It seems almost unfathomable that in the 21st century something new has been found. Could it be that it's not me that's found it, but in fact my lack of reading that's just not led me to find something that already exists? If my brief Google search brings up nothing, does that mean it's not there? Perhaps some older and wiser fellow has named it something else...

We'll see.

Esoteric Automatism is the most accurate way I could think of describing this form of painting. I would call it new, but I feel sure there are others out there doing it. It's only because of my 'relationships' with other abstract artists have led me to realize that in fact I was not one of them. Nothing about my art is abstract. There is a very defined action that's going on even if at the time I am unaware or not in control of that action. There is a dialogue. A story, so to put it together with someone painting some random swishes and patterns seems insulting to the piece.

I have defined Automatism to mean the following. Something is happening. I have no pre-knowledge as to what that action is. Even if my desire were to involve myself in the action, I am still unaware of any thought of outcome prior to the act. In fact, as the painting is starting to develop or evolve, I will often cut myself off from it if I feel myself overly participating, I'll do something that I would not do to part from the process. I would classify myself therefore as no more than a brush. I'm a viewer of an unknown outcome. It just happens that the world needs a culprit for a creation, and since I was the brush closest at hand, then we can blame me.

Automatism, to mean literally automatic.
The only control I may boast to have is the size of canvas I use, since this is pre determined prior to creating. The medium and the palette of colors I put in front are really all that I control. If I have the whole spectrum available, the chances are that much of those colors will appear in subsequent piece, but merely limiting the availability of colors, equipment or mediums to some extent controls the in part the participation in the piece.

Esoteric is a new word to my vocabulary and honestly new to my understanding of art in many forms.

I see people, particularly faces in just about everything. The simplest form that most everyone can understand is the shapes in the clouds. A cloud that looks like a rabbit or an elephant or whatever. I see things in everything. In patterns on the floor. In the way that fabric hangs, or patterns are put together. I am constantly seeing things more than what is in front of me, often giving the appearance of a somewhat glazed look on my part. I just presumed that the rest of the world was not only seeing them, but if I were to see them, seeing them just as I did too.... but this is far from the case I'm realizing. The Esoteric nature of the paintings have become that I'm now realizing that not everyone can see what I can. Only certain groups allow the time for the art to relate to them. To others it remains just a mess of simplistic lines.

As I stand in front of a painting and I see things. Life. Movement. Shapes. An unknown story and a painting develops. I've learned not to question it because the results prove themselves worthy of the trust. Again and again I paint something of worth emotionally to myself or to someone else. Something personal and penetrating. It is no longer paint randomly on a canvas, but an understanding and in some cases a bond is formed between the art and the viewer. People (including myself) become "emotionally attached" to the art.(A phrase I'm noticing becoming common to people who are around the work.) Prior relationships I've been in request that art as if they have a right to state claim to these works, and I've noticed bonds are made with people around pieces that are formed whilst knowing them.

There is one final thing that happens that makes this new 'movement' complete. Truly something that I believe is unique to this style.

When the painting is complete, I title it, if it is not already titled. I've recognized this now to be my title alone. My interpretation of what I believe this piece to be, however I've realized that the painting is not and will never be 'finished'.

Each Esoteric viewer, is not satisfied for the most part with what I am presenting. New ideas are formed past my own. The ideas don't trump my own, but they do hold equal par to mine. I sense a feeling of almost envy or jealousy as the 'mere viewer' of the art takes control of the piece and starts to introduce new elements to the art. What's 'annoying' (poor use of words because I have grown to accept and in some part enjoy it) is that I see what they are talking about and MY art begins to take on a new form in itself. The painting is ALIVE. Here I signed and titled this piece only to find that it's not finished. It's never going to be until not another eye views it.

Suddenly images that I first saw are matched in equality to these bastardized ideas, yet I too must face that I am only an adopted parent to these unrealized, unknown creations. Who am I to state that their assumptions are incorrect and mine are just because I had the gaul to sign a work as my own.

As time goes on, more and more faces,actions, objects and stories fill the canvas until I realize that I can no longer call this piece finished.

It was not my intention to define a new art form... or a new movement perhaps. At best I am trying to find out more about life and people and my paintings certainly do add to that for me. I'm trying to find out more about life and my creator beyond the tangible ways that claim to be 'the norm'.

This art form is not as exclusive... as esoterical as it seems however. I'm not naive enough to think I'm the first and only one out there painting in this manner. Perhaps I'm just the first one to write it down and begin it's formation though.

More to come.
I would love to hear your feedback to these thoughts, so please feel free to email me.
Thanks,

Adam Parsons
www.pwason.com

Automatism defined as:

a. The state or quality of being automatic.
b. Automatic mechanical action.
1. Philosophy. The theory that the body is a machine whose functions are accompanied but not controlled by consciousness.
2. Physiology.
a. The involuntary functioning of an organ or other body structure that is not under conscious control, such as the beating of the heart or the dilation of the pupil of the eye.
b. The reflexive action of a body part.
3. Psychology. Mechanical, seemingly aimless behavior characteristic of various mental disorders.

Esoteric defined as:

a. Intended for or understood by only a particular group: an esoteric cult.
b. Of or relating to that which is known by a restricted number of people.
c. Confined to a small group: esoteric interests.
d. Not publicly disclosed; confidential.