Mar9
Wordless Wednesday
Tag Archives: Abstract art
Feb9
How to Start an Abstract
I recently posted a blog on abstract painting, and I probably will continue to do this until I’m satisfied with my own abstracts. If you look at me in my studio, I’m always trying to figure out how to balance the kind of look that I really love to see, with the look of realism. There are a few things I really feel have influenced me, and one is the Impressionist movement, such as Van Gough, Monae, to name a few. I also love very abstract like Picasso, or even Motherwell. The question is, can you blend them in such a way that they are fun, and still pleasant to look at. Do they need to be pleasant? Or is it better to leave the viewer with a little uncomfortable feeling? All these things run through my mind while I’m working on what was supposed to be “Really Abstract.”
As I watch these teaching videos, it is obvious that it’s all very subjective. Some artists just love painting non-objective abstract that is busy. To them it tells a story just like this video. Jillian is very much an intuitive abstract painter. Her work is busy, colorful, and she loves it! My son Chris is the same way. His art is all intuitive and in explaining his art, it always has a story to tell. To me it becomes a sometimes a little difficult to digest and understand. Some of it I fall in love with, and some of it, well…….lets just say it’s not my favorite!
We all have our own way of expressing ourselves, and both Jillian, and Chris express in a similar way. Is it wrong? Shouldn’t we all be able to express our creativity the way we wish? Can anyone explain it’s validity besides the artist? It definitely takes a different kind of viewer to appreciate this kind of abstract art, but that doesn’t make it bad, it only makes it different as it should be. It pushes us past our comfort level, and in doing so, we just may become better at our own art. After all, if we were all alike, life would be more than boring, and who would we have conversations about. Isn’t art here to make us think, and stretch ourselves. We can’t grow as painters, or viewers if there isn’t something to learn from……
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Jan5
How to paint Van Gough Sunflowers
Happy New Year Everyone! I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday, and a safe, happy New Year Celebration.
I much appreciate being able to take a little break from blogging the month of December, and focus on family, and making Christmas perfect for our kiddos. Now I feel revitalized and ready to get back to painting, blogging, and just plain having fun!
Today I thought this video from YouTube would be a great start to the new year. Ginger Cook is doing this one, and I really like the way she takes it step by step. She describes her process in a way that beginners, and seasoned painters alike can find helpful methods for using color, texture, and dimension alike to explain her process.
It is my hope that everyone will find something they can use in this demo.
It’s good to be back, and look forward to another wonderful year of Stone Soup!
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Nov12
MIXED MEDIA
Since every Mixed Media Artist likes to incorporate “Mixed Media” into their work. I’m no different, punching my paintings with just about anything I can think of. It could be metal, threads, papers, etc.
I’ve been working on deli wrap papers to paint, stamp on, cut up, tear up, and anything else I could think of. It’s the kind of prep work that numbs your mind, but has to be done.
It isn’t finished yet, but the inspiration came from a few samples of fabric I found, and a pile of yarn.
Fabric samples
What to do with the yarn? Well I was thinking of making the yarn serve as texture….. I guess I have a problem with adding things to make texture. I will try it, but at the moment I couldn’t tell you exactly where to put it, or what painting to use it on.
Oh so much fun, but so little time!
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Nov4
Wordless Wednesday
Abstract by Karen Samenow
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Oct27
The Magic of Painting
I ran across this video, and thought it perfect for my blog. One could say it is the beginning in an abstract course. That’s true in a way, but it’s much more than that. I think abstract painting need only be as complicated as you want it to be. Most of us over think, I know that’s my problem.
For me, if you start simple, the painting will take its own turns, and twists that are never expected. That is what Rita Siemienski claims. She lets the painting take the turns it wants, and runs with it. My favorite kind of art!
I think this is a great video because it’s simple, it allows the viewer to slip into their abstract art in a much more relaxed, and stress free way. Again, that’s my kind of art!
A gentle reminder of how easy abstract can be, and how to get out of our own way!
Gentle reminders never hurt, after all isn’t that what we artists do……share energy, ideas, and helpful advise?
Old as Dirt and Proud of it! 
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