Drawing from instinct.

Sometimes when I make art, I don’t fully know what it means until after it’s done. I follow a feeling, a shape, a spark of curiosity, and sometimes the unexpected appears. 

That’s how this image came to life. An octopus with tentacles that shift into the roots of a tree underwater. A squirrel peeking out from the hollow of the trunk. Three seahorses floating by, each wearing cowboy hats. And a seafloor that looks similar to a western desert landscape.

It seems strange, yet also feels true. 

I’m a neurodiverse artist, and for me, flexibility and intuition doesn’t come naturally at first, yet I try to connect to and adapt with it as I move through the world. I don’t always think in straight lines as keeping a routine schedule helps make transitions easier for me and provides a sense of security. 

Since I was two, I’ve enjoyed making art because when I do, I feel a shift, a spark. When I give myself the freedom to follow the flow of my art, somehow magic shows up. 

Octopuses are some of the most flexible, intuitive animals on the planet and I admire them. They can squeeze through impossibly small spaces, adapt instantly to their surroundings, and make split-second decisions using their whole body, not just their brain. They also have multiple brains in different parts of their body, nine altogether. One main brain in their head, and eight smaller brains in each arm all connected to their central brain. They can open jars, solve mazes, and disappear into the background with perfect camouflage. They live in a world that requires flexibility and intuition more often than rules. They remind us that there’s more than one way to play it smart and navigate the world. 

Roots are about connection. They stretch deep and anchor us firmly to our base, even when things around us shift. When you mix roots with the fluid, shapeshifting nature of the octopus, it creates tension, movement and grounding at the same time. Maybe that’s what we’re all trying to balance, how to stay rooted while also staying open. 

Sometimes you just have to throw in something wild. Maybe it’s about claiming your space in a world that doesn’t always make sense. These seahorses represent freedom and don’t care if they belong in the ocean or on the open range. Drifting through this strange underwater-western world, they have confidence, curiosity, and even hats. 

Growing your intuition is about learning to trust the quiet wisdom already inside you. It begins with creating space, moments of stillness, away from noise and distraction so you can actually hear your own inner voice. Practices like journaling, making art, or spending time in nature help you tune in. Your body often knows before your mind does, so start noticing how you physically feel when something feels right or wrong. 

For me, creativity opens the door to intuition. When you make art, write freely, or follow a spark of curiosity, you’re strengthening your inner guidance system. Reflecting on past gut decisions can help build your trust in those feelings. Most of all, intuition grows when you’re willing to sit with not knowing. It’s about taking small leaps, and listening closely. Not to the loudest voice, but the honest one within. 

This artwork is part instinct, part storytelling, part surreal daydream. I hope it makes you think or smile or just pause and look a little longer. Thanks for being here in this strange, intuitive little world of mine.