I'm always trying to improve. Always.
Towards that end, I've come up with a little art challenge for myself. I'm calling it "4×4 Abstracts" and I'm pretty sure the name gives you a clear idea on what the project is about: creating 4×4 abstract art pieces.
My goals:
- Explore abstract art.
- Explore different styles.
- Take risks.
- Work quickly.
- Don't overthink it.
- Develop my abstract eye.
- Focus on composition.
- Make new art.
So far I've created five pieces. They're all interesting to me for different reasons. I wonder if they'll be interesting to you?
This is about as monochromatic as I get. It was tough for me not to rely on color to spark up the composition. A good exercise and one I will probably repeat again and again.
I feel like I'm beginning to understand what Ellsworth Kelly and Barnett Newman were chasing with all those stripes…. It's a fascinating puzzle to figure out how much you can say with the simplest of shapes.
I was trying really hard not to work with any recognizable shapes and yet this piece seems to have a submarine running through the middle of it…or maybe an airplane?
Wild style change, right? I have a lot of trouble leaving white space and so I challenged myself to create a composition that allowed for empty space to exist.
Still exploring white space, but in a slightly more textured style. This piece features stamping — the red targets are Art Foamies and the black stamps along the edge are hand carved stamps. It's a primary palette (red, yellow, blue) and yet slightly off because of the greyed tones of the colors.
I plan to continue with this project for the rest of 2018. I'm excited to see where I'll be at the end of the year!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love that you constantly try new things and work at mastering a new skill. Wish I had a 1/4 of your dedication and motivation. I think I’m going to try something similar….working small might help too. I’ve been sketching faces..albeit very very bad faces…lol
So instead of randomly drawing them here and there in a sketch book, I think I will try putting them on a 4×4 or 6×6 substrate. Are you using paper or canvas tiles?
On another note….are you coming to teach in CT or MA this year?
I love that you constantly try new things and work at mastering a new skill. Wish I had a 1/4 of your dedication and motivation. I think I’m going to try something similar….working small might help too. I’ve been sketching faces..albeit very very bad faces…lol
So instead of randomly drawing them here and there in a sketch book, I think I will try putting them on a 4×4 or 6×6 substrate. Are you using paper or canvas tiles?
On another note….are you coming to teach in CT or MA this year?
I love that you constantly try new things and work at mastering a new skill. Wish I had a 1/4 of your dedication and motivation. I think I’m going to try something similar….working small might help too. I’ve been sketching faces..albeit very very bad faces…lol
So instead of randomly drawing them here and there in a sketch book, I think I will try putting them on a 4×4 or 6×6 substrate. Are you using paper or canvas tiles?
On another note….are you coming to teach in CT or MA this year?
I love that you constantly try new things and work at mastering a new skill. Wish I had a 1/4 of your dedication and motivation. I think I’m going to try something similar….working small might help too. I’ve been sketching faces..albeit very very bad faces…lol
So instead of randomly drawing them here and there in a sketch book, I think I will try putting them on a 4×4 or 6×6 substrate. Are you using paper or canvas tiles?
On another note….are you coming to teach in CT or MA this year?
I love that you constantly try new things and work at mastering a new skill. Wish I had a 1/4 of your dedication and motivation. I think I’m going to try something similar….working small might help too. I’ve been sketching faces..albeit very very bad faces…lol
So instead of randomly drawing them here and there in a sketch book, I think I will try putting them on a 4×4 or 6×6 substrate. Are you using paper or canvas tiles?
On another note….are you coming to teach in CT or MA this year?
I love that you constantly try new things and work at mastering a new skill. Wish I had a 1/4 of your dedication and motivation. I think I’m going to try something similar….working small might help too. I’ve been sketching faces..albeit very very bad faces…lol
So instead of randomly drawing them here and there in a sketch book, I think I will try putting them on a 4×4 or 6×6 substrate. Are you using paper or canvas tiles?
On another note….are you coming to teach in CT or MA this year?
It’s funny that you think there is a submarine in that third one – what I first noticed in that one was what I thought were schools of “Nemo’s“!
It’s funny that you think there is a submarine in that third one – what I first noticed in that one was what I thought were schools of “Nemo’s“!
It’s funny that you think there is a submarine in that third one – what I first noticed in that one was what I thought were schools of “Nemo’s“!
It’s funny that you think there is a submarine in that third one – what I first noticed in that one was what I thought were schools of “Nemo’s“!
