On the Abstract

I never used to like abstract art.

So it was a surprise to me last year when I discovered I am much more of an abstract artist than anything else. 

“Anyone can make that” is often what I would think when I saw a piece of abstract art. 

I have now seen a shift in my way of thinking. Instead of thinking “anyone can make that” in regards to the abstract — I think “anyone can make that” in regards to realism. 

Because I really do believe in the ability of copying. Given enough time and effort I do believe most artists could make a photographic painting of a landscape. 

And I believe it’s worth it to do so! Individual style and influence and interpretation are all very good reasons to create photographic like art. But this leads me back to the abstract…

“I don’t think anyone else could make that” is now what I think when I see a piece of abstract art. 

As I’ve moved forward this year in my leaning toward the abstract I have also noticed a different side of abstraction. I actually believe the abstract is much more real than we first think. 

Take these small oil pastel drawings I made of lichen for example. Alone, these pieces mean very little and have no real reason or rhyme. But place them in front of the rock and lichen they are representing and suddenly a whole new meaning is given to them. 

They mean very little out of context, but place them where they belong and they are rich with exactness, realism and continuity. 

So next time you see a piece of artwork and think “anyone could do that” remember that you are maybe not seeing it in its full context. 

And next time you see somebody and think “this person makes very little sense to me” remember that maybe you are also not seeing them in their full context.