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'I Don't Understand Abstracts'

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michael

Michael Edwards

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Why do people constantly say they don't like abstracts? Why do people constantly try to convert them into conventional images? I've just seen these sort of comments in the gallery and, I'm sorry, but it does get me going! Why can't they accept that they don't have to understand them. Usually there is nothing there to understand - just enjoy them for what they are, glorious patterns utilising great composition, shapes, palette, eye catching qualities etc etc Usually the very same people who say they don't like them, don't understand them, and don't want them in their houses are the very same people who have patterned shirts or blouses (or both!), and adorn their houses with patterned curtains, upholstery, are carpets. Are they seriously saying that if you put a frame around their favourite pattern they wouldn't like it any more ? 'For goodness sake' I hear myself shouting, 'come out of denial' . Clear your mind of the conventional and open it up to the exciting and liberating world of the abstract - not only can abstract paintings be exciting to look at but they are also such fun to paint and so liberating after years (says he with tongue in cheek) of painting the boring conventional.

John Kay

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I'm 100% with you Michael on this, you can put it down almost entirely to ignorance. Every interpretation is a sort of abstraction. Without some degree of abstraction every painting would be indistinguishable from a photograph. John

Donna Crane

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Thank you for bringing this up Michael. I am an abstract painter of sorts !! All my family could draw except me so I went into other craft work which I enjoyed. It was not until I lost my Mum 3 years ago I found that I was trying to find myself! I read in my local paper about a workshop about painting from your heart space. So I gave it a go and really enjoyed putting my feeling in paint on to a big canvas. After that 1 day I thought that I would carry on so bought paints and canvas and carried on. With a great deal of encouragement and support from a friend I kept on going did 2 more workshops and eventually my friend suggested I come on to this site which I did, which was scary as no one had seen my work apart from my friend. The support and encouragement from such talented and amazing people on here and my very dear friend I have progressed somewhat in nearly a year. I hope that I will continue to get the support and encouragement from you all which gives me the confidence to continue with my type of painting. My heartfelt thanks. Donna Crane
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Michael - I couldn't agree with you more if you paid me to...... there's an element of "I don't get it so it must be rubbish" going round at the moment, and I hope it's a short-lived virus. http://www.isleofwightlandscapes.net http://www.wightpaint.blogspot.co.uk

Derek Snowdon

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I was one who wouldn't give gallery time to abstracts. I maybe would glance at a Pollock, Auerbach. Since my stroke I now paint them occasionally. I can't explain why but Iam pleased.

Phil Kendall

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My art is abstract because that's what I call it... If you like it that's good... If you hate it that's good... I can't always explain my art, sometimes I even fail to understand it... If you don't understand it...you've got the problem not me. BUT then it's still art.