I could be a bit of snob about it.

Terrible to say, really. But something about reality is that it does not hide its blunt edges. 

Being slightly snobby over abstract art–seeing it as “less than” to some degree–was certainly not super glamorous …especially when I start painting and sharing such pieces with an audience that has developed over my realist and character art. There is a very true proverb that pride comes before a fall. Yet that fall generally brings profit, which is a gift. :)

And this tumbles us right into the fair question of abstract art. 

Perhaps you’ve had the thought too–aren’t abstracts like a kid let loose in a paint factory? The kind of work a puppy could do with a palette knife stuck in his mouth and a canvas set up nearby–likely gaining viral traction in an online video?

Everybody can paint abstracts, right?

Then, there’s the moral and ethical quandary. Sometimes abstracts look harsh, angry and weird. And what about the banana stuck to the wall with duck tape that sold for way more than a banana ever should sell for (from my current understanding, that’s a true story, btw)? In the case of the banana, it may not be technically fully abstract (it’s a banana), but it still touches on this point. If I have it right, abstracts could be as simple as one drop of paint falling down a blank canvas. And it may sell for a ridiculous amount of money.

Has the world gone crazy? Are we duped into glorifying insanity and supporting vacancy instead of substance? 

Or …is there more to this than meets the eye?

Valid question. And it’s one we should ask.

Now, you may have had a flickering thought that I’ve got all the answers neatly tied up with a bow, waiting at your computer door. 

Well, let’s get the bad news over first. This isn’t a complete answer. Why? Because I’m still on the journey myself. However, it is a bit of pondering, and something that I hope will encourage you on your own pondering about abstract art: its validity and place.

So, what about abstracts? Do they belong? Is there a place for them, or should we relegate them to the cute art class for kids or the reject pile in an art studio?

One of the best places to take any question in the world, is straight to God and His Word. Are abstracts a Biblical concept, or are they something man-made?

Run back with me to the start of Genesis. Here God is starting with something that has no form. And He gently brings one thing after another to life. So much beauty. So much good. Sky, sea, land, plants, and animals for example. These are God’s artworks and we can enter His worldwide gallery of art and ponder. Ponder His wisdom and insight …consider His ways of creation.

Imagine standing in the middle of an autumn forest and looking up to the sky …what would you see? Netted colorful leaves forming a colorful canopy of lace. If you did not know what leaves and branches were–had no concept of them and only saw a picture of this netting–would you place it in the category of abstract art?

Consider the waterways and think of standing at the side of a clear pond. You can see right to its rocky surface beneath the blending waves of light and water above it. What pattern do you see? Is it no longer significant because it is not a recognizable house, flower bouquet or landscape?

And what about the stars? A landscape defined by pin dots of light. The Milky Way, the galaxies, the northern lights.

God has made all these things …and as we have known of them since childhood they’re recognizable. But what if we had not seen them before? Would they too, be placed in the abstract?

Fast forward a little in time and what does God create in reflection of a deep promise He makes?

A rainbow.

“Just” a layered stripe of colors.

That’s it. 

Lines. Color. And a rounded shape.

Should this symbol of God’s handiwork be considered cheap art become its elements are seemingly so simple?

Texture, pattern, design, color. 

It’s all a part of our lives because of the One Who made us. Abstract artists do not have the monopoly or ownership of shapes, colors and designs. 

God does.

And to believe that these elements can not be used for meaningful visual poetry and heartfelt communication …would perhaps be self-sabotaging.

I was working down in my art studio recently, treading into the waters of abstraction with color and I felt a sense of fear.

There’s a responsibility in art creation that I can feel. What if I was going to encourage others to embrace something they shouldn’t? It’s not like I have a huge audience, but I do have a sphere of influence all the same. And that can bring question marks and hesitation. I don’t want to mislead into dangerous waters. 

And within the wrestling, it’s almost like God rebuked me. I could be wrong that it was Him, but there came a thought that was something kind of like this–Melissa, I made color. 

God has given us the gift of color. 

It’s okay to take joy in that gift. To appreciate the beauty of certain colors next to each other and how they look good together. To play with color itself more so than using color to visualize something concrete vs. abstract.

Do I have all the answers? No. I don’t. And I’m still walking this path of discovery. Two months from now, I may write a follow-up post to this one with more thoughts.  I actually think that harsh abstracts–the ones that look painful–could often be the outpouring of a grieving soul. Rather than judging, we should weep and pray. Being an artist is a vulnerable place. We’re a sensitive part of God’s creation and are gifted with this particular kind of ability to express the inner experiences of the soul. Which in turn, if one’s soul is torn up with suffering, pain and loss …especially those who have no hope–that hopeless agony will likely show up.

Art can be a reflection into the artist’s heart. 

And I know there’s truth in it. Recently, I was struggling with painting hope. My own hopes were low and in a sense, I wanted to paint my emotions on the canvas. I think there is a place for that …not all of life is happy, even for Christians and sometimes it can make one feel seen and heard to see quieter, mourning-type of art. (I’m not speaking of the evil kind of art.) 

And then there’s the valid question …isn’t abstract art something that anybody can do? It’s not like it should be valued the way it is, should it?

You know, it’s similar to when I was a little snobby over animal character art. That stuff was the easier kind of thing to draw …or so I wanted to think. I can still remember how I went to try it and found that what I thought should be easy wasn’t so easy. And how true it is that before judging something as elementary, we should hold our peace until we have walked in those shoes.

Abstract art can be similar in experience …good abstract art is not as easy as it looks. I can remember a (rather pitiful) piece of abstract art I tried to paint some years ago. It wasn’t stunning. It’s rather interesting how before trying something or experiencing something it’s super easy to have generalized opinions on it. 

So, try it before you judge it. (A piece of advice I need to implant in my brain myself.)

Coming from an artist’s perspective though, are there some pieces of abstract art that aren’t that hard? Yes, I think so. Should they be selling for as much as they do? No, I don’t know that they should be sold for that much. But at the same time, supplies aren’t always cheap, and it is wise to be thoughtful of how much time and effort the artist may have put into the work that you don’t know about. It’s still work, even if it sometimes looks and feels like play.

On another pondering level, I think abstract art can be as an emotional outlet. It’s sort of like visual poetry, an unspoken prayer or speaking in tongues. A language that may not be understood at first, but it can be like the vestige of an emotion, a feeling, a heart cry. 

And right now, it’s a good fit for me. I’ve been in a challenging season and my emotional capacity has been tried and stretched. God has a purpose weaving beautifully through it all. And in this place, I’m finding a little home for now …in abstracts.

So, we’ll see where this ends up. Perhaps it shall simply be a little place of rest on a long journey of living a creative life. And for those of you who have stuck around with me for the long haul …thank-you. Your continued support is a real gift. Art is a sort of country of its own. Complete with its own language. :) Having friends and family who are there for one in the ups and downs of artistic expression is a valuable blessing and I don’t want to take it for granted. :) So THANK-YOU.

Have you ever considered the quandary of abstract art? If so, what are your thoughts? I’d like to hear from you!