I have just started exploring my way into a new painting concept I’m calling “Obverstractions.” In this series I am attempting to marry my bent toward abstraction with my passion for nature and observationally driven works, balancing these few facts about myself as an artist:
I feel most “at home” and connected to my work when it’s abstract.
Painting with observation as a starting point works for me..
Observing the natural world closely is my biggest inspiration.
I desire to connect with a “live,” improvisational energy while painting
My first couple of small attempts have proved to be instructive and validating. I’ll write more about my process as the series progresses.
![](https://i0.wp.com/mprvmnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_1108.jpeg?resize=800%2C1024&ssl=1)
I was encouraged by the results of the first study (below) and doubly encouraged by the second (above). To me, #2 is more successful as it arrives closer to the destination I envisioned while also departing furthest from the initial observation. I am using my mindfulness training as a compass for doing these works, and I felt that with #2 I was able to embrace uncertainty more and get into a more connected improvisational state while still channeling the subject (or at least my view of it).
![](https://i0.wp.com/mprvmnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_1014.jpeg?resize=580%2C580&ssl=1)
Stay tuned for more of this work. I’d love to hear what you think of it.