Anna Horsnell, artist
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Different (Brush)strokes for Different Folks

10/4/2012

8 Comments

 
Picture
A sample of my earlier, more realistic painting style.
A viewer said she doesn't understand abstract art. She said it just isn't her cup of tea. Fair enough. Appreciating art is a personal experience. What catches one person's eye or stirs an emotion may leave another shaking their head. Variety is one of the true blessings of life.

Different artists present different styles. And, over time, the work of any given artist can naturally evolve with their changing experience and skill. This development has often led to various art movements over the years. Following these changes can be fascinating and telling of a time and place.

On a more personal level, change is generally a sign of growth. Artists respond to all aspects of life and life changes. Part of the growth process is also setting goals and challenging the intent or purpose of their art. Most artists are their own strongest critic, constantly pushing themselves to reach for an ideal they envision for their work. Growth may come with a change in medium, or style, or subject matter.

Although I am not entirely comfortable with labels, my early painting style ranged from realism to a looser impressionism. However from the very beginning, I felt a strong desire to paint not what I saw, but what I felt. Finally there came a point when I was ready to turn inward and do just that. In what was a very challenging process, my painting became abstract and finally non-representational, losing any reference to the visual world. There were those who were scratching their head in puzzlement, but still others who welcomed my new approach. The switch in style has been my biggest and most satisfying challenge in my career.

That brings me back to appreciating art as a personal experience. She said she preferred realism. I appreciated her honesty. So I shared several photos of my earlier work to show I understood. It was also a great look back to remember where my work began and where it is now. Here's hoping I never stop growing and my artwork never stops evolving.

How has your appreciation of art changed over time?

8 Comments
Wayne Leal
10/4/2012 04:11:26 am

Anna, I really like that painting you included with your blog piece. Any chance of seeing a larger version?

Reply
Anna
10/4/2012 11:12:13 am

Sorry Wayne, old image and that's the largest file I have without distortion. Glad you like it. It went to a good home.

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wayne Leal
10/6/2012 07:34:37 am

It's always nice when they go to a good place. I like your abstract paintings and can tell by looking at them that you have 'it' whatever that really is and they are very professionally developed. From what I saw in the representational one under discussion that same 'it' is there too. I love the freedom of abstraction and having the painting determine what it needs and if I'm really lucky I can complement those needs.

Terri Whetstone link
10/4/2012 10:03:16 am

Anna, I think your response to this viewer was very genuine and accepting.
It would be wonderful if she had asked you to help her learn how to "enter" abstract work. There is a history, a language, a dialogue, and many faucets of non-representational work that is not about feeling and emotion. Sometimes it is about Spirit. With other artists it is about the Sublime. And then there are intellectual abstract painters. And there’s formalism, too.
There is so much to learn and observe and de-code and appreciate about abstract art- it’s too bad she wasn't interested in that learning journey. Ah well….

Reply
Anna
10/4/2012 11:20:44 am

Thanks Terri. Yes, so much to learn and many layers of depth. In this instance, without being specific, some prefer not to make the journey. To each his own.

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11/1/2012 06:19:50 pm

Art can show the passage of time. During parts of history, writing was not used by certain civilizations because they did not know how to use it, such as the caveman.

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6/23/2013 03:50:29 am

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged

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6/24/2013 06:08:34 am

This is an interesting study. Thank's for your sharing! Do you have a Twitter Account and i will Twitter you :)

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    Anna Horsnell  SCA

    Canadian painter of contemporary abstract art

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