Understanding Abstract Art- My Journey

From early on, my art style has always been that of a realist. Portraits have always been my favorite as you know from last week's newsletter, but I enjoyed still lifes and landscapes as well. I've always been standoffish regarding abstract styles, as it was an enigma to me. One that haunted me...

About 10 years ago, I had an opportunity to view an exhibit featuring Mark Rothko. I found myself standing in front of a vastly large painting, and I remember being lost in it for at least five minutes. I mean… I was completely speechless. The colors were soft and muted, one bleeding into the other the lower they went on the canvas. For some reason that I cannot explain, it touched me deeply. Because there was no distinct physical subject matter, I couldn't relate it to anything tangible, but it affected me deeply on an emotional level. That's when I realized I was missing the essence of abstract. It's a unique language, and it was finally speaking to me. I started to look at all abstract painters with a new respect and appreciation. They could affect people in a way that other artists couldn't, because they portrayed the ethereal. 

I wanted to connect with people on this deeper wavelength; to touch others as I had been. It took me a few years, but I started to dabble in what I thought was the unreachable. As I experimented, I began to find myself and realize it was not so hard. Although I was a realist, I had always sought to capture it and it's most ethereal form. I eventually was able to tap into that part of myself and voila! Now, it's one of my favorite genres of painting! Who would've thought???  

Since then, some of my most praiseworthy pieces have been... you guessed it, abstract. One of my favorite activities if to experiment with new techniques to see what I can evoke from it.  It just goes to show what an adventure art and life can be if you are open to the new. You may see me using my abstract work in new ways. I'm not giving out any spoilers just yet, as it's still in the planning stages, so stay tuned. As always, you'll be the first to know. ;-)