Poll Results Painting: Untitled Abstract Landscape
If you’re just now reading my blog for the first time, let me get you up to date. Yesterday I ran a poll asking what I should paint today as part of a self imposed 30 day painting challenge. The results: a tie between abstract and landscape. The following is my finished painting offered up 3 ways. Since it’s abstract does it really matter which way it is oriented? Weigh in please.
This turned out to be more difficult than I thought. Do you ever have something in mind and then it doesn’t quite turn out how you imagined? That’s exactly what happened here. I was once again experimenting with some mixed media techniques and kept adding paint, taking it away until finally, something that looked like mountains appeared. Was I looking for them? Maybe. I wasn’t quite happy so I went back in with some graphite to give more definition to some areas. Finally I said to myself, “just STOP”! So here it is.
Then I turned it upside down and I saw a seascape or lake reflection.
And, I don’t mind it sideways either!
This is acrylic paint and graphite on gessoed illustration board. Approximately 4″ x 6″. I would like to see this bigger…a huge riot of color. Sorry I didn’t post earlier.
June 29th, 2006 at 4:13 am
Though I would have voted for non-abstract, I like this one, especially the combination of colours. Very nice indeed.
June 29th, 2006 at 7:28 am
interesting site your running here. keep it up i will try and return as often as possible.
branden, Nubbit.com
June 29th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
lovely, LOVE the orientation of the top one best.
June 29th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
This is fantastic…love how it’s so diverse and colourful!
June 29th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
I like it in all different directions. You get so many different feels and emotions from it.
Very vibrant, very colorful and very powerful for such a small painting. Well done!!
June 29th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
In my opinion, it’s the artist’s responsibility to dictate the orientation. If it doesn’t gel with the audience, then that’s the artist’s responsibility too
Nice site!
June 29th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
I honestly like this turned all 3 ways but I’m favoring the first one because it does remind me of a landscape with glowing yellow sky. Love this one!! This small work packs a powerful punch!
June 29th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Thank you to everyone who has commented! I painted it with the top one as my intended orientation, however, after turning it, I think I like #2. I’m reading a book on Watermedia techniques by artist Edward Betts and there’s a little quote that I found telling…only read it after I had already finished this one. “In painting from abstraction back toward nature, the artist’s state of mind is of prime importance. For one thing, the mind must be absolutely free of any idea as to what is to be painted.” I set about this the other way…with something in mind trying to make it abstract. Maybe that’s why it was more difficult for me.
June 29th, 2006 at 10:24 pm
I like this. My choice would be the first one.
June 29th, 2006 at 11:47 pm
Thanks Rob, that seems to be the consensus around my home too.