Intuitive painting focuses on the experience of painting and the inward creative process instead of the finished product. Some find it spiritual or therapeutic, tapping into feelings and expressing them through paint.
Others, like instructor Cara Gregor, find it can pave the way for more creativity. “This style of painting is incredibly freeing because you literally cannot do it ‘wrong,’” Gregor said. “There is no wrong way to create and once you accept that, many other doors can open up in the creative process.”
In the Learnery class, Intuitive Abstract Painting, participants use acrylic paint to apply color, shapes and patterns to their canvas. Participants can tap into internal feelings or take inspiration from external places. Gregor, for instance, often includes natural elements into her work and finds inspiration in different color combinations.
The class is designed to be a studio space for both new students and repeat participants. A $20 supply kit can be added to class registration, which supplies participants with a set of acrylic paints and brushes. Alternatively, participants with their own supplies or those who have signed up for an intuitive painting class before can skip the supply kit and join the class for another inspirational session under Gregor’s guidance.
Gregor, who lives on Portola Way, is a self-taught artist who has been dedicated to her art practice for 15 years. She recently started taking art classes through Sacramento City College to build confidence as an artist and learn new skills. She also embarked on a painting challenge in which she painted every day for a full year, ending in mid- August.
Intuitive Abstract Painting will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 23. There’s a fee of $25 per person and $20 for the optional supply kit. Additional classes and registration information are available online at sierra2.org/TheLearnery.