Abstract Art for Missions

I don't like putting titles on abstract art. I think that limits others' interpretations. 

I say that now because of this painting.

I've had several people tell me what they think it is: a black hole, a galaxy, a solar system, a whirlpool in the mud, the pull of sin.

And then they say, "What is it?" and expect me to tell them if they were right or if I had some other idea behind it. I think they would be very disappointed to know that sometimes a person just creates art and that there isn't a definitive answer of "what" it is.

But they say that art - good art - elicits a response from its viewers. I personally don't care what you decide this painting represents as long as you like it and spend a little time studying it. It can have some very deep meanings. :-)

Here's a closeup of a part of it.

I don't think that you can tell from the pictures, but there are three or four different kinds of gold paint on it. Some of the gold is a glaze that only shows when you look at it from the side instead of straight on. It's one of the things I like about it. 

The bright gold is gold leaf.

The only way to get my big easel to hold this painting is with the top down. I'm glad we had some good weather in April for "top down."

Oh. And the mission part? This painting was in our Silent Auction - Art for Missions at Hilldale Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN. 

The final bid on this painting was $175. 

All went to help our mission team going to Portugal.

Abstract Art Evokes Wide Range of Responses

I always enjoy seeing the variety of responses that I get when I post a picture of an abstract painting on Facebook and ask  "what would you name this painting?"

Here is the painting I posted with that question yesterday.

16x20 acrylic and gold leaf on gallery wrapped canvas

Some are very clever or insightful - others, not so much. It's interesting that some are very concrete "elephant" while others are more, well, abstract. Ha!


One person "shared" my painting on her timeline and wrote this.
"Genesis. Because it seems to be the beginning of a beautiful event or series... of paintings. ?
This image leads me to see a sequence of paintings, each one more defined and less subtle than the previous..."Which received these responses.
that's good....
get busy Lyndel
Perspective 1 and then continue on with perspective 2 and so on through series.

What are your thoughts?

Here are some of the other responses.

Asian-Pacific Islands

Birch

Golden Elephant.

It reminds me of an aspen tree.

A forest in the winter that someone accidentally spilled gold paint on.

The bigger blob (is blob offensive, none intended) looks kinda like Japan. So I'd go with 金の島 (pronounced kin no shima).

Warming by fire on snowy night

Narnia. Kind of looks like a map from far and a snowy winter land closer

Gold Rush

I see an elephant climbing a tree, and an owl.

Gold Rush

Life is a Puzzle. Only you can connect the pieces

Spirits gathering

Regeneration or renewal

Running Man

It's kangaroos hopping!

I see dogs rejoicing!!!

Awakening....like you're opening your eyes from a dream to a warm, glowing room.

Twilight Dawning

archipelago

What Lies Beneath

Refined

The gold in the left looks like an angel. On the right it looks like a horse drawn chariot flying upwards. With all the cloudy white background, I'd call it Highway to Heaven.

Forest of Shadows

Ok I'm weird but I see a happy small elephant on its hind legs facing left smack dab in the center. I also see other small animal faces. I also dream weird so maybe disregard everything I just said lol. It's very pretty!

I saw the same thing! But I have weird dreams too LOL

I did see the face of a snow leopard....

map of countries

 (He's doing tests on us!)

I also saw an elephant on first glance!

"Global Warming"

Renewal

Golden dawn....

Flecks

Gilligan's islands--hahahahaha

There I was!!!!

Royalty

Peeling paint

Golden Globe

Looks like mud splattered on a frosty window pane....just saying!

Silver Lining

The Chase

Snow Echo

Whisper

On a Rampant Field . . .

There is an elephant there!

'Layers'. The layers of life and wisdom are built by experience and revealed by the scars. The deepest scars reveal the most valuable layers.

The Lost Empire

Heavy metal

'Wall section from abandoned hotel lobby'

My first thoughts were "Chasing Rainbows"

Playing in the snow.

Psalm 46:10

Ok Lyndel, it's got an elephant. 3 confirmations of an elephant sighting. Linda makes 3

Golden Veins.

Global warming

Separation of the Continents

Spirited Away

Gold in the mist ....

Rivers of dreams!

May I turn it on the left end?

Pangea! (that's the science teacher coming out)

Breaks on Marblehead

Evening Splendor

Beauty in Gold

Tile

The Dance of the Elephants.

running with elephant in a storm

The World

Wall with torn wallpaper!!

The lady and the fox.

Scampering...

Hidden Treasure

Global glitz.

Snow Covered Golden Forrest.

Gold Rush

Shadowed riches

Pure Animal

Life's a Circus

Marble

Nebula

(If you read this post earlier, I've changed the name from "Galaxy" to "Nebula.")

