Abstract Explorations

For a long time, I have thought about and loosely played about with abstract painting. I think most artists explore this side of themselves at some point.

Abstract painting is a form of art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of visual reality. Instead, it focuses on the expressive and emotional qualities of colour, line, and form. By distorting or simplifying the subject matter, abstract artists aim to convey their own unique vision and create a visual language that goes beyond the literal.

We tend to allow reality to dominate our perception and abstract art frees us from this constraint. For myself, it has been a very interesting process. It feels like I have exercised another part of my brain, and like most exercise, it reveals another dimension to experience.

You can find this original painting, "The Sound of the Undergrowth" here.

My passion has always been colour and I gave myself only one parameter: to explore relationships with colour. The marking of the canvas was largely spontaneous, and a real test of the mixed media process. I pushed the colour primarily with acrylic paint, to seize that energy.

My painting "The Garden of Eden" is also available as a fine art print here. The original can be seen here.

It’s so interesting how we see things, the contexts that our brains automatically apply. Whether its shape, colour, line or even cultural differences there are myriad reasons that define what we like to see. Once you peel away the likeness or representation of an image, what you are left with is the emotional response and ultimately that is the message of the painter. That message will be interpreted differently by everyone.

How incredible is that?

It is said that viewing abstract art triggers new emotional and cognitive associations. As the creator of the work, it does seem to have activated something new in my brain. While it was stressful to think about whether it was right for me, the freedom to express this other part of me has been overwhelmingly positive.

As an artist, my own work is a constant evolution. I am always striving to improve. One of the biggest changes I made, was just over a year ago, when I moved primarily into oil paints. Frankly it has been a frustrating but ultimately extremely rewarding process. My confidence has grown and has, I suppose, triggered this desire to delve into more non-representative imagery and to have more fun with acrylics again.

I hope you enjoy my detour from my more traditional style. Both of these are on view in my Gorey Gallery. Let me know what you think.