Thoughts On Abstract Art

Strictly speaking, the word abstract means to separate or withdraw something from something else.

Abbie,

Yes, abstraction from.

This has some import though, once we develop abstraction we can get more creative with it.

Dave Bridburg
Bridburg.com
Post Modern Gallery

Thank you Terrence and Roger -- for your definitions

The reason an abstract would suck depends on the rational or lack of rational for the artwork.

The rational can be communicated by word or be inherent in the work.

Dave Bridburg
Bridburg.com
Post Modern Gallery

DB's definition is the one I adhere to. All visual art is abstract, it's just a matter of degree. For art without a subject I prefer the term "non-objective".

My first introduction to abstract art was at 8-9 yrs of age. My parents bought a Dave Brubeck album, which I drove them nuts because its all I would listen to as I studied the album cover. I've played with abstracts all my life and was informed very early on that people either like it or don't. So I just concentrate on my art as "take it or leave it". I seem to think my art is at times too outside of the box..... however it didn't stop me from creating what I enjoyed doing. Abstract to me is interpretation.

S. Neil Fujita did the cover album.
There are so many excellent artists here......

I didn't really come to appreciate abstract art, until I traveled to New York City and was able to see Jackson Pollock's work in person. Seeing it in books just doesn't translate.
For me, composition is the key to good abstract art, but I guess I could apply that statement toward any art and photography in general. I had great fun, and developed a deeper appreciation when I did a Jackson Pollock tribute piece. ( https://fineartamerica.com/featured/tribute-to-jackson-pollock-robert-yaeger.html ) I personally like images to say something, speak to the viewer, make them feel something. Studying Picasso and cubism opened my eye to seeing things differently. Those are two of my favorites.

Hi,

So far I LOVE this discussion - all of your answers/opinions about abstract art. I did not know that Jackson Pollock didn't prep is canvases; you would think he knew that. I watched a movie about his life (very interesting). I believe one has to have a creative imagination and love doing abstract art. For me, it is very relaxing. I love putting colors together and the mistakes that sometimes turn out better.

I am happy with everyone's opinions and learning more about abstract art - definitions and feelings about it. It is good for everyone to learn. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. My best friend hates abstract art. She won't even look at mine and I dare give her a picture. Both of my sisters don't like it either. My daughter likes it.

I do believe in the right-brain theory about being artistic and left-brained people being focused on numbers/math; I never liked math. There are probably others who are flexible and good at both.

I received a lot of information on others thoughts about abstract art. I love to hear others opinions. I also like being critiqued and do not feel offended.

Thanks to all opinions received so far - hope more people can contribute.

I hope more artists join in this discussion - we can all learn more...

David M. I love your thoughts on abstract art.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE RIGHT-BRAIN THEORY? I think too that some may be more right-brained. DOES ANYONE DREAM IN COLOR? I dream every night in color and my dreams are very complex. My husband dreams very little in black & white and then usually cannot remember his dream. My mom is like me. My sister got her a dream book to write in. It is funny because after my mom writes down her dream, my dad reads it back to her in a dramatic way, and they both laugh. My dad also dreams in black and white (he is also colorblind).

J.R. Seymour - you were very young to be aware of abstract art. I will have to look up the cover album.

DK Digital - I agree with DB's definition of abstract - separate and withdraw from something else. I also agree that there are so many forms of art. If you are drawn to it and it makes you feel good, it can come in many forms.

This discussion is interesting and gives lots of opinions and information - such as Jackson Pollock's "Lavender Mist", that I want to look up.

I was thinking about another kind of abstract art, where people have animals paint (like monkeys). I do not consider that abstract art - it may look abstract, but no creative thought was put into it.

Val - I do not like disturbing abstract art either.

***If possible, it would be interesting to see an example of everyone's art in this discussion. I see some art and I like the styles.

IF YOU ADD AN ART PIECE, CAN YOU GIVE YOUR INTERPRETATION - LIKE WHAT IT REMINDS YOU OF, HOW YOU FELT WHILE CREATING, AND IF IT TURNED OUT THE WAY YOU EXPECTED. ALSO, IF YOU ARE SELLING OR ARE BEGINNING OR A LATE BLOOMER. DOES ABSTRACT ART RELAX YOU? FAMOUS ABSTRACT ARTISTS YOU LIKE.

