UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #48

“Transience”

Finalist in the Kenilworth Art Awards 2009.

Acrylic

100x100cm

                                                  

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

This painting is one of a series of paintings called SATSANG.  It is a spiritual word which essentially means “meeting in Truth”.  If you get the feeling of emptiness, then the painting is having the desired effect – it is a meditation.

It represents the NOW – the past and future does not exist.  If thoughts come, then the conscious observation of those thoughts as they drift in and out of consciousness is enough.  The content of those thoughts is irrelevant.

This series of paintings aims to say “that which cannot be said in words”- they simply ARE...

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

I use overpainting as a process.  Often this process moves from chaos into order.  The abstraction allows me to work without conscious intent.  The layers of overpainting convey the notion of reincarnation – the past manifesting in the present.  

The viewer determines which way the painting is to be hung; therefore there is no signature on the painting.  This is for two reasons.  Firstly, it allows the viewer to interact with the work on an ephemeral level.  Secondly, because these paintings seem to evolve without conscious intent, it maintains the integrity of each painting as being free of ownership.  I do however sign my name on the back of the paintings.  

None of the paintings are framed but rather expand beyond their borders giving a limitless quality of boundlessness.

In this painting the flat plane of warm colour is counterbalanced by the slither of its compliment on one side.  This flat look is reminiscent of Abstract Expressionism. 

The composition is contained with a square which often helps create a feeling of balance. The square format is much favoured by me of late.

The tonal value is low with an emphasis on colour.  The point of focus is the fluoro orange colour.  There is little texture as the paint is applied by roller which adds to the flat finish.

This painting was a Finalists at the Kenilworth Art Awards 2009.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #47

“Sandplay” – Donated to St.Hilda’s School, Southport.

(Acrylic)  

90x120cm 

ABOUT THE PAINTING AND MY BOOK:

On 27^th October this year, St.Hilda’s School, Southport, Australia (which is my old school) will be hosting a dinner to commemorate the school’s 100^th year.  I have donated a painting titled “Sandplay” for a raffle.

"Sandplay"

The money raised will go to the Supporters of Creative Arts (OCA) that encourages and supports students interested in the creative arts.

The painting “Sandplay” is featured on post #20 on this blog site where I describe the techniques used and the meaning behind the painting.

Tanmayo reading her book "The Power of Creating"

This painting "Sandplay" is also on Page 63 of my new book “The Power of Creating” This book can be downloaded free as an eBook or purchased at cost for $75.oo. Go to http://au.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3457759 to view a sample of this book.    

This book talks about creating.  It takes you, the reader on a  

·        *      Journey through a life of creativity,

·        *      Find out how to understand abstract art, and how to

·        *      Stimulate your own creativity. 

It is for people who are creative and want to use this creativity and also for those who love art and want to understand it better.  It combines anecdotes from my life, my art and my art therapy career. The book is a 40 year retrospective of my painting.  In it I explain the difference between art and art therapy and give the reader an understanding and appreciation of abstract art.

 A lack of understanding of Abstract Art prompted me to write this book.  This lack of understanding has created a public bias that has affected the credibility of abstract art.  It is often seen by the general public as not being “good” art.  “Even a child could do better” has been heard directed at the world”s most celebrated abstract art.

When viewing Abstract Art ask yourself…

Does the artwork create a feeling – happy/sad/angry?

Does the colour/title/composition/media convey a feeling?

                      Does size matter?

            Does it make you think or question?

Do you have to interact with it in some way i.e. technology/ using lights/sound/touch?

            Does it tell a story or no story?

                        Does it convey an idea?

                        Is there more than one layer of meaning – complexity?

                        Is it ambiguous or contradictory?

                        Is it just a pretty picture empty of meaning?

                        Does having no title make a statement?

Does it deliberately break the technical rules of art?

Is it purely an exercise in art technique with no meaning?

Does the composition feel balanced/unbalanced?

