Finding Your Artistic Voice: Recognizing Inauthentic Layers as a Highly Sensitive Abstract Artist
- Dr Pranita Rao
- Sep 12
- 4 min read
Hello, sensitive and highly sensitive abstract artists!
I've been recently going through my closet and realizing that my abstract art has now occupied a huge part of it. I need more closet space! Speaking of clothes, how do we feel about having layers that don't feel like ours?
As a highly sensitive person, it is easier to absorb the emotions and thoughts of our friends and family members on a daily basis. We might sometimes be in survival mode, and our sensitive nervous systems could function at high levels of cognitive and metabolic demand; that is, our body and mind would be asking more of us cognitively and metabolically.
At such times, it is easy to be inauthentic. It is easy to be someone else or act like someone else. For example, yesterday evening, I was creating an abstract artwork and began creating a brush stroke shaped like a sword. A little voice in me went, 'do you actually want to make a sword?'
It wasn't until I stopped to hear that voice that I realised that I didn't want to make a sword. That wasn't me. It wasn't my layer. I actually wanted to create a big blotch of white paint.
It was funny because I was making an ocean in the background, and a sword in the middle of the ocean would seem to be a rare observation. Could you imagine seeing a sword rising up in the middle of an ocean? I would probably look at it as the merger of Jason Momoa from Aquaman and Drogo from Game of Thrones coming to life.
Anyway, as highly sensitive people, it can be challenging to separate our layers from others. It is slightly trickier if one is a highly sensitive abstract artist, as we can give more priority to creating what could be someone else’s emotion, idea, or perspective.
'Is this the color I want to use?' 'Is this the brush I want to use?' 'Is this the thought or emotion I want to paint?' 'Is this the idea I want to project on the canvas?'
Questions of such nature can arise. However, such questions are great. The more we ask such questions of ourselves, the more we can train ourselves to shed off layers that aren't ours.
Wouldn't you want that?
Wouldn't you want to paint the true ‘you’?
Wouldn't you want to represent the true ‘you’?
Now, for the ones who are new to the topic of high sensitivity, I want to share that:
‘Welcome to the club, Amigo! You’re in for a fun and sensitive ride!’
On a scientific note, Dr Elaine Aron, an American scientist, suggests that 10% to 30% of the human population can be highly sensitive. In fact, the high sensitivity trait can be found in species such as birds, mammals, fruit flies, dogs, and fish too. In her research, she shares that highly sensitive people can be sensitive to positive and negative stimuli. For example, one can be sensitive to loud siren noises and soothing music too. The effect of both stimuli could be different, but it could be somewhat intense. Dr Elaine Aron has designed a self-test that helps individuals self-identify as highly sensitive. I suggest a self-test as a good start to understanding the trait :).
I perceive highly sensitive people as individuals who have higher sensitivity levels towards various stimuli such as emotions, thoughts, words, art, energy, noises, crowds, and food. Highly sensitive people can be highly aware too, making them vulnerable to emotional, psychic, and energetic overwhelm.
All problems have solutions. I’d like to share that I advocate for a coping tool like abstract art, as I’ve seen abstract art support my sensitivity. I’ve felt its soothing, relaxing, and grounding effect on my nervous system and energy body.
I know that highly sensitive abstract artists are not as common as non-highly sensitive abstract artists (is that even a word?). However, gifts such as sensitivity and abstract art skills support sensitive artists. One must never deny them or avoid them, rather utilize them and embrace them.
It can be overwhelming to walk on a journey of self-discovery, especially if one is highly sensitive and artistic. So, if you need human support, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. To receive angelic and energetic support, please visit my vertical 'The Muddy Space'.
Regardless of your choice, please stay sensitive, artistic, and empowered :).
-3, 2, 1, Cheers,
Pranita Rao
Science communicator | Intuitive abstract artist | Energy worker
Reference: Aron E. The Highly Sensitive Person : How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You. Broadway Books; 1996.
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The word count for this post is 765.
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Disclaimer: Please note that the information on this site and blog is not medical information. Expressive Sensitive is a space to inform, educate, and engage highly sensitive people about the relationship between abstract art and high sensitivity. Please be advised that I utilize my education and experience as an artist, healer, energy worker, and a science communicator to create authentic content in this space.
To get medical support, please reach out to a qualified medical professional. Please reach out to authorized educational professionals to replicate my artistic or emotional coping methods.
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