New Painting with Requested Demo

[byroncallas]

Thanks Oriane for recognizing there IS a method (sometimes). I don't know if it's sophisticated, but I'll lay claim that it is methodical (usually).

[Caesar]

You're a genius, dear Byron! A most stimulating tutorial.
A fantastic procedure made of simple, retainable and easy steps driven by a quite clear idea on what how You wish to drive the observer to enter and explore the image!

[byroncallas]

Caesar, you're a prince of praise - and your words are much appreciated. Thanks dear friend.

[Lima]

Some words, Pete's words:

" ‘Art for art’s sake’ is a phrase that we have heard, but what does it mean? Pure form, with or without color? It serves the purpose of allowing the artist to express what is in his heart, mind and soul without beautifying a space or connecting to other images and memories. Abstract art is beyond teaching a moral lesson; it simply exists. This is abstract painting explained.

The result of the abstract painting may or may not be pretty and it may or may not reach the viewer by suggesting connections to other times and places. It will, however, stand alone as the artist’s vision and is complete in itself. Nothing can be added or take away or the piece will collapse in view of its integrity. It would then be less than perfect. Abstract art satisfies the artist and by extension, ourselves, on a visceral level. It may appear to be random strokes on a canvas, but it is not. Each stroke adorns the painting in a progressively cohesive fashion, ending in the viewer’s statement of, “I like this piece!”

And what do you do when you like something? You want it for yourself. You desire to hang the painting in your home, your office, your summer residence. You want it for others, and you give it as a gift for that special occasion to a significant other, friend or colleague. But if you’re unfamiliar with the terms of abstract art, you want to brush up on your knowledge of the subject. More than in any other artform, abstract art is about subjective, nonverbal expression, and from this definition it follows that abstract art is very personal. How do we define something so subject to individual interpretation? Perhaps the simplest way to start is by stating what it is not.


Abstract art cannot be random; in other words, shapes and splatters that lack intention or mindlessly repeated patterns do not constitute art. Abstract art must convey intention in ways outside the conventional means of line and perspective. Painting like this is difficult, as any artist can tell you, but when he is successful in creating that perfect piece, a new language of color and form will have come into being. And likewise, as any artist can tell you, the viewer may sense this new language but not perfectly define it verbally. It takes practice to speak in the language of art!"


The power of abstraction
There are other explanations of what abstract artists set out to do, indeed every artist may have a different explanation. This is from abstract painter Harley Hahn:
With the coming of abstraction, artists had, for the first time, a powerful tool that would allow them to bypass literal perception and reach into this otherwise impenetrable world of unconscious emotion. This was possible because, the more abstract a work of art, the less preconceptions it evokes in the mind of the beholder. Kandinsky's work is striking in its ability to bypass our consciousness and stir our inner feelings.
One of the purposes of art is to allow us indirect access to our inner psyche. Great art affords a way to get in touch with the unconscious part of our existence, even if we don't realize what we are doing. In this sense, the role of the artist is to create something that, when viewed by an observer, evokes unconscious feelings and emotions.
The reason abstract art has the potential to be so powerful is that it keeps the conscious distractions to a minimum. When you look at, say, the apples and pears of Cézanne, your mental energy mostly goes to processing the images: the fruit, the plate, the table, and the background. However, when you look at "Lavender Mist", you are not distracted by meaningful images, so virtually all of your brain power is devoted to feeling. You can open yourself, let in the energy and spirit of the painting, and allow it to dance with your psyche.

Byron, your art is fantastic.

[byroncallas]

Oriane, these are powerful and beautiful statements that certainly evoke my perspectives when we dig into this rather complicated and sometimes controversial topic. I suppose it suffices that I chime in with an enthusiastic, "On the whole, I'm aligned." I won't elaborate not knowing how to say it any better than the writers you have quoted. Where did you find these quotes? I'd love to read the source material.

And thank you for your continuing support and ever kind words. You know I share the same thoughts and feelings about both you and your art. You are a dear friend, outstanding artist, and one heck of a fine human being. Thanks for always rising to the occasion, always constructive exchanges, and your enormous contributions to this forum - and to me.

[byroncallas]

I remember this was fun to do.