"I'm not done!"

Those were the words I heard when I felt like I was finished with an encaustic art piece. I simply stared at it, not knowing what wasn't done. It wasn't frustration that held me there — it was something deeper, a whisper that sent a question mark through my mind. The painting had found its voice, and it was telling me it wasn't finished.

Sometimes, creating art feels less like a process and more like a dialogue. You begin with an idea, a vision, a spark — and as the piece comes to life, it begins to speak. It whispers its desires, its intentions, its truths. The artist's role, then, is not to impose but to listen.

It wanted to be defined. It needed more highs and lows. Certain areas demanded attention, to stand out and be seen. In that moment, I felt so alive and connected. It was as if the painting wasn't mine at all — it was coming through me, not from me.

Before each piece is created, I spend considerable time in meditation, asking the Universe: What will speak to people? What do they need? Intuitively, every piece I create emerges from a word, a vision, or a concept. While I often sense the core idea deep within, the words to describe it are usually lost in translation. To bridge that gap, I immerse myself in research, read books, find inspiration in nature, or even explore concepts through AI tools.

I'm never afraid of the blank white canvas in front of me. Working with encaustic wax feels like a partnership with the unpredictable yet deeply rewarding medium. The wax moves, melts, and solidifies, almost as if it has a life of its own. It demands that I listen carefully. One wrong move and the entire balance of the piece shifts. But this is where the magic happens and I lose myself in the process, only to step back at the end of the day, amazed at what has been created.

Each layer feels like a conversation — not just with the wooden canvas, but with myself. In these quiet exchanges, the work transforms from a collection of colors into something alive, carrying its own energy. My intention is always the same: to let the piece live. My role is simply to be the alchemist, listening and giving form to what is coming into existence.

With every piece, I grow. I deepen my intuitive wisdom. I see myself as a collaborator with creation, a vessel to bring the unseen into reality. And as I share my work, I've noticed that people don't just respond to the image — they feel the energy within it.

So, I invite you to explore your relationship with your art. The next time you sit down to create, take a moment to pause. Ask your art what it needs, what it wants people to know. Then, simply listen. Create with passion and allow the energy to pour into the piece so it lives. 🖌

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Next: Finding Your Voice and Revealing the Unseen

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Copyright ©2024 Angela Blaha. All rights reserved.

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