The Challenge for May: Abstract

Our challenge for this month is to do an abstract work of art.

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Donna Vines

I have always enjoyed looking at Abstract art but painting it is not easy.  It has to evoke an emotion, a feeling, something beyond a recognizable thing.  The more I thought about how to approach this the more I realized it is all in the colors to me.  I looked at several artists then looked through my photos to find a mood.  I finally chose a fall mountain scene because it looked so vibrant, alive and hopeful.

Vermont in the Fall
9x12 oil

Donnavinesart.Etsy.com


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Jean Thomas

This is an abstract landscape that I made up from a sketch. My purpose here was to experiment with watercolor and try to get a wide range of value. The original is about 7" x 9".

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Abstract was a totally new idea in the art world when painters attempted to render a piece with no recognizable subject matter. The goal was to provoke a certain feeling and most art enthusiasts just didn't get it. "Radical, my kid could do it, just paint thrown on" were some of the oft heard reactions.  While times have changed I'm one who will tell you that good abstract art is much harder than painting something we can all identify.  Try painting an emotion (and no fair using flowers or a sunshine.)  I can't really get there but it is fun trying.  My piece definitely has discernible objects in it altho my husband and I see totally different things.  Maybe I got closer than I thought!

14 x 11, acrylic
Cindy Michaud
art@cindymichaud.com

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"Love in the Time of Coronavirus"
6x8, acrylic

I am not an abstract artist, so I employed a little Jackson Pollock to this and dropped the paint on the board from about four feet. Then I enhanced the round blobs to resemble COVID-19. It was fun.

Carmen Beecher

carmenbeecher.comcarmensart.etsy.com

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Mary Warnick's Abstract

"Ocean Motion"

I have admired the work of John Salmonen for many years, especially his beautiful cityscapes.  Several years ago he gave a workshop in Melbourne and I signed up.  It turned out to be an abstract workshop.  It was very intensive and complicated.  I think he was trying to incorporate a few techniques into the process, including line drawing and the grid method of transferring an image.  Over time I tried simplifying, but stuck to his advise "if it starts looking like something, get rid of it before you fall in love with it".   This little watercolor is a very simplified version.

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Kathy's response to the challenge:

I love to doodle and when I have nothing in mind to draw, that's what I do. One of my favorite methods is to randomly draw two lines across a page or canvas and then fill them in . Below is my progress from start to finish on canvas. Then I took it into Photoshop to finalize it. Click on any image to expand it.

Moment of Impact
8x10 Acrylic to Photoshop
Kathy Garvey

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Hope is a Thing ...
Mixed Media Collage
by Fay Picardi

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One Percent
Denette Schweikert

This "painting" is the left side of the I am very beginning of a large 36" X 46" picture.  I am not very good at abstracts.  

Small Abstract Painting, Fluid Art, Acrylic Pouring, Daily Painting,

I have been continuing to research and experiment with fluid art, and finally I feel I have made a little progress.

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It is fascinating to see what appears as the paints and hues mingle, and frustrating because you can do the exact same technique twice and get two completely different results.

I was very happy with this one, that appears to be hundreds of little bubbles, but is actually hundreds of little cells.

I love how they look on household products!  These are from Kessinhouse.com.

Is this year flying by or what??

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Daily Painting Small Oil Painting, Abstract Triptych, 6x18" "Ode to Blue"

Every now and then, I just have to do an abstract.  Usually painting knives are involved.  This one is no exception.   I wanted to take a square composition and turn it into a rectangle. This us what I came up with.

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135. + shipping

and here is the original square composition.  Which do you prefer?

SOLD 

I have been in North Carolina, in the mountains for the past few weeks.  We are enjoying our time here.

The other day we went to the park and had a picnic lunch, something we never do at home.  There were ducks and geese everywhere.

We had a relaxing and fun time and our sandwiches tasted twice as good as usual.  The crisp fall weather comes and goes.  It is so much fun to be in the mountains this time of the year and I cannot wait for the fall color.   I will share with you when it comes.

When I work on the computer,  I can see chipmonks running back and forth, across the patio.  They are so fast, it is hard to get a photo, but I did manage to catch one stuffing his cheeks with goodies.

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Have a great fall day, wherever you are.

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Small Abstract Painting, Fluid Art, Acrylic Pouring, Daily Painting,

I have been continuing to research and experiment with fluid art, and finally I feel I have made a little progress.

Purchase here

It is fascinating to see what appears as the paints and hues mingle, and frustrating because you can do the exact same technique twice and get two completely different results.

I was very happy with this one, that appears to be hundreds of little bubbles, but is actually hundreds of little cells.

I love how they look on household products!  These are from Kessinhouse.com.

Is this year flying by or what??

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Abstract Giclee Print, Daily Painting, Teal and Green Abstract

I have been in an experimental mood lately.  My oils have been gathering dust as I pour acrylics and alcohol inks.

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This piece is done on yupo paper, which really isn't paper at all, but a  very slick plastic type of surface favored by watercolorists.  It is an alcohol ink piece.

The original is not available, but I am offering this as a giclee print in several sizes.

We are in the process of moving and my mind seems scattered these days.  I will try to continue to post during the process, but please bare with me.  Eventually, we will be settled and my posts will become more regular.

Have a great day!

Carol Schiff

www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Small Abstract Painting, Fluid Art, Acrylic Pouring, Daily Painting,

I have been continuing to research and experiment with fluid art, and finally I feel I have made a little progress.

Purchase here

It is fascinating to see what appears as the paints and hues mingle, and frustrating because you can do the exact same technique twice and get two completely different results.

I was very happy with this one, that appears to be hundreds of little bubbles, but is actually hundreds of little cells.

