A lifelong friend (we went to kindergarten together) recently asked what I think when I am creating abstract paintings. I hastily answered, but now believe I need to elaborate further. There is no easy answer. Not only do everyday activites affect the outcome of my art, but changing emotions also affect it. With affectations or distractions, I usually start with an idea - I am often awakened around 3:30 or 4:00 am with ideas creeping into my consciousness. When this occurs, it is impossible to return to sleep. I often develop these ideas further as I shower and as I become more alert often receive new information.
After breakfast (I cannot work without eating), I develop my idea into a plan which may or may not include a sketch. From the sketch, I can then begin painting/creating. At this stage, I paint to jazz (without the jazz music, I feel empty). Prior to actually painting, I think about the technique and the medium which I will use, for example, brushes, size of brushes, palette knives, chopsticks, items pressed into wet paint that leave a textural impression; use of oils or acrylics, house paint, antiquing glaze, gesso, gold leaf, and pigment colors.
When actually painting/creating, I am thinking about the plan and about color, texture and form. I like bright colors but also love black and white paintings; texture that causes the viewer to linger; and form to suggest organic shapes. And of course, I am thinking about the outcome. Most of the time, I hate the piece I am working on but keeping working until I like it. I am always asking myself if a piece is finished - usually if I hate it, that means it is not. Once I like it, however, then I can decide if it is finished or not. I have to feel good about it. If I don't, I keep working until I do or I discard it or destroy it.
Finally, I then decide if I need to frame the piece. If so, I consistently take it to the same framer who is also an abstract artist and usually gives me good recommendations for picture molding. Lately, however, I have been painting on gallery stretched canvas (canvas stretched over a 1 1/2 inch stretcher) - these are normally not framed but I paint the canvas sides black or paint them to match the painting.
At long last, they are ready to hang and hopefully sell. I do have difficulty parting with some though. A friend of mine suggested I keep my favorite ones until I paint one I like even more; and so, my work evolves and keeps growing.
After breakfast (I cannot work without eating), I develop my idea into a plan which may or may not include a sketch. From the sketch, I can then begin painting/creating. At this stage, I paint to jazz (without the jazz music, I feel empty). Prior to actually painting, I think about the technique and the medium which I will use, for example, brushes, size of brushes, palette knives, chopsticks, items pressed into wet paint that leave a textural impression; use of oils or acrylics, house paint, antiquing glaze, gesso, gold leaf, and pigment colors.
When actually painting/creating, I am thinking about the plan and about color, texture and form. I like bright colors but also love black and white paintings; texture that causes the viewer to linger; and form to suggest organic shapes. And of course, I am thinking about the outcome. Most of the time, I hate the piece I am working on but keeping working until I like it. I am always asking myself if a piece is finished - usually if I hate it, that means it is not. Once I like it, however, then I can decide if it is finished or not. I have to feel good about it. If I don't, I keep working until I do or I discard it or destroy it.
Finally, I then decide if I need to frame the piece. If so, I consistently take it to the same framer who is also an abstract artist and usually gives me good recommendations for picture molding. Lately, however, I have been painting on gallery stretched canvas (canvas stretched over a 1 1/2 inch stretcher) - these are normally not framed but I paint the canvas sides black or paint them to match the painting.
At long last, they are ready to hang and hopefully sell. I do have difficulty parting with some though. A friend of mine suggested I keep my favorite ones until I paint one I like even more; and so, my work evolves and keeps growing.
