Art Journey - Abstract Painting: A Celebration of Contemporary Art
Product ID: 320156849
An Inspired Collection of the Best of Abstract Art! Abstract art is a visual language--a riot of color, a profound explosion of texture and shape, a quiet collision of forms. Dynamic works of art can showcase pastel painting, showcase watercolor flowers, or even build off pen and ink drawings. Abstract artists are limited only by their imagination. And through instinct, composition and an inspired color palette, they translate emotions, ideas or experiences into immersive images you want to explore again and again. This book is a stunning volume of more than 100 award-winning abstract works showcasing the colorful and expressive nature of contemporary abstract art. Pieces have been hand-selected from the Pastel Journal 's Pastel 100 competitions and The Artist's Magazine 's annual competitions, hard-bound to provide years of beauty and enjoyment. Each painting is accompanied by an insightful critique from the artist. You may discover oil painting tips, watercolor techniques, details about creative process, artistic inspiration, and revelations on why abstraction is an important art form. "You need passion and dedication to do abstract work and that is really my best advice to aspiring artists. You have to let your heart and emotion lead you to where you want to go." --Denise Athanas, page 11 "For me abstract art can teach us about the beauty that lies deep within all our experience, often unseen until we change our perspective, remove our usual filters and allow our hearts and minds to open to the wonders of life." --Patricia Bevan, page 15 Review: Excellent and unusual collection of paintings - Most collections of abstract paintings lean very heavily in the direction of oil on linen, many of which are so self-conscious that they quit being art. Not this one. For once I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of paintings made with pastels, some even with watercolor, and plenty of mixed media. The result, IMO, was a lot of truly interesting abstract paintings instead of the usual dreary, puffed-up zombie formalism. I especially like the biomorphic abstracts. Very inspiring. Review: Wonderful Book - I like the short essays where the artists discuss their work. These little essays is juxtaposed to the image they are discussing. I like the quality of the images. Having said that a page in a book never compares with the real work. This book is a good introduction/guide/reference for anybody interested in abstract art. It helps to open the mind and guide the hand that holds the brush.
| Customer Reviews | 4.3 out of 5 stars 50 Reviews |
H**H
Excellent and unusual collection of paintings
Most collections of abstract paintings lean very heavily in the direction of oil on linen, many of which are so self-conscious that they quit being art. Not this one. For once I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of paintings made with pastels, some even with watercolor, and plenty of mixed media. The result, IMO, was a lot of truly interesting abstract paintings instead of the usual dreary, puffed-up zombie formalism. I especially like the biomorphic abstracts. Very inspiring.
A**R
Wonderful Book
I like the short essays where the artists discuss their work. These little essays is juxtaposed to the image they are discussing. I like the quality of the images. Having said that a page in a book never compares with the real work. This book is a good introduction/guide/reference for anybody interested in abstract art. It helps to open the mind and guide the hand that holds the brush.
J**๏ฟฝ
Art Journey - Abstract Painting.
These publications from North Light Books are always pleasant to look through, though they are very predictably mainstream in content. This volume showcases abstract work; it's certainly colourful enough and as expected it is completely dominated by American artists. 89 artists are represented with over 100 works reproduced in large colour plates. A fair range of approaches are taken with oils, acrylics and mixed-media all represented โ and a surprisingly large number of works executed in pastel; I found this interesting, as I used pastel for a period in my own abstract work โ it isn't a particularly spontaneous medium to paint in, so it often reveals the artist's process in constructing the work. I don't see their inclusion as a negative factor in assessing this collection. This is a large and fairly well-presented volume (there are a couple of out of focus photos that detract a little from the usual high standard) the โlook insideโ option above gives a pretty good idea of the kind of work included. Rather an expensive book, but it may be of interest to those who are perhaps contemplating experimenting with abstraction in their own work.
A**R
Five Stars
I found it to be a very good book.
C**E
Pedestrian.
Poss even just 2 stars. The pictures are ok, but there are far more pastels than any other medium. The words are pedestrian. The same questions, unispired as they are, asked virtually of every artist. It would have been much more interesting to just allow them to talk.
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