We were taught it was invented by Kandinsky but now we know that way before the great master postulated his philosophy and even his manifesto on art and painted his first «abstract» painting, a woman…imagine that!…named Hilma af Klin, Swedish artist and mystic, had actually developed the style, the genre, or the school of art to be known as abstract.
As an artist I can tell you that abstract art is not easy. It is not just blotches or stains upon a canvas or a paper. It is not just paint dripped or splashed upon a surface, although I know that in the United States «dripping» is very popular because of Jackson Pollock. I care little for dripping and much less for Pollock, but that’s just my opinion.
To truly create an abstract you must follow the rules of art and art has many rules, like any other academic subject does. That is why we suffer through at least four years at uni to learn the craft. Granted the uni does not artists make, that comes later, but you do learn a lot. So to create abstract art you must confront all the problems or difficulties that one confronts with figurative art, being composition, colour (mixing colours is essential), size, theme, reference, style and of course what message you are conveying. Another thing, please work a bit on the title as well, don’t just call it «Abstract No. 1», although I have done that too…
So now I am in Miami Beach, the place where it all began for me. Here I created Omnia Caelum Studios (calling it Omnia Caelum Studios Miami) back in the day (2003). Here I went to the uni, (Florida International University) and learned much from other artists that I met as I exhibited and participated in many things that were going on in and around Florida (and the entire eastern coast of the US).
I am working here as I have clients that have «discovered» I am here and have contacted me. I will continue to work everywhere I live. I never take «holidays», my life is a «holiday» or I should say «Holy day» as I thank God every day for letting me live and for giving me such wonderful life and such wonderful people.
I hope that all abstract artists out there continue to create, continue to innovate and continue to search. But I hope they never forget that to create art there has to be a philosophy, there must be adherence to many rules and there must be something to express. Art is the search and Art is the language.
Cheers…
JaZzArt en València 
Very interesting indeed my friend. Doing a lot of traveling/driving so out of commission but saw this on a stop. That second digital art piece was spectacular. I appreciate your explanation of abstract art and all the work that goes into it. Your abstract work is beautiful Francis. I saw you sold that newer incredible painting to someone in Miami. Congratulations my friend – word is getting around that you are back. Big hugs to your family from mine. ❤️
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Thank you so much Joni. It is a blessing being back in Miami as a visitor and I am happy and thankful for new and old client/collectors here. I am so glad you liked the post. Big hugs to you and yours too!
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I bet it is indeed. Glad you had this opportunity. I am sure it is a blessing for them too. Please give my best and blessings to the family. Love ❤️ from us
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Thank you Joni. Lots of love from us to you too! 🌺🌹♥️🙏🏻😊
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yes, I think most have no idea what goes into a piece of abstract art. I am always learning.
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Thank you so much Pat!
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As always, informative.
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Thank you Espie.
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Thanks for the insight – about both abstract art and your career
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Thank you Malc. It’s Thursday, finally the middle of the week, no? 😉
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No! Almost the end of the week 🙂
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Yes!
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Nothing like getting back to your roots, my friend. Not surprised that old clients and new are seeking you out. Loved your explanation of abstract art and all that goes onto it.
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Thank you so much Brad! It’s good to be here as a visitor.
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You don’t care for Pollock… LOL. That’s all right. I probably don’t care for a few of your favorite artists. Please do write more and more about abstract art. I love some of it, don’t care for other pieces, and am still trying to figure it all out in my own art practice. I definitely agree with you that abstract art still has to «play by the rules» — but, then again, are there really any rules in art? Oh, yes, there are all those «academics» about composition, design, color theory, and those other key elements, and I do agree that abstract are has to be more than drips and splatters. Yet it’s still one big puzzle for me. I look forward to learning a lot from you.
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I do see the importance of Pollock in art history and I would go see an expo but I think I could see it in just five minutes. His work seems to me to be an experiment, something on the way to somewhere as I am not a fan at all of dripping. I know that Americans are fond of it, after all it was invented in the US as a response to the advance of European vanguards in art at the beginning of the XX C. I consider art an academic subject, with a process, a philosophy and most certainly rules. Intuitive art is superficial and lacks a message and thought behind it. Children are intuitive and they paint, draw, drip et cetera but it is not art, as they are just doing what is normal as children. Abstract art, the good ones, are few and those do engage you because they are done by artists who have taken the time and effort to deepen their knowledge of the spirituality in art as Kandinsky wrote. Search these artists and I think you will learn a lot about abstract art. I will be posting a list of some that I consider good and some I consider lacking. I also have some videos you may want to see. Cheers Judith, again I appreciate our discussions tremendously. All the best.
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I think it’s time for me to re-read Kandisky’s «Concerning the Spiritual in Art». Even though he’s not a «favorite» of mine, I do appreciate his ideas about art, especially when he expresses his thoughts in musical terms. «Colour is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul.” I’ve been «an artist» for barely 7 years, but a musician for nearly 70 years. I enjoy parallels between the two disciplines.
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That’s splendid Judith. Music, painting, poetry, dance, all are part of the same idea of art. You’ve artistic sensibilities for music, you have them for art too.
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🙂 Looking forward to more of your blog posts!
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Thank you Judith! All the best.
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