Acrylic Experimenting - Purple & Blue Blooms

 Acrylic Experimenting - Purple & Blue Blooms

(Originally posted on my first blog in March 2019) 

This weekend I took some time to experiment with acrylic, not a medium I work in very often but I do enjoy practicing. 

The top piece was my favourite, I began with the central blooms but then repeated the design around the outside. I really love the composition of this and I will be working with this style going forward to refine it and see what I can create. 

The above piece I started with a very abstract background that had swirls of purple and blue. This the lead to swirl blooms and so I added leaves and buds. I don't think this piece is quite finished yet as i need to add another layer to the blooms. 

This piece began again with an abstract background, I then added leaves to the bottom corner which lead on to deeper purple blooms.

I enjoyed the process of working on these small canvases. Working with acrylic is very different to Watercolor in that each layer takes much longer to dry so I tend to have lots of different pieces on the go at once.

Abstract - What do you see when you look at this piece?

 

What do you see when you look at this abstract? 

Do you see bubbles, balloons, purple trees from above? 

Do you feel emotions rather than 'see' something, does it make you feel calm, confused, angry, happy, sad? 

Does it ask you a question, does is answer your question? 

Do you feel like each mark was made with purpose and meaning or do you think that these marks are a series of 'mistakes' that form to create an image of no real worth? 

Abstract art evokes different feelings in different people. Some people love it and some people hate it. I have always been fascinated by the affect of abstract art on its viewers. 

If you look at clothes and home interior designs over the recent years vibrant abstract designs have become something of a trend. I've noticed bold and bright abstract patterns on leggings, joggers, T-shirts and hoodies. Cushions, sofas and blankets. I wonder if the use of these abstract designs has effected the way that viewers view abstract art? Has it made abstract more relatable? More accessible? or has it had no effect at all. 

Is Abstract really art?

 Is Abstract really art? : Abstract Florals class in Seaton's Botanical Studio (September 2018) 

Working in abstract form is something not everyone finds easy, sounds strange right? Surely abstract is the easiest form of painting...

Abstract art is very much subjective, in it we all see different things, we all have differing opinions. Some do not understand or enjoy abstract art yet still they find the idea of it intriguing. How is it that certain abstract pieces are able to hang in galleries alongside pieces so finely detailed and true to form?

According to one theorist: 
Abstract art is "significant" in several ways. First of all, it is important to remember that art always reflects culture. Therefore, abstract art is important because it is reflecting a culture that has been moving - for about 2000 years - on an arc of rationalism in order to develop a mature science.

I studied abstract art during my degree; Kandinsky, Kline, Pollack & others. I will admit at first I didnt understand how their works could be compared in any way to Da Vinci and other artists who work in very detailed forms. Then I realised that it isn't about comparing them (though they made me do a lot of that!). It is about appreciating each one individually for its impact in the arts. Understanding that we need to look at art as we do humans...if all were the same the world would be a very boring place. Let's appreciate the differences, even those we don't ourselves understand.

Teaching my abstract florals classes has been really interesting as I've met many different people with different views and experiences of abstract art. Some really struggled to let go and allow the colours to find their own way, they felt as though they needed to create a piece that all would see as a specific flower whilst some were happy to let go and see where the mediums in use would take them.

I found by having a theme of florals and floral inspiration on hand it really helped to open up the minds of participants. It took away the fear of a completely abstract form and gave a hint of suggestion which those new to the art found helpful.

To begin my classes I start by introducing a selection of techniques using the mediums in the class, In recent abstract floral classes I have been showcasing Watercolour Pens & infusion Powders. Both fantastic mediums with many different uses so they work really well in abstract classes. 

Feedback so far has been fantastic, come the end of the class participants have realised just how much fun there is to be had working in abstract & go away with an open mind confident in their ability to work in an abstract form. 

Written September 2018