Saturday, October 19, 2013

Realism or Abstraction

Colour Fantasy
    Mixed media     
We live in a time when anything goes especially in art, to the the point where we all might find ourselves questioning. In teaching painting the question of realism vs. abstraction comes up again and again. Somewhere I came across the definition of abstraction as being that which our mind has not yet affixed a label. An amorphous colour field is just that until we call it a sunset. A sunset by the British artist Turner is considered great and beautiful art yet without the title or knowing the artist it might pass for a modern abstract. Good principles of composition hold true in both abstract and realism and of course art is always subjective. The discussion is ongoing and rich.  I continue to be awed by the journey called art capable of evoking such mystery.
As an artist I love to play with colour and texture and a painting could end up as an abstract or take a form that evokes trees or sky or figures. I love both abstract and realism and don't like to be labelled or slotted into one  category or medium.  The Fall Beach Studio tour is coming up October 25th, 26th, and 27th. It is a free walking tour of the locations of participating artists.  A wine and cheese opening starts at 6 pm Friday evening and then  the show continues Saturday and Sunday. I hope to see you.
A selection of my latest work in watercolour and acrylic and mixed media will be shown; both abstract and representational.

I'm very excited about  a short video