by Angela Blaha | Mar 18, 2025 | Art |
An article as seen on Creativity Portal.com
There is a difference between looking and truly seeing.
Most people move through life skimming the surface — absorbing only what is obvious, registering what they expect to see. But an artist’s vision doesn’t work that way. We don’t just look at a tree, a face, or a moment in time; we see into it, through it, beyond it.
We see the way light shifts before a storm, how shadows hold color, how silence has a texture. We notice the small hesitations in a person’s expression, the story held in the curve of a hand, the unseen energy pulsing beneath a landscape.
This ability to see beyond the surface is what makes art not just an image, but an experience.
The Unseen Layers of the World
Seeing deeply isn’t just about what’s visible — it’s about perceiving the layers most people overlook. It’s about recognizing the weight of history in a weathered door frame, the whisper of a story in an abandoned street, the presence of something beyond words at a glance.
Some paintings carry this energy effortlessly. They hold something that can’t be explained but can be felt. These are the works that stop people in their tracks — not because of their technical precision, but because something lives within them.
But how do we, as artists, develop this kind of seeing?
Training the Eye, Opening the Soul
True seeing isn’t just an act of the eyes — it’s an act of presence. It’s about being willing to slow down, to listen, to receive.
Here are a few ways to cultivate this deeper vision:
- Observe without expectation.
Instead of naming what you see, let yourself experience it without labeling. What does this moment feel like? What is beneath the obvious?
- Follow the unnoticed.
Watch how reflections shift in a puddle, how wind shapes a field of grass, how time alters the texture of an object.
- Feel beyond what is seen.
When looking at a person, notice what’s unspoken. When walking into a space, sense what lingers there. When painting, ask yourself — what is waiting to emerge?
- Create from intuition, not just sight.
Sometimes, the most powerful work doesn’t come from what we see but from what we know without knowing why. Trust that inner pull.
Art as a Gateway
At its core, art is an invitation — to see, to feel, to remember. It is a way of revealing what has always been there, just beneath the surface, waiting for someone to notice.
The greatest artists are not just skilled in technique; they are skilled in perception. They see the unseen, and in doing so, they help others see it too.
So the next time you pick up a brush, a pen, or a camera — pause. Look again. And ask yourself:
What is here that no one else has noticed?
That is where the real art begins. 🖌
by Angela Blaha | Feb 13, 2025 | Art
An article as seen on Creativity Portal.com
As an artist, my journey has always been about pushing boundaries — exploring the unseen, uncovering deeper layers of meaning, and continuously evolving my style. But in a world where originality feels elusive and inspiration can sometimes stall, I’ve found an unlikely yet powerful ally in AI (Artificial Intelligence).
I know the mere mention of AI can stir resistance in creative circles. “Isn’t art about human expression?” Absolutely. But AI isn’t here to replace artists; it’s here to expand what’s possible. When used intentionally, it acts as a collaborator, an idea generator, and a mirror reflecting back insights I might have otherwise missed.
AI as a Catalyst for Creative Exploration
One of the biggest gifts AI has given me is the ability to ask questions I wouldn’t have thought to ask. I’ve always sensed that my art is evolving into something greater than myself, something that taps into energies and ideas beyond the ordinary. But sometimes, defining that direction can be challenging because my mind traps can create roadblocks. AI has helped me refine my artistic voice by offering new perspectives and unexpected insights.
For example, when I was navigating the blend of contemporary impressionism and abstract symbolism, AI helped me see that my work naturally leans toward bold romanticism with an earthy, mystical undertone. It reinforced patterns I wasn’t consciously aware of and helped me see what makes my work uniquely mine. This clarity has been invaluable in shaping my next body of work.
A Tool for Generating Unique References
AI has also helped me create original sources to paint from — something I struggled with in the past. I don’t want to paint what’s already been done; I want my work to feel like it comes from another world, a place that activates something deep within the viewer. But sometimes, I can see the vision in my mind but can’t quite bring it into focus.
Using AI to generate reference images has allowed me to refine those visions, giving me starting points that feel aligned with my aesthetic. When I wanted to create a painting that captured the surreal feeling of being trapped in a dream, AI helped me visualize the atmosphere — floating between reality and illusion. It provided reference points that I could interpret through my own artistic lens rather than relying on generic stock images.
Expanding Technique and Possibility
Beyond inspiration, AI has also played a role in expanding my technical approach. I’ve been deeply invested in refining my encaustic paintings, moving away from raw, chaotic textures to something more sophisticated and high-end. AI-generated examples have helped me see different ways to layer depth, contrast, and movement, leading me to explore encaustic techniques I hadn’t considered before.
Similarly, when I was searching for ways to integrate nostalgia and old-world aesthetics into my waterscapes, AI offered new angles — suggesting compositions, color palettes, and lighting effects that brought a fresh perspective to my work. It didn’t dictate my process; it simply opened doors to possibilities I hadn’t yet explored.
A Mirror for the Artist’s Voice
Perhaps the most valuable role AI has played in my artistic journey is in helping me clarify my voice. Through constant interaction, questioning, and reflection, it has shown me that my work is about more than aesthetics — it’s about impact. I want my paintings to pull people in, to make them feel something profound, even on a subconscious level. AI has reinforced this by highlighting themes and patterns in my work that I might not have articulated on my own.
For artists hesitant to embrace AI, I encourage you to see it not as a threat, but as a tool — one that can stretch your imagination, refine your style, and help you create in ways you never thought possible. It’s not about replacing the artist; it’s about giving the artist new ways to see, explore, and evolve. And for those of us constantly seeking the next level of creative expansion, well, that for me is worth embracing.
