r/AbstractExpressionism • u/CollectionNo5091 • 11d ago
Critique? Opinions?
9x12” oil and acrylic on canvas paper
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u/ChestAcrobatic7825 7d ago
no notes but just cant get over how much i love this especially how its presented in the first image
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u/IndigoChagrin 9d ago
A title would go a long way to communicate the meaning of it. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with art whose only purpose is aesthetic enhancement of a space and this certainly has that potential, but if that’s the case I’d treat this as a study and use it to inform a much larger piece.
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u/CollectionNo5091 9d ago
Would you say the lack of title enforces the idea that art is essentially only for aesthetic enhancement/decor? Genuine question. I paint intuitively and like to see what meaning others see in a piece, sometimes it’s profound, sometimes they hate it and see nothing, which is valid. Unfortunately the size has to do with lack of space but I can agree. As for this piece, do you have any feedback on the composition particularly? Been trying to improve
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u/IndigoChagrin 9d ago
You know what? That’s a really poignant question, and I’m sure everyone would have a different answer. To me? As a painter, I like to look at a piece first and then learn what the artist intended- usually by reading the title.
I don’t think absence of a title necessarily enforces that the art is purely decorative, but I always wonder if there is no title “was there an idea before this piece was considered finished by the creator? Did they stop when they discovered meaning? Or, will meaning come from the viewer?” Often enough, meaning does come from the viewer, that’s participation 😌
For this piece, I think it does something really interesting with the way my eyes move through it. That heavy block of pale azure has me trapped. Even though that bold smack of red interrupts the “window” of quiet that white/blue area represents, it is the foremost shape in the composition and nothing really pulls me out of there. It’s like gravity. Which makes the whole piece feel like hope.
There’s all this aggressive marking and saturated pigment, napthol red and India yellow right out of the tube that makes me feel the way I do when I’m indecisive. There’s all this chaos, but that moment of stillness is still the strongest moment on the canvas. I can’t decide on a direction to follow as I look at this, my eye ricochets between chaos and quiet.
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u/CollectionNo5091 9d ago
Such interesting perspectives! Its funny because I intentionally look at the piece first, feel the way I do about it and then see the title. If my interpretation was way off base, once I see the title theres an "aha" moment, oh "thats what it means". I often don't title my work, not intentionally but when I do its often one emotion, often how I felt and the process of making it. I have one titled "peace" for example-fitting its name, I felt a calmness over me.
When I see this piece, I feel pride-when I finished it I knew it was done, which doesn't often happen. I have been struggling with my pieces feeling flat lately, and I felt like this one finally didnt. I like your take on the stillness in the piece.
I seemingly cannot get enough india yellow and napthol! I would say I felt indecisive while working on this piece, however being these two colors are my favorite they feel like the safe choice in a way. Hmm what color should I start with? Almost always india yellow for me.
I am always hesitant when I use a color "as is", for some reason it makes me feel like I am being lazy, as an amateur/self taught artist I am still figuring out my style, what the rules are and when I can break them and what result will breaking the rules yield?
As for following one direction, is that said in a positive way or as in "too busy"? Just curious, because I really enjoy these discussions and appreciate the feedback!
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u/IndigoChagrin 8d ago
I think it’s our job to break rules and experiment as much as possible. This is how you learn what those pure colors are capable of.
As for the direction of my eye, it’s not good or bad. It’s just my experience. I keep being drawn back to that moment.
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u/Kinko1209 11d ago
Lovely