Thank you, Jean Merrill

https://bridburg.com/featured/recent-35-david-bridburg.html

Links would keep this easy for the Mod. Since it is not an image thread.

This began as an experiment in color. Post Modern Art theory does not have a color theory. I made up my own theories work to work.

As a form came out of it, I went with the form.

The color is meant to be very bright and rich. Note where the crown of thorns would be is darker in tone. The objective was to layer without using the same color twice. Also the layers build the space backwards into the foreground. Usually layers in an image work to deepen the field of view.

The orange red negative space is an experiment as well. It is a statement in modernity.

Dave

Very nice David, I like the beautiful colors you use.

Abstract to me is what other viewers see in it and can be viewed for long time to come, (Imagination) Most of my sales are Abstract!

Hi All! Thanks for sharing your abstract thoughts!

Hi Kathleen: Colors play a big part! Some black & white abstracts can be good too. I love abstract art too.

Hi Tara: You sound like me about the chords. The guitar sounds cool. You must be able to play by ear.

Hi David: You do beautiful abstracts! I will have to check out more of your artwork.

Hi John: I love your abstract! The moving lines look like jazz.

Hi Linda: I agree with you about what others see. Everyone has their own unique thoughts about what they are looking at. You must be good at abstract for most of your sales to be sold! Do you your originals?

I recently got experimental and made a small series of abstract tree paintings using some materials I'd never used before, or at least not in this way. I guess you could call these objective abstracts but they are pretty out there.

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/43-david-king?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=988735

David, I checked out your paintings, I think they are very nice, I especially like the middle one. You do good work.

David K, very nice! Have you checked out Mondrian’s trees? They are interesting in that they show a progression towards more and more abstract right down to squares and lines.

Thanks Tara. Ronald, I didn't know Mondrian painted trees, I'll have to look them up.

Hi Fellow Abstractions! I'm back - sorry gone so long! Some personal things going on - not me but family. My sister has breast cancer and was in the hospital a week. My daughter had COVID. I don't like to complain. Hard to get on the site when busy. I miss coming on. Hope everyone is doing well and had a nice Easter!

I'm looking at the last discussion input.

David King - you are so inventive and artistic with your ideas - always love your work!! I have to look up your abstract trees!

Ronald Walker - I don't know what Mondrian painted trees are either; I will look that up also.

I was thinking it would be interesting to look at 1 artwork from 3 people, who you are not familiar with in our discussion and comment on their art. You can pick out one that catches your eye. If you are busy, you could look at one or whatever you want. I haven't counted how many artists have discussed on our site. I will look too and comment. When I come on our discussion group, I check our what everyone says. I add to the discussion by answering or giving an opinion on what another artist added.

Thanks and hope to hear from you Jean Merrill
p.s. If anyone can think of an interesting subject to discuss, bring it up!

Hey Jean!
Food for thought. The concept of life itself is an abstract construct whereas existence in our minds of thought itself confirms each individuals awareness. Are our artistic thoughts living thoughts and are we the thoughts within a Living Mind?

I have made lots of abstract art but have yet to sell any. Today marks 9 years with FAA and hundreds of sales, but no abstracts. I keep making them because I love them - especially symmetrical ones. But it does seem strange that of 474 images that are abstract or surreal on my site (https://pixels.com/profiles/john-haldane?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=425975), none has sold.

One of my latest (today, in fact):

That's a cool image John!

I'm no expert on anything when it comes to FAA( I am new) but I do a lot of kaleidoscopes and Mandala imagery.
When I looked at your tags I was looking for something very particular. Kaleidoscope, or Mandala .. I did not say that. I think that's what folks would be looking for.

Although it is not circular it looks like it could have been a Mandala cropped.

As for the discussion on abstract art, I think it is really personal, there are things that I love, just because the decorative qualities of them really excites me, and then there are other things that I look at that are more abstract and emotional and sometimes I find them hard to look at or deeply disturbing.

