Abstract art ~What it is, Where does it come from? Why do I do it?

Abstract art is art that does not try to represent a specific subject matter or something that is recognizable in reality.  Abstract art plays on the emotions of the artist completely by using shapes, colors and textures.  Abstract art is very spontaneous in nature.

When I paint abstract art I do my best to start with at least three different colors.  These colors can be complimentary or opposite on the color wheel.  This depends on what I want to have the viewer feel and experience .  Do I want bright colors that are so opposite that they vibrate when you see them? Such as green and purple, yellow and blue.  Or do I want colors that harmonize when you look at them causing your eyes to move in a soothing pattern across the canvas?  There is no wrong or right way to paint abstract art because there is no wrong or right way to feel while painting it. 

~Emotions

Emotions  are the key ingredient for abstract art.  What is the artist feeling?  Is he feeling angry, sad, in love, out of love, inspired, aggressive?  Mood can be greatly effected on the habituates a artists takes and doesn't take.  Artists have had a long reputation for using outside stimuli in the form or alcohol, weed, pills etc.  I do not agree with this and I do not disagree with it.  I am also not saying every artist uses.  But I will say that a lot of great art has been inspired and created under the influence and sober.  So what does this mean?  Emotions are key in creating art, sad or happy, drunk or sober whatever state the artist is in is going to influence the outcome of the piece.

~When to stop, Less is more

When I paint abstract art , I feel as though I want to put subject matter on it, a flower, bird, person, building, etc.  I see a beautiful background and I want to put something that defines an image.  Most of my art I combine what I am feeling with what I see or am inspired by.  However I feel the real challenge in producing a great abstract piece is knowing when to stop, when to say "enough".  Abstract art can be as simple as a black and white painting and  have a few powerful brush strokes.  It can be minimal in construction and design.  The artist is saying more with less words, less strokes can say more by utilizing the empty space that now just exists.

~Less Is More, but some times More is better

When I am painting abstract art I try to challenge myself in using less.  Meaning how can I make a powerful piece of art by utilizing the empty space that is on the canvas?  Say more by saying nothing, paint more by using the paint to excentuate the emptiness giving it form.  But the opposite exists as well.  How many layers can I use? I ask myself.  In my opinion layers of paint mean layers of emotion.  So when I want to convey more, I ask "how many layers can I have?"  "How many layers can I build?"  "How much more color and texture can there be?"  I build layers much like  a sculptor would take away to expose the hidden form  but with layers I add to define dimensions, texture, shape. This conveys emotion.

~Abstract Art where does it come from?

All my pieces of art combine a aspect of the undefinable, the unknown the abstract.  I  combine my pop art, surrealism, modern art and abstract art together to form my individual style.  Abstract art is fun. It allows me to explore the subterranean levers of my psyche.  As I dump colors, work with brush strokes, thick gobs of overlaying paint, my mind travels.  It travels to a place that can be only explained through the finished product. This allows me to release hidden layers of myself that I can not reach without engaging in the artistic  action of painting.  Abstract art is the reflection of the inner mind.


I like to combine my abstract art with my pop art, stencil art, mural art, buddha art.  Major styles of art have already been defined. I do my best to merge styles together to form something that has been influenced by a certain genre but make it my own by mixing, destroying, and rebuilding.