It’s funny that you think there is a submarine in that third one – what I first noticed in that one was what I thought were schools of “Nemo’s“!
It’s funny that you think there is a submarine in that third one – what I first noticed in that one was what I thought were schools of “Nemo’s“!
Maybe it is really Bruce the shark? Anyway, forgot to say that I love these small pieces! Such an inspiring idea! I think my favourite is the first one.
Maybe it is really Bruce the shark? Anyway, forgot to say that I love these small pieces! Such an inspiring idea! I think my favourite is the first one.
Maybe it is really Bruce the shark? Anyway, forgot to say that I love these small pieces! Such an inspiring idea! I think my favourite is the first one.
Maybe it is really Bruce the shark? Anyway, forgot to say that I love these small pieces! Such an inspiring idea! I think my favourite is the first one.
Maybe it is really Bruce the shark? Anyway, forgot to say that I love these small pieces! Such an inspiring idea! I think my favourite is the first one.
Maybe it is really Bruce the shark? Anyway, forgot to say that I love these small pieces! Such an inspiring idea! I think my favourite is the first one.
i love the idea and i will do this too!
i really like your list of what to stay focused on!
Interesting enough, your signature style is still coming through!
that is quite amazing to me.
thanks Julie for a great idea.
i love the idea and i will do this too!
i really like your list of what to stay focused on!
Interesting enough, your signature style is still coming through!
that is quite amazing to me.
thanks Julie for a great idea.
i love the idea and i will do this too!
i really like your list of what to stay focused on!
Interesting enough, your signature style is still coming through!
that is quite amazing to me.
thanks Julie for a great idea.
i love the idea and i will do this too!
i really like your list of what to stay focused on!
Interesting enough, your signature style is still coming through!
that is quite amazing to me.
thanks Julie for a great idea.
i love the idea and i will do this too!
i really like your list of what to stay focused on!
Interesting enough, your signature style is still coming through!
that is quite amazing to me.
thanks Julie for a great idea.
i love the idea and i will do this too!
i really like your list of what to stay focused on!
Interesting enough, your signature style is still coming through!
that is quite amazing to me.
thanks Julie for a great idea.
Yep. It’s definitely a submarine surrounded by clownfish. And I LOVE it!
Yep. It’s definitely a submarine surrounded by clownfish. And I LOVE it!
Yep. It’s definitely a submarine surrounded by clownfish. And I LOVE it!
Yep. It’s definitely a submarine surrounded by clownfish. And I LOVE it!
Yep. It’s definitely a submarine surrounded by clownfish. And I LOVE it!
Yep. It’s definitely a submarine surrounded by clownfish. And I LOVE it!
These are awesome! A great challenge.
These are awesome! A great challenge.
These are awesome! A great challenge.
These are awesome! A great challenge.
These are awesome! A great challenge.
These are awesome! A great challenge.
I like all your pieces. Love the colorful bird! I have a hard time leaving any space too, and I love color.
Thanks for all the new ideas.
I like all your pieces. Love the colorful bird! I have a hard time leaving any space too, and I love color.
Thanks for all the new ideas.
I like all your pieces. Love the colorful bird! I have a hard time leaving any space too, and I love color.
Thanks for all the new ideas.
I like all your pieces. Love the colorful bird! I have a hard time leaving any space too, and I love color.
Thanks for all the new ideas.
I like all your pieces. Love the colorful bird! I have a hard time leaving any space too, and I love color.
Thanks for all the new ideas.
I like all your pieces. Love the colorful bird! I have a hard time leaving any space too, and I love color.
Thanks for all the new ideas.
Submarine? Absolutely… and if it had been yellow I would have laughed instantly… nothing wrong with art creating joy for the observer…… a terrific goal fyi.
Submarine? Absolutely… and if it had been yellow I would have laughed instantly… nothing wrong with art creating joy for the observer…… a terrific goal fyi.
Submarine? Absolutely… and if it had been yellow I would have laughed instantly… nothing wrong with art creating joy for the observer…… a terrific goal fyi.
Submarine? Absolutely… and if it had been yellow I would have laughed instantly… nothing wrong with art creating joy for the observer…… a terrific goal fyi.
Submarine? Absolutely… and if it had been yellow I would have laughed instantly… nothing wrong with art creating joy for the observer…… a terrific goal fyi.
Submarine? Absolutely… and if it had been yellow I would have laughed instantly… nothing wrong with art creating joy for the observer…… a terrific goal fyi.
