Jan Stommes Fine Art

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10/16/2012 7:36:41 AM

How is it decided what is "good" abstract art?

Jan Stommes / 25 Comments


What appeals to me in abstract art you might not be attractive you, but that’s true for realism as well, so how is it decided what is “good” abstract art and who determines if it is “good”?

My blog readers, I ask for your help. I hope some of you can help me to understand abstract art. I have section on my FASO website that I call ’Conceptual’ where I stable my wild beasts of emotional art. These abstract pieces are not what I am known for. Putting aside my more analytical self, I call on emotion to dictate what goes on to the canvas. Since I am a colorist, the color in my conceptual pieces is my connection to my other work. If you look at my artwork as a whole, color is what unites my paintings.

In my last blog,   “The Pyramid Of Knowledge Is Always Growing” I explain how I try to always grow in my art awareness. Usually there are basic guidelines to follow when starting a new medium, technique or genre. However, I am at a loss when it comes to abstract art.  Classical music guides the rhyme of my brushwork.  My innate color sense directs the choice of paint selection. I get the painting to a point where I feel like I have accomplished what I wanted to do. However, how do I know if it is “good”? Nothing that I have found on the Internet, so far, helps me to appraise my abstract art. Have you come across some webpages that explain how abstract art can be evaluated?

In painting a portrait, human or animal, mistakes in proportion are very obvious, even to the untrained eye. Landscapes have rules of perspective to follow. How do I grow as an abstract artist if I don’t know what the rules are? How can I tell if I am making progress?  Ultimately, how will I know if a gallery would like my artwork? Are there certain guidelines that they follow in accepting abstract paintings?

Abstract art reminds me of math. When I was tutoring math, I really disliked the ‘guess and check’ method. Give me a formula any day. I don’t like guessing if something is right, I want to know the procedure to make it right. If someone tries to move an object that I have painted in one of my trompe-l'œil paintings, I know that I have completely fooled them into thinking that the object was real, so I have met my goal. But what I am to look for in my abstract pieces that let me know that I have created something of merit?

Jellyfish Abstract combines my love of science and art. When we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California I saw the most beautiful complementary colors in the jellyfish exhibits. The unique patterns of the long trailing tentacles of this  particular jellyfish on display were inspiring. Instead of crafting a scientific illustration of this curiously created creature I chose to give my impression of it through an abstract interpretation.

Maybe there are no rules when it comes to abstract art. What do you think?

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25 Responses to How is it decided what is "good" abstract art?

To me, abstract art needs to be seen with furniture, in lobbies, conference rooms, upscale homes in order for their purpose to become obvious. By themselves they look strange but placed in the right environment, there's noting more striking. When I paint my abstracts, I have a particular piece of furniture or a particular place in mind. I suggest not looking for answers from people but rather look for environments that make your abstract shine -- that's who you should be talking to. I'm relatively new at this myself and my website is being worked on as I speak. Hence, If you go there, ignore my statement; I'm in the process of changing it and my bio. Also, I find it's hard to talk about abstract, especially non-objective abstracts...making blogging more difficult. My best advice is show your abstracts in the environments mentioned above and talk about why they look great in that environment. I don't care what other people think I love abstracts that are well placed. Hope this helps.

Posted by Frank L Stapleton · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

As an abstract artist myself I believe the criteria for "good" abstract art is close to determines "good" realism. I can look at a landscape or wildlife painting or portrait and see the talent BUT if it doesn't speak to me somewhere inside - I don't like it. For the same reason this is why I like abstract art - it requires the viewer to experience it without thinking "that doesn't look like an ear". They must experience it.

Posted by Jane Robinson · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

The basic rules of composition, color, texture, light, balance, and movement still apply. Good brushwork may actually be more important in an abstract or non-objective piece than in representational work.

Hard-edge, geometrical abstracts or juicy, loose, painterly work have all of this in common with any other good piece of work. The Golden Mean comes to mind, as well.

In other words, trust your artist instincts.

btw, although I taught art for years, I am just beginning to explore abstraction, and am looking for ways to combine it with realistic representational images. Still, the rules are the same.