I do believe in general it is a harder sell to the consumers for products, unless you hit on something that works.

It appears that a lot of the successful wall art abstract art is very simplistic. I have been trying to get simpler with my abstract but I still find that to be a challenge.

I am curious how well the category does Huron FAA. Some people are just looking for something nondescript and colorful.

"Seeing Leaves Through The Water"

I chose to transform several photographs into a wildly colorful abstract presentation. In 11 years here... I've sold just a handful of abstracts. Like John though... I love to create them.

.

Images can have more than one interpretation. Do you see a piping schematic, a garden plan, or a sunbather?

L A Feldstein, that is a very kewl painting!

L A, HERE'S MY POST TO YOU ON THAT FAB PAINTING.........IT HAS SO MANY CONNOTATIONS, AND THIS
WAS MY 1st IMPRESSION: "Wonderful, so YOU, your idiom, and rich with double entendre, and gorgeous palette......like 'walking' the line, the boundaries of village life among one's neighbours........Fine Art, L A , kudos, f.v........VIVA

i LOVE doing abstract art!!! Love others' abstract art........

BILL : KUDOS ! WOW , and I'll go see the others too, am so glad for this direction you've got into, been going there a v.long time , glad you're happy, too!

L.A. - The ultimate Rube Goldberg machine? You do very fascinating stuff, I like it.

Thank you Drew, VIVA and David. The inner workings of a reel to reel tape deck. I've since divided the photo into quarters and will see where I am led.

VIVA thank you.

that recognition is very much appreciated

Hi Drew! This is a VERY deep thought! I had to read this over a few times. It is a very interesting thought/question. Is this from you or did you find this somewhere?
These thoughts/question will get different answers on how we each perceive the thoughts/question below:

The concept of life itself is an abstract construct, whereas existence in our minds of thought itself confirms each individuals awareness. Are our artistic thoughts living thoughts and are we the thoughts within a Living Mind?

My answer is YES.

We all have unique (abstract) thoughts about life itself in our "living minds" (which would be in our brain). If we were to discuss the concept of life itself (an abstract construct) with another person, there will never be a perfect match of a thought. Our thoughts can be described as abstract construct, because thoughts are infinite, due to so many people - those who have passed away and left their thoughts, those here and now, and those coming into life.

The existence in our minds of thought itself, plus added life experiences, can be compared to creating abstract art; any art will never be the same as another artist.

Our artistic living thoughts may be similar to other people (closer or further apart), but are still our own, also concerning our awareness of what we know or observe. There are so many variables in every mind, makeup, and life experiences. We all have unique individual life experiences that form how we think, which would confirm our own awareness. Our artistic thoughts are our living thoughts; due to this, these do exist in our living mind.

Our artistic thoughts would then be our "living thoughts" and we are the thoughts of our living mind - all of us, in our own uniqueness.

This would be my own thought /perception concerning your questions! Maybe I went on too much and there will be others who don't agree with me or may somewhat agree!

This made me think about those who have a natural gift of art that comes very easy to them. Also like people who can sit at a piano and play anything without notes or ever learning how to play the piano. There is an excellent documentary about this. These people have a unique brain. A Psychiatrist, Dr. Treffert, who has now passed, lived in my town of Fond du Lac, WI. He started up a learning center in Fond du Lac for autistic children. He has written books about the subject.

By watching the documentary, it shows people who are actually genius, but may lack social skills. There is an artist who took a ride in a helicopter in, I believe, France or Italy. He was then put in an empty square room and drew what he saw looking down from the helicopter. The whole scene was drawn on the walls exactly in perfect dimensions.

There is also a man named "Leslie" who is blind and can play any song perfectly on the piano. He toured the world playing the piano. He lives in Wisconsin. Now, he does not want to perform anymore. My sister met him, because he lives in a neighborhood in Milwaukee, WI; he is friends with my sister's boyfriend's mom. He is quiet and withdrawn. Everyone should watch this.

There is also a documentary about twin women who know so much about facts. They answer questions the same and have the same interests. Dr. Treffert is in this documentary; it is so interesting, because these twin women are obsessed with Dick Clark! I will look up the sites and put them in my next reply.

