Art That Tells Its Own Story

Art has always been a conversation between the creator and the observer. But for me, it's not a conversation filled with explanations or detailed accounts of the artist's process. Instead, it's something much quieter, deeper—an unspoken exchange that unfolds when you stand before a piece of art and simply feel.

I’ve always been drawn to oil paintings because of their rich textures and evocative qualities. The way paint can be thick and bold in one area, then feather-light and delicate in another—it’s a medium that allows emotions to pour from the canvas without a single word being spoken. For me, that’s where the magic lies.

Maybe it’s because I’m both a writer and an artist that I appreciate the power of subtle storytelling. As a novelist, I craft characters and build worlds with words. But as a painter, I reach for something different—something unspoken. Oil paint lets me express what I can’t say out loud. It’s the perfect vessel for emotions too complex or tangled to be confined by words.

When I approach a blank canvas, I don’t start with a story in mind. I don’t map out a narrative or envision a particular scene. Instead, I let the paint guide me. I allow instinct and emotion to dictate where my brush will land, how thick the paint will be applied, or whether a color will blend smoothly or clash boldly. It’s an organic process, unplanned and free, and that’s exactly how I want it to be.

As viewers, we all bring our own experiences and emotions to a painting. A piece that fills one person with hope might evoke sadness in another. And that’s the beauty of art—it’s a mirror, reflecting not just the artist’s emotions but also the viewer’s own inner landscape.

Sometimes, I worry that our society has become too focused on explanations and backstories. We demand to know what motivated the artist, what their process was like, and what they intended to convey. But while that insight can be fascinating, it’s not necessary for true connection. In fact, it can sometimes get in the way.

I’ve had people ask me what inspired a particular piece, and while I’ll gladly share if it feels right, I often find myself hesitating. Because the truth is, the art isn’t about me—it’s about the person standing before it. What they see, what they feel, what they take away from it.

Oil paintings, especially, have a way of leaving just enough ambiguity for viewers to form their own interpretations. The swirling strokes of color, the interplay of light and shadow, the way a single brushstroke can suggest movement or emotion—it’s all there for the viewer to experience firsthand, without any guiding narrative.

I believe that art should be allowed to speak for itself. It shouldn’t be confined by the artist’s intentions or weighed down by explanations. Instead, it should exist as a living, breathing entity that continues to evolve with every new set of eyes that gazes upon it.

When I stand in front of a painting—whether it’s my own or someone else’s—I don’t want to know the backstory. I want to feel the energy of the piece, absorb the colors and shapes, and let it move me however it will. I don’t want to be told what I’m supposed to see or feel. I want to discover it for myself.

And that’s the beauty of oil painting. It’s a language that doesn’t require words. It speaks in shades of crimson and cobalt, in bold strokes and subtle smudges. It whispers and shouts and everything in between. And when it speaks, all you have to do is listen.

So the next time you find yourself in front of an oil painting, try to quiet the questions. Forget about the artist’s motivations or the meaning behind the piece. Just let the painting wash over you and tell its own story.

Because sometimes, the best conversations are the ones that are never spoken at all.

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