Death of an Artist

There is a great deal of alchemy in abstract art. As a practice, there is a great deal of material mixing and even chemistry that comes into play. Look at each of the abstract images and see how some have cracks, some are smooth, some are glossy or matte. How does the glossy and matte mix? Look for roughness, creases, crinkles, and also take in the entire image. Think of abstract as morse code. It is not paint thrown on canvas but an artist trying to convey a message without using obvious figures. This particular image was a battle because it wouldn't dry; it was the second full abstract piece, but I decided to add paper. Both as a colour material, but also I felt the image tells the story. A man dressed in formal clothing takes many elements to build an image; the room in the large image is beautiful furniture surrounded by patinaed walls. However, the image was the first time the artist used paper this size on a full abstract and the paper looks bubbled because it fought back from laying flat. The paper is perfectly fixed, but imperfectly laid down. It became part of its surrounding, but it wasn't immediately satisfied. Ask yourself about the juxtaposition of the image. If it was perfect, yet shows an interesting scene of how perfect and imperfect can co-exist would that be better? Or is the fact that the perfect paper, depicting the balance of new and old forming to the painting more apt... The artist has his thoughts.

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