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Abstract Painting, The Good, Bad & the Ugly
An article by: John N. Stewart
 _____ Let me start off by stating that I am nondiscriminatory when it comes to abstract art, even though the majority of my own art is realism. Abstract art, to me, is realism turned upside down, and I tend to judge abstract art and realism in a similar way. I feel that the elements of composition, drawing skills, color, texture, design etc. can be present in both and can be equally inspiring in either venue. I find over and over again similarities in paintings by Wyeth and Diebenkorn, or Sargent and Hofmann. (Feel free to disagree.) _____ In another part of my brain, I have a feeling that the importance of abstract painting or painters might have been a bit exaggerated and was constructed and nurtured by various New York art critics and the same is obviously true in the Reality belt. In still another part of my brain, I really enjoy the process of creating an abstract work of art. There is a freedom and incredible sense of discovery as you try new things that happen on the substrate, whether splashing paint or glueing down a found object in some sort of construction piece. _____ My favorite abstract sculptor might have to be Louise Nevelson who kept the sensibilities of a child and the complexity of a architect in her works. In the paint arena I enjoy Mondrian's canvases and Jenkin's large scale watercolors. I've done quite a few abstract watercolors and never get tired of seeing what the paint decides it wants to do – and then editing, if possible, the outcome. _____ In the late Eighties I was involved with a contemporary art group in Laguna Beach, California and it was very stimulating to interact with a bunch of other artists. I came up with some abstract art that consisted of either plywood or hollow core door panels. I collected some bronze, steel, stainless, and aluminum scraps and worked them into a constructional composition along with contractor sand, glazes of paint etc. The results were gratifying and I actually sold a few pieces. Experimentation was 'King' and it was a very creative period in my life.  _____ I think that my most successful abstract art piece in watercolor was done in the early Nineties and is a piece called 'Mechanica'. It can be viewed here. _____ I have trouble in relating to the 'New' art that I call 'Shock Art'. How much carnage can we look at and how much deranged sexual behavior can we repeatedly view without gagging? Unfortunately, like the daily news, this kind of art grabs the limelight. Haven't we learned anything from history? Curious. ----- In summarizing, we can probably agree that art can be exciting, boring, inspiring and sickening (sometimes in the same painting) and that abstract art definitely has it's place in the history of art along with everything else. John Stewart is a practicing artist in Northern California and his art can be seen at his website. His abstract art page can be reached by clicking here. |
