that by accepting the “stuck” space as intentional and beneficial, I was able to fully relax into it and let my intuition take over. I finally created the kind of work I had been holding in my imagination. Wow!

the lesson

How did it happen? After all those years of effort, it seemed to simply sneak up on me.

But, the truth is this: you cannot learn something until you are ready to learn it. I’ve said it a thousand times and will a thousand times more. Instead of resisting something, the best practice is to accept it and flow with the moment. Maybe it happens or maybe something even better does. And, that’s the lesson of intuition. 

It’s one I’ve always known but even I, an intuitive artist, had forgotten this most important thing. I hope you remember in your own life practices. Resistance is futile, as they say.

There it is - new work FINALLY! I’m trying to decide when to reveal it all, and I’ll see what I feel about that as these 6 pieces are completed. My studio assistant is schooling me in Instagram posting, so soon I think.

In the meantime, happy start to the holiday season and the season here in SWFL.  So much goodness ahead in the next couple of months especially now that I’m not resisting so much! My favorite holiday is this month (and I’m not even a pumpkin spice fan). I hope you are gearing up and smiling too along the way.

I’ll see you on the beach soon where I’m sure we’ll all be walking off our Thanksgiving eating (double trips to the mashed potatoes for me and pumpkin pie for the rest of you)!

XO, Chris