Posted by Karen Lockert · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Thank you for your comments! These are all great....I appreciate your taking the time to reply to my blog.

~ Jan

Posted by Jan Stommes · via janstommes.fineartstudioonline.com · 167 months ago

I think the answer varies as to what different folks think defines good abstract art. I personally feel that all forms of art are best judged by whether or not the work creates a connection to which people can relate. Abstract art uses color, shape, form, and texture as a means of expression.

I don't think there is a set of rules like proportion, etc. we can apply to abstract art. In a very real sense, abstract art is about expressing feeling and emotion in visible form. Sometimes we do that with intent and purpose--at other times, we discover in what simply happens a direction to go.

I do primarily abstract work (imagesaccordingtojohn.com). This discussion merits more than I can provide in a simple response. If you'd like to start a dialogue about this, feel free to contact me--I'd love to discuss more fully with you. John

Posted by John G. Anderson · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Hi Jan, I can totally relate to your article. My Mom is an abstract painter and I draw and paint realistically, but love to dabble in the abstract. Karen said it perfectly that the basic rules apply. My Mom and I have discussed this as well... line, balance, temperature, value apply for both, but with abstract you don't have a "subject", i.e. tree, mountain, horse, whatever, to work around. I think this makes abstract more difficult in many ways. My advice would be to find an abstract artist that you like, pick out a piece that really moves you and figure out why you like it. What is it that makes you respond to it? What makes it really sing? As you and I well know, art is very subjective, but keeping true to the basics, study a particular piece that you really like by another artist, figure out why you think something works (or doesn't) and it can at least be a start in figuring out what makes it good. Great article!

Posted by Lorrie Beck · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Hi Jan, my advice is to order a copy of Edward Betts' "Master Class in Water Media" if you don't already have one. Doesn't matter what your medium is, this book will provide a very useful reference written by a master watercolorist who is equally adept at painting abstracts in acrylics (and other water media)and collage. Two chapters in particular may be of interest; "Painting from nature toward abstraction", and "Painting from abstraction toward nature". He also confirms some earlier comments; that the basic fundamentals of a well constructed painting remain unchanged regardless of style or subject chosen. But, what is "good" will always be in the eye of the beholder. Peace!

Posted by Merv Cole · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

The more I think about it, the more I think it is futile to try to establish any objective criteria for what constitutes "good" abstract art. It seems to me that abstract art frequently shatters the whole concept of rules and criteria. It flies in the face of being pinned down. It is not simply a matter of "craftsmanship"--it goes beyond simply being about the process--it even defies the idea of composition.

I recommend looking at "GERHARD RICHTER: A LIFE IN PAINTING" by Dietmer Elger, and also 'GERHARD RICHTER: WRITINGS 1961-2007" as very good reading material. Richter is, in most peoples' judgment, the greatest living abstract artist. Both his words and his images are a great place to explore this wondrous frontier of abstract art.

"Good" will always be in the eye of the beholder whether art is pure abstract or not--after all--all art is, in some sense, abstract. It's really a matter of how the art connects to those who see it.

After all, remember that some of the greatest artists were ridiculed in their time--some even had their work mockingly auctioned in Paris for pennies--but today they are considered masters. Van Gogh never mastered the art of perspective in the traditional sense (look at The Potato Eaters).

If you have a passion for abstraction follow it--and don't worry about who is going to define it as good or bad art. Be true to your heart-and hopefully you will speak to the hearts of others--and that's good whether the world ever recognizes it or not. John

Posted by John G. Anderson · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

I work as an abstract artist because there are no rules, no agendas. It can be as simple as when looking at the particular piece it makes me feel good. Maybe it creates a calmness. Maybe it is loud and boisterous. It's about a feeling...

Posted by Steven Long · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Wow! Thank you all for your great feedback! I have some great artists to look up and some wonderful books to read. I really appreciate you all taking the time to respond to my blog with your great suggestions...... like I said, Wow!

