Gestation in Abstract Art

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

michael wilson

I am an abstract artist. My medium is oil painting, often painting on primed board. My wife and I live in San Diego, California.

Latest posts by michael wilson (see all)

• JORDAN RIVER - February 5, 2019
• Inspired Art - August 2, 2018
• Waiting for Inspiration - July 31, 2018
• The Bridge between Painting and Photography - July 31, 2018

We have all seen humorous cartoons of artists lazily sitting around waiting for inspiration to strike.  The wife or girlfriend is stirring a pot of beans, waiting as well,  but for money to buy groceries and essentials.  The article topic, Gestation in abstract art is something I have been thinking about for some time.  Gestation of course refers usually to the period of time a baby is in the womb, prior to birth.  However the term can be aptly applied to bringing forth an abstract work of art.

Because abstract art finds its source and inspiration from something other than nature, an entirely different set of constructions needs to occur.  These partially reside in our sub-conscious and come from a source that is not seen.  One can’t go out into the hills, set up the easel and begin to paint.  Abstract art heralds a different form that must first come from an inner resource.   I have learned to develop or allow to develop this important first step and I think it could be aptly called the ‘creative period of gestation’.  There is something stirring, an emotion or a feeling or a hint of some abstract form and this needs to develop internally.  Exterior references do not seem to help.

Earlier in my career I spent time designing homes.  There was always considerable time just thinking about the design before anything could be drawn.  Fortunately I was fairly good at visualization.  The process for painting, especially for painting abstracts is not too different.  Sometimes there is just a very brief glimpse or hint or direction or feeling.   If we can be very still we can internalize this and develop the image.  It is however impossible to develop the work completely, or even partially but it is possible to get a good ‘lock’ on an impression.  That impression or shape or form or feeling begins to go through this gestation process before it is eventually given birth or in artistic terms, manifested on canvas.

The  beauty and wonder of abstract painting is that once we provide the impetus to a painting,  a certain magic comes about and the painting begins to develop its’ own force and identity.  Sometimes there is a feeling that I am just the facilitator and that the painting begins to dictate which direction to go and which hues to incorporate.  This is a fantastic experience.  I suppose not unlike the process of seeing good jazz develop.