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
Universality of Abstract Painting refers more to its broad range of source than its’ general appeal. An artist who is attempting to paint in the abstract or more exactly, non-objectively does well to understand the source for inspiration. This source is a curious, visceral and energetic mix of both the sub-conscious and the conscious. The two co-mingle to create a visual form on canvas.
Carl Jung was the first to really probe and define the impact of our sub-conscious on our conscious selves. He discovered how vast and inter-connected our sub-conscious truly is, affecting our personal psyche and the many ‘choices’ we make as individuals. His extensive research discovered that it is our sub-conscious that primarily dictates our responses. Therefore by understanding and nurturing an awareness of our inner selves (our sub-conscious) we become more complete and more balanced individuals. More recent teachers such as Eckhardt Tolle have given us good tools to more directly be in touch with this inner development. He represents this evolution as a more correct means to view our lives – that of emphasizing our inner development over reliance on exterior form.
It is helpful for a painter of abstract work such as myself to understand these concepts because it provides an important road map to artistic progress. Universality in this context refers then to the broad range and depth that we can utilize within our own personal psyche. This association is similar to a meditation. It is getting in touch with our own inner selves but as Tolle points out, also connects us to a much broader and far reaching spiritual connection. This broader and deeper connection takes on a Universal characteristic. We become, by increments part of a larger whole, part of a greater understanding and part of a more Universal sense of those elements that are important and meaningful. Abstract painting then becomes a very direct way of manifesting important Universal concepts and developing feelings. This is one paramount reason why I am attracted to painting in abstracts and even non-objectively instead of painting known visual form. Painting non-objectively provides a platform for distilling these sub-conscious responses…the sub-conscious becomes manifested through paint and design. This characteristic then, the Universality of abstract painting becomes an important platform for the artist to work from.
I am less concerned with intellectualizing the process of painting but know that for some it helps to understand what happens in the painting episode. It makes for good discussion but not helpful for me to paint.