Love these little pieces of art. That’s why I like to make and give greeting cards. Some work up fast, others take longer, but they are still miniatures, little, original art works! I can see these pieces displayed like a quilt. How interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Love these little pieces of art. That’s why I like to make and give greeting cards. Some work up fast, others take longer, but they are still miniatures, little, original art works! I can see these pieces displayed like a quilt. How interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Love these little pieces of art. That’s why I like to make and give greeting cards. Some work up fast, others take longer, but they are still miniatures, little, original art works! I can see these pieces displayed like a quilt. How interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Love these little pieces of art. That’s why I like to make and give greeting cards. Some work up fast, others take longer, but they are still miniatures, little, original art works! I can see these pieces displayed like a quilt. How interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Love these little pieces of art. That’s why I like to make and give greeting cards. Some work up fast, others take longer, but they are still miniatures, little, original art works! I can see these pieces displayed like a quilt. How interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Love these little pieces of art. That’s why I like to make and give greeting cards. Some work up fast, others take longer, but they are still miniatures, little, original art works! I can see these pieces displayed like a quilt. How interesting! Thanks for sharing.
These are awesome,for me smaller spaces are a lot leas intimidating. Please do a you tube video while you are creating some of them.
I also really enjoy your podcasts and your weekly video log. It would be great for you to talk about how you do your video log on your podcast.
Do you use a selfie stick, tripod, or do you just hold the camera most times? Do people in public places give you weird looks when you are spinning around capturing stuff?Has it now just become second nature to record your week? How long does it take for you to edit?
Just food for thought.
Thanks for all your encouragement when it comes to making stuff!
These are awesome,for me smaller spaces are a lot leas intimidating. Please do a you tube video while you are creating some of them.
I also really enjoy your podcasts and your weekly video log. It would be great for you to talk about how you do your video log on your podcast.
Do you use a selfie stick, tripod, or do you just hold the camera most times? Do people in public places give you weird looks when you are spinning around capturing stuff?Has it now just become second nature to record your week? How long does it take for you to edit?
Just food for thought.
Thanks for all your encouragement when it comes to making stuff!
These are awesome,for me smaller spaces are a lot leas intimidating. Please do a you tube video while you are creating some of them.
I also really enjoy your podcasts and your weekly video log. It would be great for you to talk about how you do your video log on your podcast.
Do you use a selfie stick, tripod, or do you just hold the camera most times? Do people in public places give you weird looks when you are spinning around capturing stuff?Has it now just become second nature to record your week? How long does it take for you to edit?
Just food for thought.
Thanks for all your encouragement when it comes to making stuff!
These are awesome,for me smaller spaces are a lot leas intimidating. Please do a you tube video while you are creating some of them.
I also really enjoy your podcasts and your weekly video log. It would be great for you to talk about how you do your video log on your podcast.
Do you use a selfie stick, tripod, or do you just hold the camera most times? Do people in public places give you weird looks when you are spinning around capturing stuff?Has it now just become second nature to record your week? How long does it take for you to edit?
Just food for thought.
Thanks for all your encouragement when it comes to making stuff!
These are awesome,for me smaller spaces are a lot leas intimidating. Please do a you tube video while you are creating some of them.
I also really enjoy your podcasts and your weekly video log. It would be great for you to talk about how you do your video log on your podcast.
Do you use a selfie stick, tripod, or do you just hold the camera most times? Do people in public places give you weird looks when you are spinning around capturing stuff?Has it now just become second nature to record your week? How long does it take for you to edit?
Just food for thought.
Thanks for all your encouragement when it comes to making stuff!
These are awesome,for me smaller spaces are a lot leas intimidating. Please do a you tube video while you are creating some of them.
I also really enjoy your podcasts and your weekly video log. It would be great for you to talk about how you do your video log on your podcast.
Do you use a selfie stick, tripod, or do you just hold the camera most times? Do people in public places give you weird looks when you are spinning around capturing stuff?Has it now just become second nature to record your week? How long does it take for you to edit?
Just food for thought.
Thanks for all your encouragement when it comes to making stuff!
I like the bottom one the best–even though it looks like an ad for Target! I like making “primaries” of any red, yellow, or blue hue, tone, or shade (tints are too wimpy) that seem to go together, and using them in a color wheel to get a whole new aspect of a composition. The mixtures are amazing, too! It’s an exercise that is not only fun, but super instructive!
