Fancy An Abstract Exploration?
Have you ever been curious about the world of abstract art and how it can be used to express emotions and ideas? Exploration I and II – two vibrant, mixed media paintings on paper – offer a perfect opportunity to discover the power of abstract art. As part of my Journey Into Colour series, these paintings were created to explore the use of a limited colour palette and layering process to create a unique and vibrant visual experience that I hope will capture your imagination. Join me on this abstract adventure.
Inspiration
The inspiration for these paintings came from a desire to challenge myself and explore new techniques. I wanted to push the boundaries of my own creativity and see what I could achieve with a limited colour palette and a layering process. I’d recently taken part in an online workshop by artist Nicholas Wilton and also love the work of another American artist Jane Davies, who both very much influenced the process.
Colour Palette and Layering Process
I really enjoy using a limited colour palette to create a sense of harmony and unity in my paintings and my preference is magenta, green gold, and phthalo blue, so it’s not a traditional red, yellow and blue primary palette, but always gives a lovely vibrant outcome. By limiting the colours, I was able to focus on the layering process and create a dynamic and complex surface.
The layering process I used involved adding paint, subtracting, and various mark making techniques such as scratching and stamping. This created a textured and layered effect that adds depth and interest to the paintings. Exploration I and II showcase this layering process of abstract art, which allowed me to explore movement, spontaneity, and texture in the work. The limited colour palette also creates a dynamic effect, drawing the viewer in and stimulating their imagination.
The process of creating these paintings was a journey of self-discovery and exploration. It was both challenging and rewarding to work within these constraints and forced me to be more intentional and deliberate with my mark making.
Exploring the Techniques of Abstract Art
The paintings measure 10 x 10 inches and feature a variety of mark making techniques that were created with an array of tools such as brushes, sponges, and palette knives, kitchen utensils, even toilet roll holders. I love the transparency of these colours, which allows the previous marks to show through and alters the colours layer upon layer. I find it remarkable just how many variations can be made from just these three starting points. In places I added some white paint to the original colour to create some opacity adding contrast for more interest. The result is two bold and energetic paintings that capture movement and spontaneity.
Both paintings feature a variety of mark making techniques and a layering process to create texture and depth, but the colours and mark making techniques used in each painting create a slightly different effect. Although Exploration I and II have the same colour palette, layering process and they were created side by side the outcome is subtly different in each and they are unique in their own way, creating a dynamic visual experience.
Appreciating the Artistic Expression
Abstract art can be challenging to interpret, but it offers a sense of freedom and individuality that is more difficult with traditional art forms. I’m no abstract expert, but if you’d like a better explanation take a look at this article which I found to be written in laymen’s terms giving a great description of abstract art in landscape and would apply to any other style of abstract painting too.
One of the things I love about abstract art is that it allows the viewer to interpret the painting in their own way. The vibrant colours and textures in Exploration I and II evoke different emotions and feelings in each viewer, and I find it fascinating to see how people connect with my art in their own way.
Displaying the Paintings
The possibilities for displaying Exploration I and II are endless. These paintings can be displayed as a diptych, side-by-side to create a larger impact, or individually to create a focal point in any room, offering a flexible and versatile display, allowing you to experiment with different placement options. They are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces of art that offer a great opportunity to start or add to your art collection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Exploration I and II are two vibrant and dynamic abstract mixed media paintings on paper that were created to explore the use of a limited colour palette and layering process, enabling me to to challenge myself and explore new techniques. These paintings showcase the power of colour, texture, and mark making in abstract art, and invite the viewer to take a closer look and discover their own interpretation. I’m proud of these paintings and the journey of self-discovery and exploration they represent, which is why I’ve used them throughout this website. As an artist, it’s important to me to continually challenge myself and try new things. I hope to continue to create bold and vibrant abstract art that inspires and delights the viewer.
Whether you’re a seasoned art collector or someone just beginning to explore the world of art, why not take the plunge and discover the beauty and sophistication of abstract art with Exploration I and II. I’m thrilled with the final result and hope that you enjoy exploring these paintings as much as I enjoyed creating them. Take a closer look and see what you can find, they’re both available as prints in two sizes here.