Up: [[Expressive Art]] Related: [[Expressive Art Advice from Nora Swan-Foster]] Created: 2023-09-22 Updated: 2025-12-18 [Michele Cassou](https://www.michelecassou.com/about) was one of the first artists to teach spontaneous (expressive) painting. - If you want to cover up or destroy an image, be very suspicious. You are most likely reacting to a new feeling that is emerging. - If you are suddenly tired while creating, that’s suspicious too. Michele interprets sudden fatigue as a message from the deeper self that something wants to be painted. - Any physical reaction can be a direct message from the unconscious. Nausea, dizziness, or headaches can be signs you are relaxing your control and allowing yourself to open to the potential of the moment. - To think you need to know what your painting means beyond what comes to you naturally is to disrespect the intuitive part of yourself. - If you believe you’re finished, ask yourself what is not allowed to be in your painting…and then see if you want to paint it. - Try to keep going after being absolutely certain you are finished. - Look at your work with eyes of mystery and curiosity, not judgment. - If the judgment of ‘ugly’ persists, try to intentionally paint ugly. - If overwhelmed by emotions, make your brush move faster than your thoughts. That will help you to disengage from the drama. - If a difficulty has a firm grip, amplify it. Turn up the volume, the force of the gesture.