Abstract Expressionism Started Around 1940’s

Abstract Expressionism Facts Where: Mostly in New York What: Radical Direction of Art/ Break away from the norm Importance: The Process over product When: After The Great Depression – WPA – Created Career Path for Artists In a famous letter to the New York Times (June 1943), Gottlieb and Rothko, with the assistance of Newman, wrote: “To us, art is an adventure into an unknown world of the imagination which is fancy-free and violently opposed to common sense. There is no such thing as a good painting about nothing. We assert that the subject is critical.”

The Artists

Jackson Pollock – Jack the dripper

Nonobjective Art – No subject matter First time canvas Was placed on the Floor to paint Instead of the easel Action Jackson

Mark Rothko – Color Field Painting

Simplified Color Block Large Scale Objective: To create a calming or Comforting effect

Rothko “I paint big to Intimate.” Soft Edged Rectangles Glowing

Created a freeing experience for the viewer You see want you want to see Relates to a personal Memory Experience of seeing Painting becomes more Personal

Williem de Kooning – Gestural Painting Could never abandoned the human figure Gesture – Showing the artist hand, Expressive Line use, painting with passion

Helen Frankenthaler – Soak Stain

Luminescent, misty images

Contemporary Intuitive Painter Flora Bowley

Bowley Techniques 1. Listen to Music 2. Block out white space w/ dark colors 3. Use Words 4. Create Variation 5. Add Water

Things to Think about with Your Composition Elements Line Shape Form Color Texture Space Variety Principles Emphasis Movement Balance Uses Rhythm Repetition Pattern

Unity Color Remember you need a Dominant something for connection! Shape Texture Line Remember you need a Dominant something for connection!

Color Psychology