Why Abstract Art?
For me, painting a person, a tree, a dog or a house never felt very creative. It was an exercise in technical skill. I would get so caught up in getting it "right" that any imagination and creativity went out the door. I got A's in college for figure drawing, still life, etc. My technical skills were very good, but those types of paintings did not "feed" my soul.
Instead I searched for a challenge. I wanted to use color, texture and shapes to create a mood and a feeling. I discovered [
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Why Abstract Art?
For me, painting a person, a tree, a dog or a house never felt very creative. It was an exercise in technical skill. I would get so caught up in getting it "right" that any imagination and creativity went out the door. I got A's in college for figure drawing, still life, etc. My technical skills were very good, but those types of paintings did not "feed" my soul.
Instead I searched for a challenge. I wanted to use color, texture and shapes to create a mood and a feeling. I discovered abstract art.
Once I let go of the idea that everything had to be perfect and look like something, my soul just opened up. I thrived with bright colors and bold brush strokes. I enjoyed using one color on a white ground. Simple black and white pieces gave me a sense of accomplishment that no green tree in the meadow ever could.
I now know that the abstract artist views the world very differently than the impressionist does. We dont walk around the world looking at "objects" saying "that should be a painting". Instead we pull from the inside....our soul brings colors and shapes to form....our brain picks things from our soul that "should be a painting". We are often drawn to the minutia of the world. Little things that many would never notice. A color. A shape...a shadow....a texture....these are the things that speak to us.
It is a language that I know very well. I speak abstract.
For those that have ears to hear.......
****
I live in beautiful sunny Florida year around. I grew up in Sarasota near my Grandmother who was also an artist. She graduated from historic Ringling Art School. I learned a lot about painting and even more about patience under her guidance. All of my artwork is a dedication to her (Dorothy Baird Denham): a great artist and a wonderful teacher.
I received my own art degree in 1993 in Tampa Florida.
While a lot of artists shy away from commission work, I revel in it. They ignite a fire in me, so if you have a need for a special piece, please email me for my personalized attention. My phone line is also open to my collectors. I believe you have a right to "know" who you are buying your art from.
*****I sent this to one of my clients in St. Thomas. She ordered 22 oversized paintings from me because all of her art was damaged by Hurricane Ivan. After I wrote it, I thought that it was a good summary of what I am like. And I thought it would be what most people would really want to know about me.*****
"A little about how I paint. I paint everything FLAT. I dont use an easel. I never have. I paint by some unique 6th sense or something because I put it all down on canvas and it all just comes together. I dont sketch anything. I dont practice anything. I just paint. When someone asks for a style I dont normally do, if I say yes, then I simply paint. My only thoughts are, "Let's see what happens." And I let the creative force flow. God has truly blessed me with a gift because, I have sold over 1,500 paintings since I have been online. I work hard and I scrutinize every piece I paint. I will see some fleck of dust in a painting and worry about it. No one else would ever notice, but I do. I honestly care about my work and I care what the people who receive it think. I am a sensitive indeed and I want my art to be well recieved. I want my art to make a house a home or a business a welcoming place. This is what I do. This is who I am."
____CALM____ENERGY____My artwork is meant to get your attention. My choice of bold color and high contrast are no accident. They are part of who I am and how I relate to the world. A reminder to stop and enjoy life. Collectors say "wow", "beautiful" and "makes me smile". Your friends will say "where did you get this art?" If you want art that makes you feel this way then you have come to the right portfolio. If you are looking for work that simply blends in with neutral wall color, you will want to pass me by. [
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