De-constructing the Abstract Painting

Helloooo everyone so last week was all about de-constructing a painting by eliminating texture, tone, shape, colour and all the preliminary aspects in order to prepare myself for understanding; what makes a painting and what does it represent (if you cant make out the image, history, etc. ) So now I will talk through some of the paintings I saw when I visited the Walker Gallery and what peoples first reactions are when they see abstract paintings.

When you visit a gallery, you’ll see all kinds of paintings hanging on the walls.  Beautifully painted landscapes and still lives, seascapes and sky-caps, elegant floral and evocative figures, and plenty of abstracts, too.  I love the mix and I've learned over the years that the key to understanding and appreciating abstract art is to quieten our minds and let our instincts and senses do the talking.

Some of the questions and comments you get when interpreting a painting could be either of these examples:

“I don’t get this. What’s it about?”

"A five-year-old could paint this.”

“I like paintings I can understand.”

I love this dynamic abstract by Audrey Phillips. Light Vision, 38 x 43, mixed media on panel.  The palette is soothing, but the composition is energized and compelling.

Abstract art, by definition, is a painting, sculpture or installation that does not depict a person, place or thing of the natural world.  Art can be intimidating and scary and leave you feeling unsure and uneasy – all of which goes against our grain at Huff Harrington. So, here are a couple tips to make the whole process of understanding abstract art more enjoyable and rewarding.

Martina Griffin’s Lovesick Blues (36 x 30, mixed media on canvas) is all about form and palette.

I'm Nervous!  Yes…abstract art can be a little nerve-racking.   And that’s because the responsibility of understanding it falls directly to the viewer.  When this happens, the artist likes to gently lead the client into the painting with this analogy:  imagine the painting is a symphony.  Instead of closing your eyes and listening to the music, try closing your ears and just look at the painting.  Explore the painting on your own terms and come to your own conclusions.  Abstract art is all about form, line, palette and composition. And when those elements come together on a canvas, the results can be magical.

This lyrical painting by Liz Barber will effortlessly draw you in with its repetitive composition. Inspired by water? I think... Sunset Surf, 48 x 60, mixed media on canvas.

What’s the Right Answer?   There’s not a right answer and there’s not a wrong answer either – but you may have to work a little bit to figure that out.   Because there’s no familiar image to relate to while viewing an abstract painting, you really have to open your mind and re-align what you've been taught about art.  You have to let go of pre-conceived notions and let your sense take over the driving.    We’ll hear this: “Is the artist trying to convey water or a wave?  Because I'm not sure if that looks like a wave but I really like the way he/she put the paint in that one spot.”  That visitor to the gallery just got an A+ for looking at the abstract painting for what it is, not what it’s supposed to be.  It’s all about being open to interpretation.

I love the composition of Melissa Payne Baker’s Milestone I (30 x 22, mixed media on canvas) It’s also full of textural nuances and the palette is warm.

Make It Personal:  It’s best to see abstract art in person. Because there’s often not an identifiable subject in the painting, the nuances that create the painting can be lost in photography or on the internet. Because abstract art is rooted in non-tangible subjects, the technical aspects of the painting become even more important.  The use of media can add texture, depth and dimension – all of which could be lost in a photograph. 

Aaron Whitehouse painted this piece for a client. You really have to see his work in person to get the texture, depth and dimension that he incorporates. This one makes me think I'm looking through a pool of water to a bottom made of beach glass.

My Five-Year-Old….:  it takes great skill to create a meaningful abstract piece. And what may look like random squiggles on a canvas or blotchy areas of paint are actually the result of a  perfect little storm of composition, form and aesthetic.  Study an abstract that you’re drawn to for a while and all of sudden it all makes sense.