May Bouquet from Abstract Principles

I took the principles from the abstract paintings and applied them to a floral painting today.

Create an interesting white shape. Establish dark shape. Use a variety of shapes, blocky and organic. Establish dominance of shape, temperature, size.

Here is the underpainting, a "start."

Abstract 3

Abstract 3
24 x 18, watermedia on Arches

Abstract 2

Abstract 2
22 x 30, mixed aqua media

Inspired to Abstraction

Abstract 1.1
18 x 24, watercolor on Arches

It started with a few members of the Portland Plein Air and Studio Painters talking about their upcoming workshop with John Salminen. It was the week before the Watercolor Society of Oregon convention in Seaside, OR and the workshop was part of the convention agenda.

It continued when the three artists returned from the convention and workshop with beautiful samples of their abstract work from the workshop. As they described what they learned, they were talking over one another in their enthusiasm.

It built up even more when one of members acquired a DVD of the workshop, on design and composition, and another member hosted a viewing of the DVD.

It led to me painting this abstract based on the concepts I heard from the members and from the DVD.

So, a special thanks to Carolyn Rondthaler, Carrie Holst, and Donna Sanson. You went to the workshop with open minds and curiosity and a willingness to learn something new. And you shared that with others, like me, who caught your excitement and accepted the invitation to step out, step up, and go beyond what is already known to what might be.

Thank you!