Some artists argue that only non-objective art (no recognizable “object”) is abstract while others are less rigid. Everyone does seem to agree, however, that the term “Abstract” is used to describe a VERY WIDE range of art from completely non-objective imagery to very recognizable imagery.

Because of the overwhelming and infinite choices in pure abstraction, most abstract artists use limitations or constraints to help guide their work. Limitations can mean many things from focusing on a limited palette to narrowing your subject matter, to expressing emotions. More often than not, artists use a combination of several limitations.

Composition is very much about the relationship of the parts to each other and to the whole. For some artists, Design is a more comfortable word than Composition which can sound scholastic and rigid, so I will use these terms interchangeably.

Understanding the concept of Contrast is vital to good art making. Contrast can apply to all of the Elements of Design. Being aware of it while creating can help you with decisions and lead to better paintings. Let’s begin with the simple yet quite complex concept of “No Two Things The Same.”

Creating art is a dance with knowledge and emptiness. Ideally the foundations are so fully ingrained that the artist, while working, can feel an openness or emptiness, void of self-criticism and doubt, so that she/he can be present and mindful, responding to ideas, intuition, and emotions that present themselves.