Abstractions in Progress

I tend to work on multiple paintings at a time - to give you an idea, the count right now is seven. In addition to revisiting my naturalistic paintings, I have been simultaneously working on a series of abstract paintings based on cell imagery and the way things work. As a long-time sufferer of migraines, I have grown very familiar with the idea of neurology. Not only that, but experiencing an aura with a migraine (read more about that here) has made me painfully (literally) aware of how much I value both the beauty of the natural world and also the images my mind dreams about. 


Sometimes I struggle with finding the right words to fit exactly what I am trying to say, but I feel like I can deftly communicate with color. My abstract images hold a special place in my heart, for they are truly creatures of my own mind, and not a direct representation of something. My goal (one of them anyway) is to develop paintings that can convey themes of friendship and human relationships in a way that is open ended and slightly more ambiguous. These are not relationships that I would convey through portraiture, to me they are more enduring than that, and the feelings I want to share span those boundaries.

 

Just the beginnings of a painting from yesterday's session in the studio. One of my dreams from the previous night was filled with pale windows.

Another painting in the very early stages. Also from yesterday in the studio.

Still working out the dragonfly.

A Change

I may have fallen into a bit of a bad habit. While I love my artistic paintings, I am starting to realize I have been neglecting other artistic loves, abstracted animals and landscapes, and even the dreaded portraiture. A good friend of mine reminded me that Salvador Dali would visit works by the old masters, and would not leave the museum until you couldn’t tell the difference between the two artist’s works. Not that I am after that level of reproduction (maybe he could have followed his career with one in restoration?)

I’m planning on using this blog as a method for keeping myself in touch with my thoughts, and therefore in touch with my art. I do not sketch or plan nearly enough. Often, I let the paint have a mind of its own and just intuitively play with colors and compositions, but that is a dangerous path if I do not keep challenging myself. I don’t want to let myself fall into an artistic rut.

 

Plans I've been working on today, maybe these paintings will turn into a series. The question I was asking myself though, was why am I painting a wasp?