Katie Jeanne Wood
Leading Me Out
Farmhouse style pastel abstract painting
Paper & canvas prints are available here

Every abstract painter seems to use a different approach to painting. Lewis Noble paints landscapes. Betty Franks paints fields of flowers. John Beckley uses lots of straight lines and geometrical shapes. Willem de Kooning painted distorted figures, and Jackson Pollock was famous for his splashes, and drips. 

Katie Jeanne Wood
Come Play With Me
Purple Green Red abstract painting
Paper & canvas prints available here

Even though I’ve been painting abstracts for 20 years, and daily now for almost 90 days, I’m still trying to figure out where I stand as an abstract painter. I’m just starting to dig in, and explore. I still have so much to learn and figure out for myself, and about myself. 

Katie Jeanne Wood
Happy Days
Pink abstract painting
Paper & canvas prints available here

I’m constantly asking myself questions, such as..why do I want to paint abstracts? What color combos do I prefer? What shapes do I like best? Are there any symbols I resonate with that I can use in my work? What is it I’m trying to wordlessly say through my work? How can I express myself through color, marks, and composition? 

May You Be At Ease
Green white red abstract painting
Paper & canvas prints available here

I’ve never been a “paint what I’m feeling” type of artist. I mean, sure, sometimes I was feeling sadness while painting a sad portrait, but I rarely set out to paint a sad portrait because I was sad, if that makes sense. 

Sudden Gust of Wind
Dark green and red abstract painting
Paper & canvas prints available here

With portraits, I was always painting someone else’s emotion by using reference photos or I tried to paint a silly story that I made up in my head. I’ve always liked storytelling through my portraits, whether I was painting someone’s mood or silly characters. 

Transcending Reality By Imagination
pastel abstract painting
Paper & canvas prints available here

Painting abstracts is a whole different ballgame. I no longer have a storyline to jump off from or a facial expression sitting in front of me as a reference photo. It’s just me, canvas, and paint.

At first I found it intimidating, and didn’t know where to begin. I wondered what I had got myself into saying I’d paint abstracts for an entire summer. I had the urge to paint portraits again, just to go back to my comfort zone, but I stuck with it. At times during these 90 days, I felt stuck, and directionless. I needed to figure out what the meaning of painting abstracts was for me. 

Connect the Dots
Dark abstract circle painting
Paper & canvas prints available here

What I’ve discovered is that my abstract paintings are becoming more personal as time goes on, which surprised me. I’m able to tap into my feelings, thoughts, and emotions as I’m painting now – something I’m not familiar doing. This new discovery is like a different world opening up before me. 

I’m about to enter month 4 of daily abstract painting, and I can’t wait to find out what else is in store for me to discover. I’m ready, so let’s go!