Focus of Interest in an Abstract

Abstract paintings often seem to be a meaningless arrangement of color and form. In fact, careful study will reveal that the most striking abstracts have a clear focal point. In most contemporary abstracts, the focal point is usually defined by the point of maximum tonal contrast.

In Untitled Abstract, I experimented with a mostly dark background and then built up the color until the lightest highlight. The shapes have an organic feel to them without any objective representation. Additional texture was created by running a large comb through the second and third layers of paint. An old credit card was used to push the paint around and create some of the flowing lines.

Untitled Abstract, Acrylic on canvas, 36"x24", Not for sale