Sun Kissed
oil portrait painting

A few weeks ago someone described my portrait painting as “abstract”. This isn’t the first time that’s happened. The painting (not pictured) she was talking about had eyes, nose, mouth, hair, facial expression, and other features, and actually looked pretty realistic to me. I didn’t say anything to my client or try to correct her – she saw what she saw, and who am I to say differently? I found her choice of words interesting, and I took note of it. 

Then, the other day I came upon a website, and the artist paints super realistic portraits. In my mind, I immediately boxed his work into the category of hyperrealism art. Yet, poking around his site, I found out he called his work Naïve. I was highly confused because it just wasn’t true. His paintings could easily pass as photographs they were so realistic. Not only that, but they were dark in color..the kind of portraits you see hanging in museums or on the wall in Downton Abby. Definitely didn’t give me a Naïve vibe in the least.  

Affects on The Body
Abstract figure painting
Prints are available here

These two experiences got me thinking about how we all perceive things differently. The painting above, I feel comfortable calling abstract because although I can tell it’s a figure of a woman, there are lots of missing pieces. Therefore, it qualifies as somewhat abstract in my mind.

Some artists I know would never consider it an abstract because abstract to them means having no recognizable details, and it’s clearly a woman with black hair and a blue shirt. I see their point, but I don’t agree with them. I feel comfortable using the word “abstract” as a keyword to describe the painting. 

© Katie Jeanne Wood
Her Idea of Poetry
Mixed media acrylic portrait painting
Prints available here

This portrait painting I would not call abstract, but some people would because of the background, and concept. I mean, the background looks abstract, and why is she walking around with a blue square box on her head? lol You’d have to ask her. I have no idea. 

Sure, I see the abstract elements, but to call it an abstract painting? I wouldn’t because it has more detailed form than abstract, imo. I’m sure if I asked 10 different people what their take is, I’d get 10 different answers.

Abstract No 116
Prints are available here

Now this..this I definitely consider an abstract painting. Or do I? I kinda get a landscape vibe from it..with a tree line (trees are planted in lines here to break the fierce straight line winds we get) and a fence. So, is it an abstract or landscape? Some days I say it’s both – an abstract landscape, and other days I only see an abstract. 

Imaginary Dinner Party
Acrylic mixed media 
abstract painting

Now, you might not be able to see this painting as a dinner party, but I view it as if I’m looking down on a fabulously set dining table. I see plates, cloth napkins holding silverware, cups, and bowls. Towards the back of the table there’s a window, and bright light coming in..maybe from the snowy ground?

I highly doubt anyone else sees the exact same scene when they look at this painting, and that’s okay. Having a different opinion is perfectly fine with me. I always welcome new ways of seeing my art from people on the outside looking in. It helps me think outside the box I placed myself in.  

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The clearance sale is still ongoing in my Etsy shop. Some paintings have been marked down 75%. I’m trying to make room for the new paintings coming this year. I’m adding more paintings daily. Get them while you can.