I’ve worked for several weeks on a huge oil painting that’s going to hang in the waiting room of one of my husband’s clinics. I used a photo from the web for a reference and then I let my imagination run away.
In fact, hubby and I took a quick trip down the Natchez Trace last Friday to determine if my downward sloping road with pine trees opening on the right to reveal a very blue Ross Barnett Reservoir even existed. It doesn’t. That’s OK with me though.
To me, art is about life as the individual sees it or wishes to see it. I believe a work of art should be eye catching and inspire the viewer to think—maybe about the time, the place, or the event—or to imagine the smell, taste, or feel of what’s represented (a pleasant thing, I hope).
So when it was suggested to me that I consider trying to do a poured acrylic painting for the same space, I was astonished. I mean, it doesn’t seem to take a whole lot of talent to select some colors and throw them on a blank canvas, right?
Over the past few days, I’ve been watching youTube videos about how and what to add to acrylic paint to get it to level out once it’s poured. Did you know that there are a ton of different techniques?
Honestly, it doesn’t take much thought or preparation. I only needed to buy little plastic cups in which to mix the paints with the medium. Then it was a matter of selecting a few colors, finding a few stirrers, a small canvas and another smaller wood board, gloves, Floetrol (which I had in the garage from a project a few years ago), and something to cover the work surface. It is MESSY!
While my daughter was entranced in an Algebra II class on Zoom, I poured the two pieces using the same colors but two different techniques. I’ll admit that it was fun; I felt like I was a kid again playing with spinner art. (Would you frame and hang spinner art?) Imagine my surprise when my daughter poked her head in the room and exclaimed, “Oh, wow! I love it! Can I put the small one in my room?”
How do you define art? I’m stumped. Is it possible that art can be defined as something that brings joy or a moment of reflection to both the artist and the viewer? Does it have to require so much time and effort to be considered good art? Perhaps the abstract has a broader appeal because it’s so open to interpretation? I honestly don’t know.
All I know is that what I consider “good” art brings a calmness and serenity to my soul, whether I’m creating it or admiring it. It’s usually art that reflects the glory of God’s creation, and I feel so blessed to be able to create my own version, always aspiring to do it with more authenticity.
However you feel about art, I hope and pray that your day overflows with the beauty of God’s goodness!
Neat look!