How Meditation Fuels My Painting Process

I don’t sit to clear my mind; I sit to notice it. Ten quiet minutes before painting slows the chatter so I can hear what the work is asking. Breath gives me tempo; I sense whether today calls for broad movement or careful edits. During longer sessions, I pause, close my eyes, and replay the painting’s rhythm in my head. Meditation also helps me endure uncertainty. Instead of forcing a solution, I can wait until the next necessary move reveals itself. The canvas stops being a problem to fix and becomes a conversation to stay with. I finish calmer than I start, which makes the work more honest. Presence doesn’t guarantee good paintings, but it guarantees that I’m there when they arrive.