Creating the Unseen

November 27, 2024


In the world of art, there’s a saying that “to paint anything that already exists is dull.” At first glance, this may seem like a harsh critique, but beneath the surface lies a deep truth about the power of artistic creation. The truly exciting moments in art don’t come from replicating the world around us—they come from reaching within ourselves to bring forth something entirely new, something that has never been seen before.

This is not a call to abandon realism or to reject the beauty of the world as we know it. Instead, it’s an invitation to transcend what is familiar and to create from a place of personal discovery. It’s about peeling back the layers of our inner selves and expressing the raw, uncharted visions that lie beneath the surface.

Perils of Imitation

Humanity has always had a fascination with imitation. We replicate nature, recreate old masters, and strive to capture the essence of the world in our work. While there’s nothing wrong with this—after all, art history is built on exploration and reinterpretation—the danger lies in the comfort of repetition. When we paint what already exists, we are engaging in a form of mimicry. The process may still be rich and beautiful, but it can lack the freshness of original discovery.

Imagine the thrill of experiencing a work of art for the first time. It might be the startling shape of a surreal landscape or the unexpected harmony in a chaotic swirl of colors. This is the kind of excitement that comes from creating something that hasn’t been seen before. It’s the spark that ignites new thoughts, new emotions, and new ways of looking at the world.

Inner Landscape

The beauty of this approach to art is that it requires no external inspiration—just the courage to explore what’s within. Artists can tap into their memories, dreams, fears, and fantasies, allowing these internal landscapes to shape their work. When we paint what already exists, we are often trying to represent something in the external world, which is already shaped by its own rules and limitations. But when we reach into the depths of ourselves, we can create without boundaries. There are no rules except those we choose to impose.

In this way, art becomes an intimate act of self-discovery. Each brushstroke, each line, is a reflection of something deep within, whether it’s a memory of a lost place, a feeling of alienation, or a subconscious desire. These personal truths translate into forms and colors that can only exist on the canvas, and in doing so, they invite others into a realm that is uniquely yours.

Art of the Unseen

When an artist ventures into uncharted territory, the result can be both exhilarating and unpredictable. It’s a risky process—one that involves vulnerability and the possibility of failure. But it’s also where the magic happens. Some of the greatest works of art have come from moments when artists stopped copying what they saw in front of them and instead followed their instincts into the unknown.

Take for example the surrealists, who created worlds that bent the rules of reality, or the abstract expressionists, who painted raw emotion in non-representational forms. These movements weren’t concerned with depicting the world as it was—they were more interested in conveying the essence of what it meant to be human, to feel, to dream, to imagine. The power of these works lies not in their likeness to the real world, but in their ability to evoke something deeper, something more visceral.

Facing the Unknown

The most exciting thing about creating art that hasn’t been seen before is that it’s an invitation to step into the unknown. It’s about embracing uncertainty, taking risks, and trusting the process. It requires a level of faith in your own creativity and in the belief that what emerges from you can be valuable, even if it doesn't immediately make sense.

It’s also a reminder that the boundaries of creativity are not defined by what already exists, but by the artist’s ability to push past them. When we break free from the confines of replication and embrace the freedom of originality, we unlock a new world of possibilities. The excitement doesn’t come from trying to match what’s already been done; it comes from discovering what hasn’t been done yet.

Thrill of Creation

In the end, the true thrill of art lies in the process of creation itself. It’s not just about the finished piece, but about the journey—the moment when you allow yourself to let go of what you think you know and open yourself to something new. The joy is in the act of bringing something into being that is not a reflection of the world around you, but a reflection of your inner world.

So, the next time you pick up a paintbrush or sit down to create, ask yourself: What’s inside me that hasn’t been seen yet? What part of me can I bring to life? Don’t be afraid to reach within and let out something that’s never been seen before—it may just be the most exciting thing you’ve ever created.