How Do I Start Painting Or Drawing Abstracts?

Many members who joined my new Facebook group The Art of Mark Making in Abstract Art ask how they might learn how to transition from painting or drawing realistically to creating non-objective work (abstracts). One of the best ways to channel your inner Abstract artist is to roll out a giant piece of  white paper (like the kind restaurants use to cover tables).Then gather all your mark making products such as pencils, pastels, markers, crayons, chalk, charcoal etc. Add a few jars or tubes of acrylic paint with some brushes to your materials stash. Next put on some peppy music. Pin your paper to a wall covered with newspaper or plastic or lay on a protected table. Now...just start scribbling and drawing and making marks like you did in Kindergarten when your inner critic was not yet fully formed. Cover the entire piece of paper with dry media followed by paint. Let the paint dry and add more marks on top of paint. Build many layers. Stand back and look at your work. Keep playing until you start seeing forms, shapes, patterns etc. Ask your self what does it need and continue to edit accordingly. And that is how you start painting Abstracts!  Working large lets you work more spontaneously and will help you leave your more realistic side behind. 

Using Old Game Parts Popular Elements For Mixed Media, Collage, Assemblage Artists

If you are thinking about cleaning out your attic, cabinets or basement and tossing out old children's toys and games...stop! There are plenty of artists who use game parts, tiles, images, puzzle pieces, Legos and more in their work. Many of my art friends are scavengers who are forever looking for your vintage Board games and accessories to use in Assemblages, collages, Mixed Media etc.  You will now find many collectibles vendors who bundle up old toy parts and sell. So consider either passing along your collections to an artist who would love to hit the jackpot with your donation or reasonably selling your stash of toy goodies. Image shown was done by Mixed Media artist Carolyn Tertes (see my earlier article (http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2011/11/mixed-media-artist-carolyn-tertes.html)