Most artists I know find writing artist’s statements very difficult. One might agree that for artists who work in the style of realism, it is an easier task to communicate their inspiration because they are dealing with tangible and natural references. However, if you’re an abstract artist the challenges are very different. How do you convey to others how you feel when choosing your colors, shapes, forms and techniques? The myriad of internal, intangible forces may be difficult to articulate.
For this article let’s take a look at several different abstract artists and what I have written about their art and their statements. I hope these examples offer some guidance when writing about your abstract art.
I love to write about art and artists. If you would like me to write an Art Review in which I write about the strengths and unique qualities about your art, visit this page.
Debora Levy Uses Abstraction to Express Human Emotions
Debora Levy, deboralevyart.com, combines realism with abstraction. When she asked me to write about her art I offered this: “Debora’s artwork is characterized by an innovative and versatile use of imagery, textures, and mark-making. She has a superb sense of composition, design, and contrast and conveys a remarkable sense of balance and harmony. Spontaneity is a key factor that accompanies her creative vision.”
In her unique and compelling ‘Mark Making Collection’ she captures fragments from her observations in the natural world. The human face is often central to the composition in which symbols appear throughout to evoke universal feelings and aspirations. These narrative works have an immediate visceral impact on viewers and stimulate an inner dialogue. These attributes set her apart in the world of contemporary fine art.
She wrote, “Rather than depicting humanity as the way we see it in pure reality, I demonstrate its inner emotion, intricacy, and how that plays a role in everyday life. I use abstraction and imagery that allude to human emotions. In these works, I emphasize a time when we have felt an innate need to leave our individual mark in this world.”
Karen Johnston Writes About Soft Textures and Brilliant Tones
Karen Johnston, studiokarenjohnston.com, lives in Nashville, Tennessee and refers to herself as an intuitive, abstract painter. She won a Featured Artist Membership Award in the Healing Power of Art & ARTISTS “Art That Lifts Our Spirits” exhibition. We asked artists to submit, along with their JPEG images, a 60-word statement. This requirement poses the challenge for them is to be as clear and concise as possible. As you can imagine, some artists rise to the task with success and it separates the artists who have a clear vision of the kind of artist those who don’t.
For her award-winning submission Karen wrote, “Lingering on interior moments and bringing them to life with soft gestures and brilliant tones is the essence of my work. My joy of nurturing emotion until it rises to the heights of hope and light radiates from my canvases. Touches of whimsy, intuitive marks, and passages of color lyrically combine in my abstract narratives to poetically inspire the spirit.”
Kari Bienert Discusses Combining Geometry With Intuition
Kari Bienert, karibienert.com, lives in Australia. As many artists do, she combines more than one abstract style. Her approach fuses the precision of geometry and the fluidity that arises from intuition and automatism. She also refers to herself as a Color Field painter.
When writing about her art I stated, “Kari Bienert excels in the use of color configurations and the art of transforming geometric forms. She explores the unlimited potentiality of chromatic and tonal scales, visual planes and volume within a two-dimensional framework. Viewing her dynamic and exuberant works of art is an exciting kinetic experience.”
Kari wrote, “My practice is inspired by both the magic of the organic world from the macro and micro levels as well as the influence of technology on the way we visualize and understand reality. Sourcing inspiration from within, I dive into an abstract world, articulating adventures with undulating colors, shapes and patterns. The process is a balance between physical motor skills and mental power.”
Linda S. Watson Enjoys the Freedom of Throwing Away Rules
Linda S. Watson, lindaswatsonartist.com, is an award-winning artist who lives in Hawaii. Her paintings are inspired by the cosmos, the volcanoes of Hawaii, and minerals. Her abstract paintings glow with the iridescence that is found in nature’s colors and light. Translucent turquoise seas, fiery volcanic landscapes and starry nights serve as some of the sources for her to create her awe-inspiring works. She combines oils, acrylics and mixed media to create vivid and highly textured surfaces.
She states, “Painting abstract art gives me the freedom to throw out all the rules. Abstraction allows me to tap into my feelings, intuition and inventiveness, and work in a more spontaneous manner. I enjoy a creative process in which nothing is ‘wrong’ and the joy comes from playing with materials, colors and shapes.”
Eva Breitfuß Transports Us and Raises Consciousness
Eva Breitfuss, known as Eva Breitfuß, evabreitfuss.space, is a contemporary artist whose paintings transport us on an enthralling, multi-dimensional, visceral journey of transcendent self-discovery.
A profusion of abstract styles culminates in her versatile artistic vocabulary. She orchestrates minimal and reductive imagery and open spaces as well as geometric shapes, detailed designs, and intricate compositions. Every line, color and shape she chooses reflects a purposeful intention to communicate conceptual breadth and depth.
With unerring prowess, Eva lures us into spacious orbits, curvilinear forms, concentric circles, undulating waves and crossing directional lines. Her images release an exalted crescendo and emanate a profound vibrational energy.
You can read a complete Art Review I wrote on The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website
Francesca Marta Volchitza’s Paintings Are Poetry in Visual Form
The art of Francesca Volchitza Marta, francescavolchitzamarta.com, could be described as a stylized medley of uplifting visual narratives and poetry in visual form. Her vibrant symbolic paintings evoke feelings of sensuality, love, unity, hope, fertility and eternity. In one series, nude male and female figures embrace each other enveloped in a graceful and continuous undulating design. In other paintings, figures dance among a joyful rhythmic display of flora and fauna and illuminate our symbiotic bond with nature.
Francesca’s beautifully orchestrated compositions are enhanced in breadth and depth by her versatile use of colors, a mélange of contrasting tactile surfaces, and acute spatial perception. Stimulating elements of fantasy and reality are wedded in perfect harmony and balance.
Although at first glance Francesca’s effortless lyrical style may recall that of Symbolism, she expresses her own contemporary artistic vocabulary filled with life-affirming and memorable imagery.
Would You Like Me to Write An Art Review About Your Art?
I love to write about art and artists. If you would like me to write an Art Review
in which I write about the strengths and unique qualities about your art, visit this page.
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Kate Soudant says
Was happy to see Michael Amrose’s input. I love his work. Bought one several years ago and still ‘am in love’. Brings out a lot of meditative and spiritual feelings.
Linda S Watson says
Great article, so sorry I did not know about it.