UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #61

“Nude”  (Drawing)

(Charcoal on paper) 

Size:  76x107cm

MY IDEAS AND THIS DRAWING:

Those who may think that one only paints abstractly when one has no artistic ability, are wrong.  A person adopts a certain style of expression for various reasons, a little like musicians.  One would not these days, say that people who play experimental music or electronic music or jazz do so because they are not classically trained or untalented.  There are many examples of truly great musicians who prefer to play in a certain style regardless of their early training.  Art is similar – an artist prefers a certain mode of expression because of a range of reasons. I paint abstractly because it is the best way to express (for me) the abstract subjects that I wish to address.  Things like environmental degradation, or even person emotional or spiritual state of being are sometimes difficult to convey in words - particularly if others have no experience of these states.  Abstract art permits the viewer to an insight into the painter’s experience (that is, if they take the time to experience the viewing as a shared interaction).  Too often viewers’ (and also judges of art competitions) spend too little time considering the content of an art work.  These days art judging for competition is done by viewing the digital photographs of the paintings.  This is not right and sadly reflects the commercial emphasis that governs every aspect of our lives at this period of time.  There is no way that a judge can make decisions on paintings of varying sizes when every digital image is the same size.  This is not judging the paintings but rather judging digital images that include a process of photography and other digital enhancements.  Nevertheless this is the way it is, and as a result, like everything else, sensitivity is diminished and often times, paintings that are representative of something are selected because they are seen by the public as being “good” art..

Another thing that I think judges of art competitions should be asked to do, is to write a couple of paragraphs on why they consider a painting worthy of the prize.  This then would help educate the public in just what criteria in their opinion, make “good” paintings.  Given the amount of money offered as prizes these days, I think that this should not be a subjective matter but should be justified and that everyone should know the basis for that decision.

Drawing Techniques :

This drawing was done at a life drawing session.  It is of no one in particular but is just an exercise in drawing.   I find that my drawing is much freer if I use the method of contour drawing.  This is when one looks at the subject (the person) and allow your hand to draw what your eyes are seeing when they travel along the contour of the shape.  Your eyes stay on the subject while you draw.  This sounds hard but it really is not so difficult as your mind knows what to do.

Life drawing is certainly enhanced by practice – something I have not had in years.

I personally prefer not to portray the whole body – this could be because I do not want to get into the laboured exercise of depicting something in detail.  Therefore in this drawing the head and feet are left out.

I included this drawing in my blog of Understanding Abstract Art because people may be tempted to think that I can’t draw which is not the case.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #60

“Quantum Sufficit”

First Prize in the Clairvaux Collage Art Prize

In the AMP Collection

(Acrylic) 

Size:  98x1.08cm

THE IDEA BEHIND THE PAINTING:

This painting won first prize in the Clairvaux Collage Art Prize.  It then became part of the AMP Collection when it was purchased to hang in the AMP Boardroom at Waterfront Place, Brisbane.

The meaning of “Quantum Sufficit” is “as much as is necessary”.  Most of my abstract paintings are pared down to the minimum.  I generally start with much more detail but by the time I have eliminated that which is not necessary it is reduced to its minimum.  So I suppose this painting represents the essence of what I am trying to do with my art  – to make it as simple as possible – a bit like Scandinavian design.

Art Techniques used to achieve this:

This painting could be hung any way because of its balanced composition.  However for the purpose of this blog I will discuss it in the horizontal which is shown here. 

I do not sign my abstract paintings on the front of the canvas because I prefer to leave it optional as to which way the owner prefers it to be hung.

The colour Red is a dominant colour and usually gives the feeling of energy.  Recently someone who was looking at a “red” painting of mine, thought that I was feeling angry when I painted it.  The viewer can not presume that the colour of a painting symbolizes the emotional state of the artist.  Colours mean different feelings to different people and the viewer may be projecting their own emotional state onto the artwork.  The title may give some indication as to the meaning of an abstract painting but generally it is better to ask the artist.  Some artists however, do not like to give an explanation of their art.  Nevertheless it is good to keep in mind that when you view an artwork, that you are aware that it’s a “two way communication” and that you “own” your emotional state of being as part of your perception.

