What Happens When You Stop Painting for an Audience

NO. 237 – Just Make Art | Abstract Oil Painting | Creating Without Expectations What happens when you stop thinking about what other people want to see and simply create something for yourself? In this episode of **Just Make Art**, I'm creating NO. 237, an original 10×10 abstract oil and cold wax painting using palette knives, layered colors, and texture. *🎨 Buy This Original Painting – $0.99 Starting Bid, NO RESERVE!* https://ebay.io/m/1aQLuq The Inspiration Behind NO. 237 Before walking into the studio, I came across a video of music producer Rick Rubin discussing his philosophy that "the audience comes last." His point was simple: don't create art for an audience. Create art for yourself. And by making something authentic to you, you're giving the audience the best thing you can offer. I didn't even finish watching the video. I closed my phone and went into the studio to paint. While painting, I was listening to the Beastie Boys compilation album *Beastie Boys Music*, and a lyric stood out to me: "Be true to yourself and you will never fall." That became an interesting connection to what I'd heard just before starting. The Painting Process I started with simple underpainting marks, using straight vertical, horizontal, and slightly diagonal lines. As the painting developed, those initial marks naturally influenced the composition, eventually creating four distinct sections. My palette included: Mars black mixed with Payne's gray Leftover blue from NO. 236 mixed with additional Prussian blue Red ochre, cadmium yellow medium, and burnt umber to create earthy rust tones The upper-right section began with vertical marks made by tapping the edge of a palette knife into the paint. I decided to add horizontal marks, creating an irregular grid of blue-black and white. The lower-left section developed into sweeping blue strokes, bringing movement and energy into the composition. In contrast, I added more of the rust-colored mixture to the lower-right section and smoothed it out, intentionally creating a quieter, almost untouched appearance. The painting became a balance of structure and spontaneity, complexity and simplicity. When it felt complete, I spent a few minutes stepping back, looking closely, and seeing whether the painting wanted anything more. It didn't. Just Make Art I don't begin my paintings with a sketch, reference image, or predetermined destination. I make a mark, respond to what happens, and continue until the painting no longer asks for anything else. Sometimes that means adding more texture. Sometimes it means covering something up. And sometimes it means knowing when to stop. NO. 237 is another example of that process. *Make art for yourself. Trust your instincts. Let the painting become what it wants to become.* Just Make Art. --- *Artwork Details* NO. 237 – Just Make Art 10×10 inches Original Oil & Cold Wax Painting Palette Knives Contemporary Abstract Expressionism *🎨 Own This Original Painting:* https://ebay.io/m/1aQLuq *🛒 Visit My eBay Art Store:* https://www.ebay.com/str/ambaalamps *📩 Art Inquiries:* ambaalamps.info@gmail.com *🔗 More Art & Social Media:* https://linktr.ee/ambaalamps.info If you enjoy abstract painting, oil and cold wax techniques, palette knife painting, and watching the creative process unfold without a predetermined plan, subscribe and follow along as I continue the Just Make Art series. #AbstractArt #OilPainting #ColdWaxPainting #PaletteKnifePainting #ambaalamps