Letting go of the thinking mind

These landscapes came together in a flow state – no planning, just colour, gesture, and instinct.

Lately, I’ve been creating art without thinking – and it’s been a revelation. Instead of consciously planning or deciding what to do next, I step back and simply watch my hands. I let them lead the way. Whether I’m painting, sculpting, cooking or even choosing what to wear, I observe what my hands do without interference from the mind. And honestly? I really enjoy this way of working and I like what I see.

I can still hear my mind but I choose not to act on it. I’m calling it, Following My Hands!

This way of working feels more natural, more aligned and less stressful. I’ve removed the mental chatter, silenced the inner critic and got rid of the negative root beliefs. What’s left is pure instinct – unfiltered and raw.

The hand–brain connection

These came out of nowhere – they surprised me. That’s the magic of intuitive art.

A dear friend of mine, a psychologist and art therapist, told me something fascinating:

The hands are hard-wired straight to the brain. There are receptors in your skin, so touch is really where the messages start running to and from the brain (very different from using a tool like a brush). Karo Faulds

There are entire regions of the brain dedicated to hand movement and sensation. This evolved system likely originates from our earliest ancestors, who used hand signals for communication and survival – long before formal language existed.

The hands are not just tools – they are expressive extensions of our nervous system. They can carry emotion, intent, and intelligence, even without the interference of conscious thought.

This isn’t about drawing accurately

The marks made themselves – I only observed and followed the movement.

Of course, mastering eye–hand coordination is crucial if you’re learning to draw what you see with precision. That takes repetition, training and a certain kind of focus. But what I’m talking about here isn’t that kind of art, it’s about once you’ve already learnt a skill and then doing it automatically.

This is about not trying to draw accurately. It’s about letting go of the idea that we have to get things “right.” It’s about bypassing the critical mind and allowing something deeper – more personal – to come through. It’s about getting into the flow state.

Automatic, intuitive and subconscious art

Unfiltered thoughts and lines – the subconscious, speaking through ink

This way of creating falls into the territory of automatic art, intuitive art or stream-of-consciousness work. These practices allow us to access the subconscious mind – a place where self-judgment, inhibition and external expectation fade away.

Think of doodling while on the phone: your conscious mind is distracted by conversation but your hand keeps moving, often producing curious, revealing marks. In that moment, your critical mind steps aside and something freer emerges.

Historically, artists and writers have used this method to uncover deep internal truths. The Surrealists practiced automatic writing and drawing to access the unconscious, hoping to bypass reason and discover something more authentic.

Trusting your inner world

Watching my hands work without conscious direction – a meditative and liberating experience.

We are often taught to look outward – to seek artistic guidance, inspiration or validation from the world around us. But I’m finding that some of the most meaningful ideas come from within. When we stop thinking so much, when we allow ourselves to create pointless art without agenda or expectation, we tap into a well of originality.

Follow your hands – there’s wisdom in them. They remember, they express and they often know what to do – even when the mind does not.

An invitation to create without thought

Work in progress – unfired clay swan sculpture. I didn’t know what it was going to be until right at the end.

If you’ve never tried this before, I invite you to experiment. Sit down with materials and begin. Don’t plan, don’t analyse – just let your hands move. Try painting, sculpting, collaging, even dressing yourself or cooking this way. Notice how it feels. Let it surprise you.

And when you look at what you’ve made, you might just discover something new – not just about art but about yourself and your creative health.

Art classes

If you would like to have an art class (online or in my Barcelona studio) and learn this technique in depth, then get in touch and book some time with me. I will guide and empower you to find your own way with this method. Check this blog about art classes to see what else you’d like to learn.

Buy me a coffee