What are you supposed to see?

Guess what? Your DNA is hard wired to detect hidden leopards in the underbrush. It's for your survival — even if you’re not on a savannah. It’s your brain’s “kneejerk” reaction, and it's not doing you any favors if you're really trying to enjoy abstract art. It’s messing with you.  

The next time you find yourself picking out a gorilla wearing a top hat in an abstract painting, just stop. You’re missing ALLLL the good stuff. Abstract art asks us to get past that impulse and experience the art differently. That’s why it makes so many people uncomfortable, or confused or annoyed or just plain mystified. How do you overcome that powerful impulse and really enjoy what other people see in an abstract piece? Especially if you're at an opening and the artist walks up all proud and beaming, trying to make conversation. What are you supposed to say? 

I think I can help.

I'm an abstract painter. I have my own criteria for "seeing" it, my own way of feeling what an artist may be invoking. Everyone is different. But I can share a set of elements I like to look for. I think it'll help you find your way in to the good stuff, even if you've never been sure about abstract painting. At a minimum, I can help you know what to say to an artist whose work you may or may not like. 

For now, let's start there. Start with a question, not a statement. Here are a few good ones:

  • What were you feeling when you painted this?

  • What does the (insert a color you see in the painting) mean for you?

  • If you could place this anywhere in the world, where would you hang it? Why?

You’ll have an interesting conversation, and you might find more common ground than you think. That should hold you until my next post. I promise I’m going to make your encounters with abstract art so much better from here on out. Follow this blog and see.