Best regards,

Jan

Posted by Jan Stommes · via janstommes.fineartstudioonline.com · 167 months ago

The comment above about Edward Betts is right on. He is no longer alive, but was a fabulous abstract painter in my opinion. I do not have his book, but will order it today if I can find it on amazon.com.
Another book I have loved is 'Celebrate your Creative Self' by Mary Todd Beam. This book includes water media and collage. I like the freedom of doing non-objective work after years of traditional painting and drawing. The elements of design can apply to all art.

Posted by Joan Dorrill · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Wonderful comments to this excellent blog! I can't wait to read the cited works. My personal criteria for my own work has always been "does it make me smile". If so, it is done and worth marketing. If not, back to the proverbial drawing board.
Best to all.

Posted by Pat Finley · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Thank you, Joan and Pat for your comments! I can't believe my stats on my analytics page that show how many people read my blog about abstract art. People from all over the world have read it! I had no idea that there was so much interest in analyzing abstract art.

Thanks, again, to all of you that have shared you comments. I have purchased some books on Amazon that were recommended.... I can't wait for them to arrive.

~Jan

Posted by Jan Stommes · via janstommes.fineartstudioonline.com · 167 months ago

Some of the things: 1)Orphic...Orphic means that instead of saying 'oh look it is a painting of a dog I like dogs thus I like this painting', that somehow the painting or sculpture expresses the gestalt of dogness...A layered piece of tiny brushstrokes of just something that looks like shaggy fur, maybe with a cloud of puppy breath and some warmth...Orphic means it expresses the subject to your guts, or your heart, without requiring translation...
2)Technique...Did it take you a month to paint in those tiny fur lines or did it take you an hour to slop the paint on in a cool pattern? Labour...This is more for collectors, but it also helps you with your own sense of self...When you work really hard at something it is harder to dismiss...Plus it is easier to justify a good price...
3)Originality of type of expression...I used a Venn Diagram concept in one of my paintings...truth is the canvas at 3 x4 feet was still not big enough for my whole subject...So I squished it in by overlapping subject like in Venn Diagram circles...I thought that was pretty cool and so do other people...Math is neat...
4)The message: is the message good, does it convey, is it timeless or short term...Is it powerful or feeble?
5)Materials: eco-friendly, archival, sustainable wood, did you build it yourself? Copper tacks or just staples? I see abstract art often cheats a bit on materials...Use the really good stuff...
6)If you don't "feel" like expressing yourself in an abstract way, don't...Sometimes realism is what you need...My start in abstract expressionism came from a religious thing- I didn't want to do likenesses...Many come from there...I have mellowed about this...But if you don't have the need, then don't feel pressured...It's not for everyone...But much of reality is quite abstract, so it is a good skill to have for all artists...

Posted by Sari · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Thank you, Sari, for sharing your great ideas. You have some excellent concepts . I have so much fun creating my abstract/conceptual pieces that I guess that somehow I feel like I am "cheating" when I create them. Art is a process and a journey, in my mind, and I have a lot to learn!

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my blog!

~Jan

Posted by Jan Stommes · via janstommes.fineartstudioonline.com · 167 months ago

Jan,
I too am an Abstractionist. As far as I feel, ART, especially the form we have chosen, is full of upset and misdirection. It takes a long time for work to be taken as good abstract art. As art is lots of hard work in the creation and then the act of finding the right venue to use in order to create a good source of income. It takes more and more as each day is a learning situation. Work your craft, hone your abilities and find someone to you to spend more time at the easel. Art is always a living, learning action. And, like a shark if it stops moving it dies, so be that shark, use the net, send out all sorts of attention getting venues if possible.
But the one thing I reccommend is to always seeek , other artists, art schools , go tto school and put yourself right in the middle of whatever it is, where you can draw experience and an increasing knowledge of your craft.
YOU WILL LEARN TO SEE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A FIRST CLASS ARTIST,BY CONSTANTLY SEARCHING. tO MOST IT IS ELUSIVE AND TO SOME IT SEEMS EFFORTLESS.
As you said the are no set rules, but there are ways of accomplishing your works that include all of what it takes to be that which you search.

