The Ritual Before the Brush: A Look Inside My Artist Creative Process
- MMHC - Marina
- Feb 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 21
An abstract painting is more than just layers of paint on a canvas. It’s a record of a moment, a capture of an emotion, a physical manifestation of an internal state. For many art lovers, collectors, and especially curators, a key question is: how was it made? This question goes deeper than just technique. It’s a search for the story, the intention, and the philosophy woven into the fabric of the work. It's what separates a simple decorative object from a piece of fine art.
Today, I want to pull back the curtain on my own artist creative process. It’s a practice that is less about a frantic moment of inspiration and more about a quiet, deliberate preparation. It’s a ritual that grounds me and allows the core concepts of my Intuitive Geometry work to emerge authentically. For anyone who has ever wondered what happens before the first mark is made on a piece of modern art, this is a look inside my world as the artist MMHC.
The Artist Creative Process Begins with Stillness
My creative process doesn’t begin when I enter my studio in Abu Dhabi. It starts much earlier, with a conscious and deliberate moment of stillness. In a world that moves at a dizzying pace, filled with constant notifications and a never-ending stream of information, I’ve found that I create my most honest and resonant work only when I first connect with a sense of inner calm. This is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
For me, this often takes the form of a simple mindfulness practice. It’s nothing complex or dogmatic. It might be five minutes of quiet, focused breathing. It might be the simple act of lighting a candle and watching the flame for a moment. Sometimes, it’s just sitting with a cup of tea, feeling its warmth, and letting the noise of the day, the to-do lists, the expectations, the inner critic, settle down. This practice is not about emptying my mind, but rather about creating space within it. It’s in this space that the “intuitive” part of my Intuitive Geometry philosophy can surface. It’s a way of listening, of tuning into a feeling or an energy that wants to be expressed.
This preparatory ritual is crucial because it allows me to approach the canvas not with an agenda, but with an open heart. It ensures that the work comes from a place of authenticity, rather than a place of pressure or ego. As many artists and creativity experts have noted, a state of mindfulness can unlock a more fluid and less judgmental mode of thinking, often referred to as a “flow state” . This is the state I aim to be in before I even think about color or composition.
From Intention to Canvas: A Dialogue in Action
Once I feel grounded and centered, I approach the canvas. This is where the dialogue between the two core forces of my work begins: the structured and the spontaneous, the geometric and the intuitive.
1.The Geometric Foundation: Creating the Anchor
I often start by laying down a structural element. This could be a clean, decisive line that divides the canvas, a series of balanced rectangular forms, or a simple circular shape that will serve as the heart of the piece. This is the "Geometry" part of the equation. It’s the logical, grounding framework that will hold the entire composition together. It’s the anchor. This initial structure is deeply influenced by my background in design at the École Boulle, where I learned to respect the power of a well-balanced and intentional composition. In a work like Paradox, the strong, underlying grid of stone-like textures provides this sense of stability and order.
2.The Intuitive Expression: Letting the Soul Speak
With the structure in place, I allow for freedom. This is where the energy I’ve cultivated in my mindfulness practice comes through. It might manifest as a spontaneous, energetic brushstroke that cuts across a clean line. It could be an unplanned drip of paint that I choose to follow and embrace. Or it might be the application of a tactile material, like the raw sand or shimmering copper leaf you see in my work, which adds an element of unpredictability and raw, natural beauty to my handmade art.
This is the emotional, unpredictable part of the process. It’s the soul of the painting. It’s the moment of surrender where I let the painting itself guide my next move. This back-and-forth continues, a dance between control and release, until the piece feels complete. Every layer is a decision, a response to the one before it. The final painting is a testament to this journey, a rich history of marks and moments.
Why the Process is the Story
For a curator or a serious collector, understanding an artist's process is crucial. It reveals the depth and intentionality of the work. It shows that the art is not accidental but is born from a coherent and thoughtful practice. It’s the difference between a merely decorative object and a piece of art with a story to tell. This is why a clear artist statement is so vital; it acts as a bridge between the visual work and the philosophy that drives it, giving curators a deeper entry point into the artist's world .
My ritualistic approach ensures that every painting is more than an aesthetic exercise. It is an artifact of a moment of connection, a piece of stillness in a chaotic world, and a genuine expression of my artistic philosophy. It is how I ensure that each work has a soul, a history, and a quiet energy that I hope will continue to resonate in the space it ultimately calls home. When you see my art for sale, you are seeing the culmination of this entire journey.
This commitment to process is what allows me to create art that is not just seen, but felt. It’s what I believe gives the work its power to transform a space, to offer a moment of pause, and to become a true anchor in someone’s life.
References
To see the results of this mindful and intentional process, I invite you to view my latest works in the portfolio.
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