With our prompts, I wanted to share a mix of themes that are more abstract as well ones that can be taken more literally. Inspired by the winter season we are in, this week I thought we could explore ideas surrounding ice. Use it as a metaphor or use pieces of ice in your work this week! 

 

Also, feel free to use the newsletter image as a reference image if it speaks to you. If you click on it, it will take you to the page with the photographer's info. I chose the icy scene above because I love how the ice creates a frame to the colors and depth within it.

 

Below are different ideas and suggestions to try or to use as a starting point for your brainstorming--see where they take you!

Abstract Expressionism artists wanted to create abstract art that was also expressive and emotional. They were free spirited and inspired by the surrealist idea that art should come from the unconscious mind and by the automatism, creating art without conscious thought, accessing material from the unconscious mind as part of the creative process. Abstract Expressionism can be divided into two groups which are quite different from one another:

 

Action painters (Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning) worked spontaneously, were known to use large brushes to make sweeping gestural marks, and placed their inner impulses onto te canvas. 

 

The second group created simple compositions with large areas of color to evoke feelings of  contemplation and meditation within the viewer. They were inspired by religion and myth. This approach developed into what became known as color field painting, where artists used a single flat color in large areas. 

 

Instead of focusing on one artist for this movement, I wanted to share 4 different pieces of work by 4 different artists that I hope can bring you some inspiration (click on the artist for more information).

 

How do these pieces make you feel? What are the connections you see between this art movement and our prompt? What elements, shapes, colors, or techniques do you like and want to incorporate in your own work?

Cecily Brown, Untitled, 2009, oil on canvas

Top Left: Hans Hofmann, Such is the Way to the Stars (Sic Itur Ad Astra), 1962, oil on canvas

Top RIght: Helen Frankenthaler, Nature Abhors a Vacuum, 1973, acrylic on canvas

Jackson Pollock, Convergence, 1952, oil on canvas

This week make it a goal to take action on this prompt whether it's 10-15 minutes of playing, an hour of more concentrated work, a small area on a sketchbook page, or an entire page. Consider sharing what you create with our community here by emailing me a photo and brief description or sharing it on Instagram / social media if you are active and tagging me. 

 

If you feel stuck or have any questions, let me know! The check-in email will be sent out on Tuesday with a few more ideas to help you get inspired and creating.

 

Until then, have a wonderful weekend and I'll talk to you soon!