Art in the time of AI
I have to force myself to write, and that's definitely not the case for painting. I'm actually trying to find more time to paint, but life just seems to creep into my days. That's part of the reason I have to force myself to write. The rest of the reason has to do with the fact that writing and painting engage the brain and body in different and unique ways. Writing requires translating abstract thoughts into structured language. Painting, on the other hand, is a more sensory and intuitive process that relies on visual expression and physicality. The difficulty of writing often stems from the challenge of bridging the gap between fleeting thoughts and precise language, while painting allows for more ambiguity and immediate creativity.
My thoughts often exist in fragmented, emotion-rich, and non-linear abstract forms, while writing demands organization, grammar, and coherence. That structured encoding process feels restrictive or difficult compared to the freeform nature of thought. Writers must think about audience, tone, narrative structure, and logic, which requires cognitive effort and sustained focus. On the other hand, I am mostly concerned about one of those "sustained focus".
Of course, you probably know that the right and left sides of our brains are responsible for the different functions we perform. Painting relies on visual and spatial reasoning rather than verbal language. It taps into the brain's right hemisphere, which is associated with creativity, intuition, and spatial awareness. Painters can convey a mood or concept through color, shape, and texture without needing to articulate their intent in words.
The Lies I Tell #1
Art in the time of AI
Language carries rigid rules (grammar, syntax, punctuation), and the need for clarity and coherence can feel stifling. Painting, by contrast, allows for ambiguity and interpretation, which often feels more forgiving. Our thoughts move faster than the act of writing and translating a fleeting idea into text can feel slow and frustrating to me.
Both writing and painting involve idea generation and overcoming creative blocks, but the strategies to break through are often medium-specific. Writers may combat the blank page by freewriting, outlining, or brainstorming.
Whereas a painter might play, experimenting with colors, textures, or abstract forms to unlock their creativity.
But both forms require a flow state, which involves a balancing of your natural creative instincts.
Why You Might Think “Painters Should Be Able to Write”.
Writing is tied to everyday communication, so it seems like it should come naturally. However, the complexity of writing well—finding the right words, structuring ideas, and maintaining a voice—makes it more demanding than casual thought or conversation. Painting is an art form so people generally judge it with more openness to experimentation and looking at imperfections as part of the meaning. Writing, by contrast, is judged by stricter standards. No one likes misspelling or poor grammar, and I'm no exception, even though I'm guilty of it all the time.
An artist generally will work the canvas all at once. Typically starting with an outline and then slowly filling it out, being mindful of the element they’re working on, and maintaining an awareness of how each element influences the whole. I suppose writers can work like that, too, but in general, I think they have to have a more linear approach.
And now I'm forcing myself to come to a conclusion. Here it is... Isn't it odd how similar and at the same time so different?
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