I love how they look on household products!  These are from Kessinhouse.com.

Is this year flying by or what??

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Acrylic Abstract Pouring, Daily Painting, Gicee Print on Canvas

I am still enjoying my experiments with acrylic pourings.  It is either the most fascinating or the most frustrating activity ever!

I am quite pleased with the color on this one and also with the movement and cell formation.

We used to say, watching paint dry was too boring, but I have a hard time pulling myself away these days.  Manipulating the paint, by moving the support is always interesting, even more so when you return an hour later and find a whole new painting.

If you are interested in this process, I suggest going to You Tube, where you will find  a ton of  tutorial videos.

I am offering this, as well as others, as giclee prints on canvas, in numerous sizes, on my Etsy site.

Thanks for stopping by today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER SHELLY!

www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Abstract Giclee Print, Acrylic Abstract Pour Painting, Daily Painting, Small Abstract Painting

A few years ago, I experimented with poured acrylic painting.  I tried it for a few weeks, and then put it aside.  Recently, I have found a renewed interest in this work.

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The past few weeks, I have been doing a lot of research, and I began to get a renewed interest in this form of art. 

After several tries, I have come up with a few that meet my standards.  It is almost impossible to do this without making a huge mess on the back, so at the moment, I am offering them only as giclee prints.

This is one of my favorites.  The process includes paints, mediums and a pretty precise recipe, and sometimes fire!  The fascination is that there is not much control over the process and you never know what you will end up with.  It is also impossible to duplicate a piece.  You can do two in exactly the same way and get very different pieces.

Thanks for viewing my blog today.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Small Abstract Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, Summer Dance Painting

I came back from a walk in the Blue Ridge Mountains, inspired by the bright summer colors.  Flowers were evident around every turn.

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I love abstract, but find them very difficult.  I have to have a starting point, some type of inspiration, some plan of composition.  Often I end of scraping off hours of work.

This is one of the few that appeals to me.  I felt good about it and still think it conveys the emotions I was feeling at the time.  I mark this one as a success for me.

Thanks for reading my blog today.

Carol Schiff

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Off on a New Journey!

Several years ago, I joined forces with a company that manufactures and sells giclee prints on wood panels.  It turned out to be a good move for me, and I was very disappointed when suddenly, the company was sold.  The new owners went in another direction and things were looking gloomy for me.

But now, after 8 months of work, we are finally moving forward again.  They recently sent me images of some of my new works on their products.  Not only, wood panel giclee's, but also pillows, shower curtains, totes and much more.

I was very pleased with the results, and want to show some of them to you.  Hopefully, you will soon find them on the shelves of a department store near you.

Angels of Parade Pillow

Burnt Sky Pillow

Darkness Shower Curtain

Fishy School Shower Curtain

Wakes Tote

Moon Over Miami On Wood Plank

Summer Heat Pillow

Sky Music on Wood Plank

I am delighted with the results!!

Have a Happy Day!

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
www.CarolSciffStudio.etsy.com

Where Will Your Art Lead You?

I am always delighted and surprised by the contacts I receive regarding my art.  Today, I wanted to share this wonderful poster with you, that features one of my abstract paintings.

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I recieved a request from SPROG, a fantastic charity, that helps to finance summer camps for under priviliged children.  Children are always near and dear to my heart, so I was happy to allow them to use my image.

 If you are around St Louis or Kirkwood Mo. this weekend, I hope you will take the time to join this church tour.

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Here's hoping you have a wonderful fall weekend.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Abstract Landscape, Daily Painting, Daily Art, Small Oil Pianting, 6x8" Oil, SOLD

Somedays, girls just want to paint abstract!  Today is one of those days!

Georgia Morning
SOLD

Sometimes, I just want to play with lots of paint.

The Sun Falls to the Sea
SOLD

Texture is always a large part of my work, especially in abstracts.

Blue
SOLD

When I start an abstract, I usually don't have anything specific if mind.......and I struggle.  But, then I get to that sweet spot, where it seems to come together, that's when I get excited.

Although these are all sold, they are all available as giclee prints in the size of your choice.  Check it out HERE.

Have a great day....and try something different!

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Small Abstract Painting, Daily Painting, Original Oil Abstract ,by Carol Schiff, 8x8x1.5"

It has been some time since I posted an abstract......this week I was in the mood to do some non-representative work.

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130 + shipping

I enjoy abstract, at times, as it gives me the opportunity to concentrate on composition and color relationships.  No drawing distractions!

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I started this piece by creating lots of texture on the canvas, followed by a coat of acrylic cad. red.  Then the fun began as I brought out my oils and just pushed paint around until I was happy with the results.  It was that same feeling I used to get when I would stomp around in rain puddles as a kid.

I know I will soon go back to representative work, but today, I am happy with this,

Thanks for reading my blog today.



www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Daily Painting | Mixed Media Abstract | Contemporary Art | Metallic Movement by Carol Schiff | 6x12x1.5" Acrylic

This is one of my favorite pieces....an abstract poured paint piece.  I poured several colors of acrylic, including some metallic colors, over the canvas.  Then the fun began as I tried to manipulate the canvas to help the paint flow into a pleasing design.

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That probably sounds very easy, but I beg to differ.  It is VERY messy and very difficult to do.  When I would move the paint where I wanted it in one area, another area was destroyed!  I have the utmost respect for artists, like Kimberly Conrad, who do this routinely.

detail

The metallic gold really catches the light and makes it special.

 I did two similar pieces, using the same colors.

detail

I usually end up tossing these out, or try to use them as an under painting, as the seldom feel like successful pieces to me.  It has been some time since I tried this....I think I am ready to give it another try,

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