It was intended that this painting although predominately Red, portrays a calm feeling.  This is conveyed through the horizontal emphasis in the composition.  Horizontal lines have a calming influence on our psyche probably because of its association with nature and the horizon.  A diagonal emphasis would give the viewer a more unsettled feeling.  Vertical would be more energetic but less unsettling.

This artwork is not meant to represent anything in particular however it is possible that people try to interpret it as being a landscape – this is not the case.  It is purely abstract and was originally done as a colour and composition exercise.  It has no emotional content and is purely a cognitive exercise in painting.  This is not always the case with many of my paintings however, as my readers would know.  

http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #59

“Boardwalk – Maroochy Wetlands” 

(Acrylic) 

Size: 51x76 cm

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

This painting was inspired by a walk along the boardwalk through the Maroochy Wetlands at Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast.  It alludes to the life force and the inner core of the wetlands where the mysteries of time are concealed.  It brings into focus things that should be treasured and preserved.

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

Abstract art is a wonderful vehicle for expressing the subjective feelings of the painter which then might be visually and viscerally conveyed to the viewer if they are open and receptive.

These wetlands have been neigh on impregnable to the general population (the public) until recently when the Sunshine Coast Regional Council built a boardwalk through them.  They are ever changing from season to season and particularly from wet to dry.

The painting’s dark background (which is not Black) alludes to the mystery of this private natural space.  The wetlands are in actuality the nursery and birthing areas for numerous wild creatures and if one is sensitive to the surroundings you will get a feeling of this seclusion.

The structure of the boardwalk is depicted on canvas by the horizontal band of orange.  I have given the colour a patina to convey an organic feel to the structure because although the boardwalk is new and well maintained, it is also made of timber and is subject to natural weathering.

There is a biological mystery to all wetlands.  They team with life though the public walking along the boardwalk will be hard pressed to see any of it.  The vertical straight lines of the boardwalk are contrasted by the irregular shapes that pulsate and emerge from the darkness of the background.  These shapes represent the life that resides within this region.

The warm colours against the dark background create drama also represent the life force.  A cooler green is central to the whole composition, adds contrast and balance.  This suggests the watery world of the wetlands.

I hope you can appreciate this painting more after it being explained.  It’s a complex painting about a deceptively complex environment which should be treated with differential respect.

http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #58

“Oriental Inspiration” SATSANG SERIES

Acrylic on handmade paper

70x104cm  (unframed)

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

I have been to India on three occasions and stayed in an ashram for one year on one of those visits.  It was during that year that I started the Satsang Series.  “Satsang” is a Sanskrit word.  Sanskrit is the ancient classical language of India.  Satsang is to do with the spiritual search for Enlightenment and loosely means “meeting in Truth”.  This painting is therefore a meditation and is meant to convey that state to the viewer.  Abstract art is an ideal medium to express such an abstract concept.  Meditation (for both Buddhist and Hindus) is achieved by sitting quietly and observing one’s thoughts moving in and out of consciousness without judgement – thus one is in Awareness in the Now.

Artistic techniques used in this painting:

Why do I consider this to be a “good” painting?  It has a spontaneous element to it which suggests that the painting was created in the moment.  This approach to painting is not unlike the Zen use of calligraphy to express a similar practice.  The fact that it looks spontaneous and maybe has been done spontaneously does not take way for the “value” of the action.  Sometimes things that look easy are oft times made to look that way because the practitioner has done the task over and over again.  Take ballet dancing as a case in point.  I believe that only through art(s) can the truth of a non-shared experience be transmitted.

Red and Green are complimentary colours.  They also can be considered opposites.  The Yellow represents the “nugget of gold” one finds when one observes one’s thoughts.  They float in a sea of Green with splashes of Red punctuating the tranquillity. 

The composition is balance which adds to the tranquil feeling it conveys.  Its simplicity also contributes to the essential meditative nature of the painting.  Do you think it achieves this?  Have I been successful in conveying an abstract concept to you, the viewer?

 http://www.buderimartstudio.com