Claire Jo Harmer, Contemporary Landscape Painter Based in South Devon

Painting intuitively is an exciting and. at times, scary process. I need to let go of inhibitions, of expectations and trust myself. This doesn’t mean there’s no planning or ‘work’ involved. Some of my paintings have been steadily forming in my mind for months or even years (even DECADES) before the first marks are made on any surface. For me, the intuition is the faith I have in my own decision making in the creative ‘moment’, the willingness to converse with the canvas. Not just talking to it…although that can happen…but in responding to each mark with another, a back and forth of looking, considering and placing.

I look. I photograph. I sketch. I sketch some more. I contemplate. I set aside. I come back. I make a decision….to begin and THEN the intuition kicks in, and when it REALLY kicks in… the art comes to life.

Painting from the heart