Instinct - Senior Show

Staring out a window during class or doodling in my notebook, I often find myself seeking an escape from the present moment. Organic lines, joining together to create abstract forms, pop up repeatedly across my notes and sketchbooks. I continuously draw similar shapes that, on the surface, mean nothing to me. This made me question: why do I draw the same forms over and over? The pressure to create work where the meaning and intent have more value than the product can be artistically stifling. I decided to take the organic shapes I love to doodle and push them beyond my notebooks. My own lack of understanding for why I feel the urge to continue drawing these shapes made me uncomfortable, but the process of creating the pieces turned into an escape. The repetition of drawing each unique shape followed by painting distracted me from any stress and anxiety I was feeling. Choosing colors was always spontaneous, from being inspired by an overcast sky or picking a color that reflected my frustration with a class. I struggle with over thinking and doubting each move I make; the process of creating work through instinct has been refreshing. With each shape I draw, I have no intent for how it should look. Working instinctively, I let the other shapes around influence the form. The shapes almost fit together like a puzzle and give me a feeling of completeness. The patterns have the potential to go on infinitely. There is comfort in knowing another shape will always appear next.