Do the colours harmonize/jar?

Does your eye travel to one area or all over the painting?

            Does the price of the artwork influence your perception of it worth?

            What was your initial response?

                        Has your initial response changed after considering the above?

It’s about you too – it’s an interaction - a two way form of visual communication.

If there is one person who learns to appreciate abstract art more and enjoys it better, then I have achieved my aim.

Be creative in whatever you do.  Just be creative.

Enjoy.

Tanmayo.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #46

Title:   “Grok” 

(Acrylic)

90x90cm

THE IDEA BEHIND THE PAINTING

The word “Grok” is new.  It was invented by the author Robert Heinlein.  It means to intimately and completely share the same reality or line of thinking with another physical or conceptual entity.  According to Wikipedia grokking is the intermingling of intelligence that necessarily affects the observer and the observed.  This painting is about networks and networking and its social affects.

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

The advent of computer technology has not made the human race any happier.  In fact it seems to have restricted human qualities such as communication, relationship and love.  It is based on the binary system of mathematics, and I would predict, as humanity evolves the human brain will develop with a bias to extreme thinking – the human race will develop a “binary brain”.   All nuances in the spectrum between the two poles of any continuum will disappear leaving just the two extremes.  This will be reflected throughout all levels of life, ie. religion, wealth distribution, political ideologies etc.  It is happening now.

In this painting I used a wide variation of colour on the spectrum Blue/Orange.  There are many variation of Phthalo Blue used.  Also I used an Orange made from a blend of Fluoro Orange and Vermillion. 

I intentionally made the Orange constant and flat to contrast with the dynamics seen in the abstract subject which is the point of focus. This abstract subject is what represents the networking as per the internet.  The Orange “hybrid” colour is derived from two colour types, which gives the painting its intense impact and adds to its edginess.   Orange and Blue are complimentary opposites and are meant to have this effect.  They are extremes on a spectrum of opposites, just as Black and White are extremes.

White is used in this painting to get the Aqua but Black is not used.  Alizarin Crimson is mixed with Prussian Blue to get the Blackish colour.  

The concept of “connectivity” as implied by the title “Grok” is considered and examined throughout the process of creating this piece.

There is no right way to hang this painting.  I leave that to each individual’s taste.  The painting is technically balanced but also poses a sense of imbalance with the main subject disappearing off the canvas.  This imbalance creates tension which was my intent for this painting.  I do not feel that modern technology has created balance and harmony – in fact I feel that it has increased edginess.

The defused plane of Tan colour that obscures part of the main point of focus represent the future which is uncertain and cloudy.

There is no way a viewer could ignore this painting.  It is meant to be “in your face” through the colours used and its composition.  It is about the “Brave New World” of our future.  However I do not necessarily see the future in a pessimistic way.  Nevertheless, we all need to be consciously aware in the moment and not assign our individual responsibility to others who seek “control” of our hearts and minds through advertising and the mass media which includes the internet.  It is used as the banner for this blog.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #45

“Black Tango”

(Acrylic)  

90x74cm 

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

This painting was initially an exercise in colour and composition.  It has no personal meaning and was named after the exercise was completed.  

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

Black is a difficult colour to use as a base colour.  This prompted me to create a painting using this colour.  At the time I was not using black and white at all.  I spent a number of years just using three primary colours and mixing secondary and tertiary colours from these three. Of course I varied the blues/reds and yellows so a not to get bored.  This discipline gave me a very good knowledge of colour.  So a deviation from what I was doing presented quite a challenge.  

The composition is primarily of verticals.  These are positioned so as to achieve balance.  The tension of the lime green in the upper left is off set with the rectangles in the lower right.  There seems to be a metred rhythm to the composition also which is achieved by the placing of the abstract shapes.  

The name “Black Tango” adds intrigue to the finished exercise.  It is an evocative tilte... what do you think?
http://www.buderimartstudio.com