UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #73

“A Mortal Flower” 

(Oil, Pastel & Fibreglass Resin)

Size:  100x77cm

THE IDEA  and TECHNIQUES BEHIND THE PAINTING:

This painting “A Mortal Flower” typifies a style I experimented with but due to health concerns I decided not to continue this approach.  The painting is oil on a plywood board.  The oil paint was applied and then turpentine was sprinkled onto it causing it to run and separate.  I then drew the face using pastels.  There was no likeness to anyone in particular.  I applied fibreglass resin over the whole painting.  However due to the combustible nature of the resin and also the fumes, I decided to discontinue this style even though it was popular.  Also after doing one or two paintings using this technique, I became bored with the process.  This painting has no real meaning.  Also there is not much technique involved and the faces become repetitive.  I prefer to paint something that offers a challenge or says something of meaning, regardless of whether it is popular or not.  I only painted two of this type – the other being “Soft Glances” which is reviewed in Post #55.

I wonder just how you feel about this painting?

I urge painters to experiment with as many different types of media as possible and by so doing, one learns how to achieve specific affects when they are required.  A painter learns only by experience and not by reading about it.  Painting is a very hands on discipline.

So, what is art?  In my opinion true art should say something just like literature.  However, many of the general public tend to look at art from a purely decorative point of view.  If it looks pretty or is a nice scene then its “good” art.  I suppose all are true - it really depends on the viewer.  Just like a conversation, there is the speaker and the listener.  What the speaker is trying to say has to be interpreted by the listener – the listener has to be receptive for the information to be heard.  With art this also applies but so often the viewer does not reflect or the time to contemplation.  They just look, make a quick judgement and move on.  This says something about the modern human – are we becoming self absorbed and insensitive perhaps?  Are our eyes closed to subtleties?   Don’t we have the time?  Every action or re-action says something.  It’s all art – the art of living.  It’s about being conscious in the Now.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #31

“Its about Oil…its about Water” 

(Mixed media and bitumen on ply board)  

Size:  90x90cm

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

Many of my paintings are conceptual which means that they are about ideas and not just decorative works.  I did this painting in response to the degradation of our environment by multinational companies and some governments that indiscriminately and blatantly plunder our Earth’s resources.

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

The painting is almost monochromatic in that the blues blend from one to the other. 

The square support is ply board which has been primed with gap-filler to achieve the textured surface.  The collage in the centre re-states and  emphasizes the square shape of the painting.  I dribbled bitumen onto plastic and when dry then removed the plastic.  The dry bitumen shape was then adhered to the collage to represent oil. 

The dribble in the upper border is the only part where Orange (the complimentary opposite to Blue) is used to subtly draw attention to it. 

In this painting, less says more.  What do you think?  Does it achieve its aim?

The beauty of our environment is being allowed to slip away.  Beauty is nourishment for the soul.  This degradation of our environment has been demonstrated this week at a local level.  The beautiful natural forest in the centre of Buderim Village that I wrote about in posts #21/22/23 was destroyed this week - cut down by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. 

 

In its place will be a steel and timber viewing platform overlooking the back of a shopping centre.  My paintings are often about the environment... it is my way of saying that we have to be aware of what we are losing before it’s too late.  

http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #25

“Female”   (Clay)  Size:  60cm high

ABOUT THIS ARTWORK

Art as in painting is what I have been doing for as long as I can remember.  However it is not unusual for an artist to try their hand at other art forms.  I would not call myself a sculptor, but have from time to time had a foray into that field.  The above piece was done under the instruction of a master sculptor Janna Paneijer.  I created a maquette in clay about the size of my hand.  It was from that small piece that I fashioned this piece.  I would not have been able to achieve these proportions in clay without the guidance I received from Janna.  It stands 60cm high and took 4 bags of clay.

The British artist, critic, writer and broadcaster Mathew Collings has explored the concept of beauty in art.  He presents 10 characteristics which he says define beauty in art.  They are briefly listed here:

Nature – A visual essence that humans of all races are hardwired to respond;

Simplicity  - Symmetrical elegance of visual communication;

Unity  -  The parts all fit together and become one thing;

Transformation -.Imbues an idea into a powerful symbolic form;

The Surroundings of an artwork create atmosphere which contributes to the beauty of the art piece;

Animation is a power or liveliness that is contained within the artwork;

Surprise  to see the known so it can be re-seen;

Pattern Organizing visual experience so it gives pleasure to the eye;

Selection  - not random but finding relationship that creates tension and freshness;

Spontaneity – Improvisation makes up the personality of the artwork.

In Collings’s video on “What is Beauty” these 10 principles are applied individually to 10 different works of art.  The 10 principles are not needed to be collectively in each individual artwork.

It is interesting to consider them when looking at abstract art because they do apply cross culturally and abstract art is a non-verbal language that is understood conceptually.

Artistic techniques used in the sculpture:

My paintings all favor a characteristic flatness and abstraction.  I can paint a realistic portrait but generally my paintings are distinct for their abstractness and flat planes of rich colour.  I feel that this “signature” is carried over to my sculpture also.  The above piece is titled “Female” and encapsulates the essence of the feminine.  The form is abstract but undeniably symbolizes the female.  Its simplicity and abstraction adds to its strength and elegance.  It is symmetrical in shape and I think… beautiful.

What do you think?

http://www.buderimartstudio.com