Looking at Art...our Unique Response

Looking at Art:
Art is pretty fascinating in its ability to create “responses” within us.  This may seem pretty obvious a statement for anyone who has stood still in front of a paintings. Yet, as a painter, I am fascinated by the variety of energies one experiences in creating a piece. Some paintings take out a huge amount of energy in their creation, coming from a deep place, with a breathless quality in their making. Others emerge slow and rubbling underneath conscious thought, seemingly to appear from nowhere.  Then there are the ones that "paint themselves", like painting with light, free and easily moving, a simple song with a recognizable melody.  Sometimes the paintings finished reflect those energies, but not always. That’s fascinating too. I am intrigued that individual paintings seems to evoke similar responses in others. I somehow capture an specific essence, yet all are abstracts.  
We realize that some paintings pull us in, some inspire, some repel, some intrigues, some we look for meaning, some we admire, and the list goes on. Art watching is so much more than a quick decision of “I like it” or “I do not like it”.  Whenever I am showing, I encourage individuals to stand just a little bit "longer" and gaze. Ask a question, then allow the painting to speak to you while you listen to answer.... it's often a quiet whisper.