January 3, 2011

I work in such an intuitive way; I a so enthralled by the movement and reactions to the paint that the work is more about the relationship to the medium than anything else. For the paint and mark-making dictate my actions and I respond to their direction. It is a language that I have learned to read and listen to as I create. I trust the paint, that it will direct my path in the creation of the work. If something is not working in the way I think it should go, then I have confidence that my experience with the medium will aid the development of the piece and it will eventually work itself out to completion. The way the paint moves and flows, the response to the heat, the mark-making, and the connection of the colors all work together to create a work of art that speaks to my in a non-verbal way. It speaks to me in a spiritual way, a visual way; a communication that speaks to my spirit. I believe that this relationship, this connection to the work reflects in some way my relationship with G-d. The trust with the direction of the paint is similiar to the direction and guidance I receive from the LORD.
It is hard to put into words a non-verbal communication. Even if I cannot articualte exactly what is happening with the work, it does not mean that the work is empty or hollow. This is true for much of abstract or non-objective art for the imagery that is seen and the lexis that is communicated within the piece translates the written or spoken language. Emotions, reactions, and responses are all contained within the imagery and symbolism of an abstract or non-objective work of art. Even if the work does not contain symbolism, the work is a response to the creative stimuli of the artist and makes it a part of the human condition. We as human beings have an intrinsic need to create - we're the only species on the planet that create intuitively. We are the only ones that express ourselves artistically without an outside facilitator. The need to create and the expressiveness within the various media that have been created for this expression all point to the nature of what it means to be human, to be a creative species. I also believe that this connects us to our Creator, the One who contains the ultimate creative spirit - the Bara.
The moment of the encounter with a work of abstraction and the moment of the response is very telling. The communication between the work and the viewer is very important. The various reactions to an abstract/non-objective work shows the evidence of this communication. The various reactions speak to the spirit to spirit communication that occurs between the artist and the viewer. Positive, negative, or even indifference are all reactions to what is happening with the artwork. The artist sometimes wishes for a specific reaction or sometimes the viewer is allowed to perceive the work in whatever context they desire. What is important is that the work was created and is many times is independent from any response the viewer may have. For if an artist creates a work with the viewer in mind, creates a work with the expectation of a specific response, then the art can suffer. I am speaking of works created within a fine art context, not a commercial art context. It can be created in an artificial environment, a forced environment, without true honesty from the artist. It is much better for the artist to remain true to themsleves, to the medium, to the original vision of the work regardless of the viewer's response. This is true honesty, this is true art making.
So in turn, my art speaks from my own experiences and artistic language. It expresses my response, my reaction, and sometimes my surprise to the medium. It expresses my humanness. I cannot always direct or contain it for the medium dictates many times the final outcome of the piece. The language is non-verbal; a visual language that communicates to and feeds my spirit and hopefully speaks to whoever receives the imagery of the work. The work is not always symbolic in content but is a reflection of my relationship with the paint. It is also a mirror of my relationship with my G-d and reminds me of the trust I have with the Divine. It is an interchange between me and the paint, an exchange that I hope is honest and forecoming with my creative experience.
Until next time, take care, enjoy, and G-d bless!