I have been working on some non representational abstracts lately as I want to include them in some upcoming shows. Many look at abstracts and say something like “my four year old could do that!” While I do think that children may be better than most adults at abstract art, it is definitely not as easy as one would think! For one thing, it has to grab the viewer’s attention long enough for them to rise to the challenge of really engaging with it. It has to invite them to do the work of contemplating and pondering what it is expressing rather than just having it handed to them as in more representational work.
Much of my art actually begins as a non representational abstract, which I then use as a background, or as elements in my piece.
But sometimes, as in the ‘background’ above, it spoke to me as a standalone piece. Lately, the reverse has also been happening… pieces that started as an abstract, then shifted to something more representational. This was a piece that was in the beginning stages.
As I was looking at it, contemplating where to go with it next, I kept seeing image possibilities. For a few days I kept trying to work it into an abstract, but I kept seeing other possibilities. Finally I just decided to listen to my art and go the direction it seemed to want to. I can’t tell you the number of times I have started a piece with one intention, and then ended up going a different direction with it. Some of the pieces I have been happiest with I have let evolve into whatever direction they took me. It seems like one of the keys… at least for me… to successful artmaking is to learn how to stay out of the way! I think this is especially true of any kind of abstract work.
I kept seeing this floral arrangement in the image above. Do you see it too? I am not sure this piece is done yet, I think I have more tweeking to do.
What do you think? Do you prefer non representational abstract, or more representational pieces? Here is another abstract that turned into something more representational:
And here are some pieces in waiting that I am still pondering which direction to go with, or if they are finished. Any ideas?
I kind of see a busy city street scene in this first one, and I think I might move it just a touch more that direction…
I see a carnival in the next one…
And the circle in this final one definitely makes me think of a ferris wheel!
What do you see? Do you like your images more spelled out for you, or do you like to make your own interpretations?
Joanna Pinkerton
I like these as abstracts! You could call the first one “Busy Street” the second one “Carnival” the third one ? “Carnival II” I see a ferris wheel… ha. I am sure this is cause you mentioned seeing a carnival in the one before it. It could be a windmill or a bule moon…
I am really liking these abstracts as they are…finished in my humble opinion. Then titled as you see them leaning. I love Titles that expand my brain…but it only “works” when I can kinda see what the title is getting at. Some abstract art draws me in because of the Title!
Yet developing the painting further -when the art itself leads you- is also really fun. And the creative PROCESS is what it’s about!
Picasso (and most really good abstract artists) mastered representational art before ever launching into abstract. Looking at an object, their brain began to see it’s essence and used color and form to express the essence.
These are lovely Kayann! Really fun. Really beautiful as they are. I would sell them as abstracts. If after a time they don’t sell, and an image just begs being made more visible…you can always dance with them to a new horizon…using your brush or collage…
Seems to me the younger generation prefer abstract, nonrepresentational art…at least in my daughters house most of her art is abstract.
You are definitely in “the flow!” Keep flowing!
Kayann Ausherman
Oh Joanna, what helpful advice! Thank you so much! Good suggestion about trying these as abstracts and then “dancing with them to a new horizon” (I love that phrase!) later on if need be. Thank you for the encouragement as well. I think you are right about young people having an appreciation for abstract art. I will keep playing with it!
kim
It has been so interesting to see your art evolve! I love the florals, so much detail and amazing how it started/ended. Inspires me to look at my art pages with more depth esp when I get stuck. Beautiful work!
Kayann Ausherman
Thank you Kim! There are always so many other things to try and do!