Paint Me Like I Am (Alicia) Painting

As an artist, I am inspired by the complete freedom of the abstract form. I am an intuitive and gestural, abstract painter. I want to express, not illustrate. My signature style emphasizes improvisational techniques and jazz-like expressionistic use of color, line, form, texture, numbers or words and space to represent things that are not visual -- perhaps, an emotion, a sound, a place, an event or a spiritual experience. My goal is to take viewers on a journey of discovery, similar to the experience I had in my creative process. I start each painting with no pre-conceived idea of what the end result will be. It’s a spontaneous and intuitive process (a personal journey of discovery) that I enjoy, and until I make that first mark on the canvas or paper, I don’t always know what colors or shapes I’ll use, which adds an authentic, honest and organic layer to my work. I use various acrylics, sometimes fabrics and found objects within and behind shapes, patterns and lines to move from one mark to the next. I use traditional bristle brushes and non-conventional tools -- from spray bottles, self-made stencils and combs to kitchen utensils -- which fuels my creativity. Using mediums and gels available today, I blend my own unique color mixtures. I intentionally title my paintings using words similar to bits of poetry that convey feelings and intangible concepts. A somewhat less prominent, but no less fascinating component of my paintings is the contrasting sides of the canvases. Painting patterns on the sides of my canvases gives viewers a full 180-degree experience. I have no fears about making changes...for a painting has a life of its own.