I like the bottom one the best–even though it looks like an ad for Target! I like making “primaries” of any red, yellow, or blue hue, tone, or shade (tints are too wimpy) that seem to go together, and using them in a color wheel to get a whole new aspect of a composition. The mixtures are amazing, too! It’s an exercise that is not only fun, but super instructive!
I like the bottom one the best–even though it looks like an ad for Target! I like making “primaries” of any red, yellow, or blue hue, tone, or shade (tints are too wimpy) that seem to go together, and using them in a color wheel to get a whole new aspect of a composition. The mixtures are amazing, too! It’s an exercise that is not only fun, but super instructive!
I like the bottom one the best–even though it looks like an ad for Target! I like making “primaries” of any red, yellow, or blue hue, tone, or shade (tints are too wimpy) that seem to go together, and using them in a color wheel to get a whole new aspect of a composition. The mixtures are amazing, too! It’s an exercise that is not only fun, but super instructive!
I like the bottom one the best–even though it looks like an ad for Target! I like making “primaries” of any red, yellow, or blue hue, tone, or shade (tints are too wimpy) that seem to go together, and using them in a color wheel to get a whole new aspect of a composition. The mixtures are amazing, too! It’s an exercise that is not only fun, but super instructive!
I like the bottom one the best–even though it looks like an ad for Target! I like making “primaries” of any red, yellow, or blue hue, tone, or shade (tints are too wimpy) that seem to go together, and using them in a color wheel to get a whole new aspect of a composition. The mixtures are amazing, too! It’s an exercise that is not only fun, but super instructive!
Haha, I thought of a shark and clownfish right away, too!
Haha, I thought of a shark and clownfish right away, too!
Haha, I thought of a shark and clownfish right away, too!
Haha, I thought of a shark and clownfish right away, too!
Haha, I thought of a shark and clownfish right away, too!
Haha, I thought of a shark and clownfish right away, too!
I am drawn to three of the grouping. I do love how you set up challenges for yourself. Inspiring!!
I love the monochromatic, the stripped piece with the small square of lines is my favorite, and the last piece with what looks like your circle Artfoamies. Thank you for sharing and continuing to inspire. I am in awe.
I am drawn to three of the grouping. I do love how you set up challenges for yourself. Inspiring!!
I love the monochromatic, the stripped piece with the small square of lines is my favorite, and the last piece with what looks like your circle Artfoamies. Thank you for sharing and continuing to inspire. I am in awe.
I am drawn to three of the grouping. I do love how you set up challenges for yourself. Inspiring!!
I love the monochromatic, the stripped piece with the small square of lines is my favorite, and the last piece with what looks like your circle Artfoamies. Thank you for sharing and continuing to inspire. I am in awe.
I am drawn to three of the grouping. I do love how you set up challenges for yourself. Inspiring!!
I love the monochromatic, the stripped piece with the small square of lines is my favorite, and the last piece with what looks like your circle Artfoamies. Thank you for sharing and continuing to inspire. I am in awe.
I am drawn to three of the grouping. I do love how you set up challenges for yourself. Inspiring!!
I love the monochromatic, the stripped piece with the small square of lines is my favorite, and the last piece with what looks like your circle Artfoamies. Thank you for sharing and continuing to inspire. I am in awe.
I am drawn to three of the grouping. I do love how you set up challenges for yourself. Inspiring!!
I love the monochromatic, the stripped piece with the small square of lines is my favorite, and the last piece with what looks like your circle Artfoamies. Thank you for sharing and continuing to inspire. I am in awe.
Great pieces and a really good challenge!
Great pieces and a really good challenge!
Great pieces and a really good challenge!
Great pieces and a really good challenge!
Great pieces and a really good challenge!
Great pieces and a really good challenge!
I really enjoyed seeing these Julie, and love that you’ve tried out different styles! Look forward to seeing more xx
I really enjoyed seeing these Julie, and love that you’ve tried out different styles! Look forward to seeing more xx
I really enjoyed seeing these Julie, and love that you’ve tried out different styles! Look forward to seeing more xx
I really enjoyed seeing these Julie, and love that you’ve tried out different styles! Look forward to seeing more xx
I really enjoyed seeing these Julie, and love that you’ve tried out different styles! Look forward to seeing more xx
I really enjoyed seeing these Julie, and love that you’ve tried out different styles! Look forward to seeing more xx