Posted by Harv · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Jan...1)The word "Conceptual" in terms of art genres is very specific...Take a look at some of the examples in the wikipedia on Conceptual Art...You may know this already, and are using the term for reason...Just checking that you know the whys...
2)In that section, which you might have called "Abstract" or perhaps better "Abstract Expressionism", you have several different styles in there...The loose Pollock, then the Minimalist textured, then the Mondrian grids...If you pursue an Expressionist path, you need to find a voice...Your voice...Consistency of voice is helpful to your audience...Although I might add, it is very hard to hear an abstract voice when surrounded by realism...Will people take your abstracts seriously when they are beside such powerful realistic works? (For the record, your abstract works, to my eye, are really quite great, considering your modesty...)
3) Get some sheets of wax...The kind you see at craft stores to roll into candles...That is nice to work with on your hands...or if you prefer some other soft modelling clay...The self-hardening stuff is nice...Then try to make some of the abstract forms you have in your paintings into little sculptures...This will engage another part of your brain and help you in a tactile way to feel shapes...Then go back and try your abstracts again...Sculpting really helps alot with painting...Your shapes end up with more depth...

Posted by Sari · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Thank you, Sari, for your suggestions. The term “Conceptual” on my website does not refer to Conceptual art as an art form, but refers to one of the definitions of conceptual, meaning relating to concepts, which are formed in the mind. That is why I did not add "art" after it. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know your thoughts. I like the idea for forming 3D images. I do like trying new things.

Thank you, for your kind comments about my abstract pieces. I guess since I am an eclectic person, my voice is one that does not like to be pigeon-holed, so all of my work is eclectic, including my abstract pieces.

~Jan

Posted by Jan Stommes · via janstommes.fineartstudioonline.com · 167 months ago

Hmmm ....not sure why Conceptual come out that way on my response.... but you get the drift.

~Jan

Posted by Jan Stommes · via janstommes.fineartstudioonline.com · 167 months ago

Thanks Jan...I was actually going to delete my comment after, realizing that the internet makes things sound colder than I mean to...I forget sometimes when to shut up...

Anyways, Twitter sent me an interesting person to follow this evening- this was her profile:
Judy Rey Wasserman
@judyrey
Founder and artist of Post Conceptual Art and UnGraven Image theory.
I am guessing she is still "all in" in this kind of stuff, if you want to go further...
I drifted away from abstract a little over the years, because Canada is, well, not New York, in its favouring of abstract...
All the best, Sari

Posted by Sari · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Sari.... I only thought you were being helpful... remember, I am a scientist by training, so much of the art world is a mystery to me. I appreciate your explanation about Conceptual art.. I will look up Judy Rey Wasserman on the Internet.Thanks for suggesting her as a reference for study. I sure wish I had access to the Internet the 20 years ago when I was trying to teach myself!! I will probably always be a realist, but abstract art really intrigues me. Believe me, I don't know anyone who like abstract art, let alone MY abstract art, except my husband :D

Thank you, so much, for all of your helpful suggestions!

~Jan

Posted by Jan Stommes · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Oh, funny, http://ungravenimage.com/ She (Judy Rey Wasserman), is using Hebrew letters, like text from Genesis, as the brushstrokes for a sort of figurative painting...Each brushstroke is a letter/symbol...There's a video on that link that explains her thing, with reference to science and string theory you might like...
So, like, she has found a way to be abstract and figurative at the same time...Smart lady! (I crossover alot now too- vague images in an abstract soup)...

Posted by Sari · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

http://www.marilynharding.com/2012/04/13/avant-garde-art-pink-slime-or-prime-rib/ While I'm talking too much, I thought I'd add here, I met a wonderful art dealer yesterday (actually not sure if she likes the word dealer), and found this terrific post on her blog that also has two very funny videos (must see both) about some of the ridiculousness of (much of it abstract)art... :)

Posted by Sari · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Thanks, Sari.... I'll check it out..
~Jan

Posted by Jan Stommes · via janstommesart.com · 167 months ago

Prof. Prem raj Pushpakaran writes -- 2024 marks the birth centenary year of V.S. Gaitonde and let us celebrate the occasion!!! https://worldarchitecture.org/profiles/gfhvm/prof-prem-raj-pushpakaran-profile-page.html

Posted by Prof. Prem raj Pushpakaran · via janstommesart.com · 20 months ago

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