Genre: Your Artistic Playground, Not Your Prison

I'm always on the lookout for ways to help you tap into your full artistic potential. This week, let's explore a powerful, sometimes misunderstood, genre: Abstract Expressionism.

It's a genre that conjures images of splattered paint and seemingly random brushstrokes. But it's so much more than that. Like any genre, Abstract Expressionism has its own "formal logic, tropes, and principles," as Jerry Saltz notes. It's a conversation, a way of seeing and expressing the world.

But here's the key: Abstract Expressionist art, like any genre, isn't a cage. It's a launchpad. It's a set of tools – color, texture, gesture, emotion – that you can use, adapt, and subvert to create something uniquely yours. Now here is a key point -- The difference between genre and style is crucial.

Style is your individual stamp, your how. It's what makes your Abstract Expressionist piece distinct, even within that genre. Two artists might both work with gestural marks, but one might use them to convey raw emotion, while the other focuses on the interplay of colors. Their styles differentiate their work, even within the Abstract Expressionism genre.

How do you embrace Abstract Expressionism without feeling confined?

• Become an Abstract Expressionist Detective: Study the masters. What are their common themes, techniques, and philosophies? Understanding these elements empowers you.

• Mix It Up: Don't be afraid to push the boundaries of Abstract Expressionism. Combine it with other influences, whether it's a touch of realism or a hint of surrealism.

• Find Your Voice: Your style is your signature. Experiment, play, and push the limits to discover your unique artistic expression.

• Subvert Expectations: Conventions are meant to be explored, not blindly followed. Challenge them, twist them, and create something entirely new within the realm of Abstract Expressionism.

This week, I challenge you: Explore Abstract Expressionism.

Remember, it is a starting point, not a destination. It's a playground for your creativity, a canvas for your style. Embrace it, explore it, and make it your own.

Stay creative,

Beverly Todd

P.S. What resonates with you? How can you use the genre of Ab Ex to make art in your own voice? Share your thoughts – scroll to the bottom and click “Let’s Talk.”

P.P.S. Learn more about Ab Ex as a genre from the art experts at Christies.