I've been experimenting with gold leaf and acrylics. I didn't have a outer space in mind when I made this painting, but it kind of reminds me of pictures I've seen at the planetarium or from Hubble. 

I don't suppose paintings have to have names...... but I'm calling this one "Nebula."

It is acrylic and gold leaf on a 16x20 canvas.

It has a gold sheen that changes how it looks from different directions and different lighting. 

Here it is hanging up in our bonus room.

Nebula on Wikipedia

Dancing Light

Just listed in my Etsy shop http://www.bearhollowcreations.etsy.com/

Here's a link to it http://tinyurl.com/d8ctnk

An abstract painting that will make you want to dance! Vibrant colors make a beautiful backdrop for a dancing wave of light. This large 30"x40" original acrylic painting will brighten any room and make you want to dance too. Perfect behind your sofa or as a great focal piece in any room you want to liven up.The studio edges are painted black so the piece is ready to hang without a frame.This is an original painting, copyrighted by me, all rights reserved. Please keep in mind that computer monitors show color a bit differently. I make every effort to show true colors, but cannot control those differences. I do ship internationally.Your purchase is risk free! You have 7 days to return your painting if you are not pleased with it.

Thanks to everyone who played my "name the art" game. Several of you mentioned "light" or referenced it and several mentioned "dancing," so I went with Jordanka's suggestions of "dancing light." I'll send an ACEO out to her.

Abstract Treble Clef

I just listed this painting in my Etsy shop. http://www.bearhollowcreations.etsy.com/

Treble Clef

Here's the description as worded in my Etsy shop:

This acrylic painting has the beautiful look of watercolor. It is approximately 9 x 12 and will look great with a mat that has an opening of 8 1/2 x 11 1/2. The treble clef and other lines were first drawn on canvas with oil pastels and then the soft acrylic colors were painted on top.Perfect for the music lover in your life or to add some soft color to your favorite room.

Take the Quiz

Here's a little art quiz for you. How are these two paintings alike? There are ten points possible. You get points for each correct guess, so think of several ways that they are alike.

Treble Clef

Untitled (so far) Suggestions?

Here are some of the answers I thought of and how many points you get for each.

Someone said, "What do you get if you win?"

Glory. That's always worth something.

If you said:

They are both by Lyndel Littleton you get 1 pt for guessing something probably obvious (since it is my art blog).

They are both beautiful - 2 pts for brown nosing and also being correct. :)

They are both abstract - only 1 pt for guessing something reallly obvious.

They are both painted with acrylic paint - 2 pts since the top one looks like it could be water color.

They are both painted with brushes - you lose 2 pts. The bottom one was painted with a pallete knife.

They are both in Lyndel's Etsy shop www.bearhollowcreations.etsy.com - zero points. They aren't there now but will probably end up there.

They were painted with the same paints - 4 pts! Good call. Here are the paints I used for both paintings. Go back and look again. Cool, huh? You can spend a ton of money buying all kinds of tubes of paint to get lots of different colors, or you can just get the basic primary colors plus white and mix your own!

Basics by Liquitex - Cadmium Red Deep Hue, Cobalt Blue Hue, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue, Hooker's Green Hue Permanent, and Titanium White. I really like this paint. It's nice and thick and creamy and mixes beautifully.

Now go to the poll over there on the side and enter how many points you got. You can leave a comment if you want to share your opinion about the quiz or the answers and points. You may have thought of something else and want to get credit.

Painting Abstracts

I'm trying something new!

I bought a book called "Painting Abstracts - ideas, projects and techniques" by Rolina van Vliet (C) Search Press 2008. I really like it. I'm sure I will mostly paint "realistic" paintings, but I think the concepts and the freedom of expression found in abstract painting will enhance my other paintings as I incorporate them into new works.

I called my lovely wife and said, "I'm reading my new book and trying out the suggested exercises. The book said not to worry about making art - that we are practicing, not producing art yet."

To which my wife replied, "how will you know when you've made art?"

"I don't know!" was my answer.

Here's my first exercise. It is acrylic paint on Canva-paper put on with a palette knife rather than brushes.

Is it art? Hmmmm, maybe. Feel free to leave a comment and give me your thoughts.

Oh, here's what the back cover of the book says,

"Clear, challenging and inspiring, this book contains instructions for 65 abstract painting that you can get to wok on straightaway, with no previous experience. All the basic information relating to picture elements, composition, theme and design is provided at the start of the book, together with an exploration of the meaning of abstract painting, and its importance as a means of self-expression and creativity.

Rather than providing step-by-step instructions, each of the exercises consists of information on method, materials, technique, composition, imagery and structure, which will direct you to the finished piece while at the same time encouraging your creativity."

That's a lot ot promise, but it looks like it will deliver.