Also, thank you everyone for keeping up our interesting discussions. I believe we have unique special minds and that is why we love art. We are blessed!

If anyone else wants to comment on Drew's discussion/question above - please do. It will be interesting to get more thoughts on this!

I still have to read the rest of our new discussion!!!!

Jean Merrill

I always knew about Dr. Treffert, Psychiatrist, because I worked at the hospital in our town for 23 years. When my daughter was in her late 20s, she become very ill with bipolar I disorder. At that time, she was living in Florida with her husband and 3 children. She needed to come to Fond du Lac, WI to stay with my husband and I. My husband immediately flew to Florida to pick her up. We needed to get immediate help for her. There were no Psychiatrists that would see her, because she was not established and from a different state. I spoke with Dr. Treffert about this. He got my daughter in to see a Psychiatrist - this was a blessing! She was then set up at a mental health center in our town to be evaluated and begin medications.

I will never forget his kindness.

1. This is how to get to the "Rain Man Twins" documentary: https://youtu.be/0yetxU1Ji4I

2. Billions of Windows - Stephen Wiltshire: https://youtu.be/TO0GokjEri8


Dr. Treffert is also on Wikipedia.

If you watch both or one of these documentaries, it would be interesting to discuss!!

Jean Merrill

At the beginning of this discussion there was some talk about whether abstracts sell. Well, I just sold all four paintings in my "Rust" series to one person, (originals not prints) on ebay. If I can sell abstracts anybody can. lol

David - Congratulations on your big sale! You are right about originals. I liked your “Rust Collection”

L A - The only thing I can’t see in your art is the sunbather!

Glen - Love your abstract “Seeing Leaves Through Water”. So many colors and put together nicely.

Sue - I agree that you have to hit someone with your art. It’s funny how artists become popular with one painting and all the others they do become popular.

John H. - I looked at your abstracts and liked Repeating Abstract Pattern. All of your artwork is so beautiful. I think once you sell an abstract, it will catch on. Don’t feel bad, I’ve sold nothing.

David M. Like “The Conductor” - Everything in the picture blends together well.

Sue Z. Love all of your coffee paintings - I love coffee too!

L A Feldstein - love your watercolor picture of the 2 white elephants!

"Hi Drew! This is a VERY deep thought! I had to read this over a few times. It is a very interesting thought/question. Is this from you or did you find this somewhere?"



Thank you Jean! While I can claim that the words and phraseology come from me, the idea is a conflation primarily from the following treatises:

Meditations on First Philosophy by René Descartes

Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard.

While working with mathematical proofs, and both working with and teaching fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence these treatises seem to suggest our existence is made up of information governed by A High Power that we cannot name. For we have no frame of reference because we are subject to a construct beyond our understanding. To name such A Power would imply understanding therefore acceptance such A Power exists and acceptance we are subject to rules of the construct we are confined is all we really need to do.

To simplify, submission to A Power that we cannot name is all we need to do. It is useless to do otherwise.

As René Descartes summized, I think therefore I exist. Everything else can be but an illusion.

I have been getting drawn further and further into abstract painting. There is something freeing about it and is not constrained by what I see as much as what I feel. To me that really is the key to abstract art... Feeling.

Personally, I find the best abstract work to be somewhat conceived and pondered a bit and not just gone at willy-nilly. That isn't to say all steps are planned out etc, but more going into the piece with a bit of an idea or inspiration to jump off from. If I am inspired by the morning light coming through the aspen trees reflecting off the snow in the forest behind my house, I will use that and try and paint the emotion it invokes in me using the colours I see rather than the scene, and from there I will just carry on until I feel I have satisfied myself creatively.

That isn't to say something completely random and spontaneous cannot be aesthetically pleasing of course, but I really get off on that moment when someone is looking at something I have created, that maybe to most people they have no idea it represents anything, and with no insight from me they see and feel even a little bit of what I was feeling when I created it and they can articulate it to me.

I could never sell a painting for as long as I live so long as I can get moments like that, and it will keep me painting forever.