Why I Love Abstract Art
Working on original abstract art in my Leeds studio
I always smile at the reactions I get when I tell people I'm an artist – especially when I say I love working in abstracts. Usually it's “ohhhh really?” followed very quickly by “can I see some of your work?”. At this point I'll usually try and guess which pieces people will be drawn to the most – the fully abstract pieces or the ones where it’s only a part of it. And I don't think I've ever accurately predicated it yet – but this makes me SO happy as art is really truly in the eye of the beholder. “I really like this one but I'm not sure why” is quite common but it's also my favourite response as it really shows that abstract art works with feeling more than anything else.
And in my humble opinion, that “feeling” that can't be explained, is what art's all about.
So let me share a little of why I love making it.
It all starts with composition
Before a single brushstroke, I'm focused on creating a painting that will move the eye around the canvas. There needs to be a landing point but where will it go after that? Does it feel balanced or does it have an unusual focal point?
A great composition has its lots of these things. Ultimately, it should draw you in and keep you there, even if you're not sure why. For me, getting that right is one of the most satisfying parts of the whole process — and it's something I approach intuitively rather than mathematically. There are some artists who work to almost mathematical levels to create their compositions but this has never been my strength so I choose to lean into my love of process and refinement. Weirdly there will come a point when I feel at ease and now that I don't have to add any more.
Colour that works hard
I lhave never been one to stick to one thing and this is especially true of my love of colours. Some days I feel drawn to brighter, even neon, colours and others I want calming, softer tones. There's something deeply satisfying about placing complemenary colours next to each other and watching the contrast just pop off the canvas, or finding an unexpected colour pairing that somehow just works (dioxazine purple and phthalo green as an example!)
Close up detail of Wild Irises abstract painting collection, showing unusual colour combinations
In my abstract acrylic paintings, colour is both there look beautiful but also to create an emotional response. A warm raw sienna next to a metallic gold leaf can create a sense of earthy glitteriness. A burst of neon coral against a deep anthraquinone blue creates a sense of energy and tension. I'm always thinking about this when I'm mixing and layering, building colours that work together, even if they are in contrast.
Texture and mark-making
This is definitely where I have the most fun! I have a HUGE amount of brushes, palette knives, print rollers and other contraptions that I use to create interesting and varied textures. My grandparents were both keen artists and I inherited all of their art supplies – it included beautful japanese style brushes, hogs hair and sable brushes and I love to use them in my work as it adds a little extra connection to the work I'm producing. Having said that I also sometimes just my hands to blend and move the paint around too! I love when you move closer to a painting and you can start to see the ridges and grooves of impasto paint, the drag of a palette knife or where an edge just blends away softly.
Mark-making is instinctive and a bit like handwriting – it's distinct to that artist at the time they are painting and therefore totally unique. I want my art to keep giving – your eye finds something new every time you look at it but especially if you take the time to look closely. You will find me nose-deep in my paintings as well as gazing at it from the other side of the studio, sometimes I even stand outside so that I can check how it works at different distances. Texture gives me that tool to create a different experience no matter where you are viewing it from.
Making art that feels like something
Above all else - technical accuracy, colour theory, art being “good” etc – the only thing that I really want from my paintings is to create a feeling for myself and the viewer. And it has to be genuine – flat, unloved art created without purpose is so lifeless on a wall. I have so many emotions when I'm painting – excitement, calm, joy, nostalgia – and I try so hard to pass them on through my work. Art should enhance a space and that what I work for with every piece I paint.
If you've ever walked past a painting and felt something you couldn't quite name, I'd love for you to take a look at my work. There are original abstract acrylic paintings available, each one made with all of this in mind. I hope one of them speaks to you.
Complementary art can really enhance a space to create interest and mood
