A Journey into the Abstract

In this blog post we will look at my journey into abstract art. This is something new to me, but I think it is something worth pursuing to see what comes of it. So far, I have only done three paintings in this fashion, but I can already tell that what I have produced ignites my spirit and provides something more to ponder.

ChatGPT defines Abstract Art as a style of art that departs from realistic depictions of the physical world, focusing instead on the use of shapes, colors, lines, and forms to evoke emotions, ideas, or concepts. It often lacks a recognizable subject, allowing viewers to interpret the work subjectively. Emerging in the early 20th century, abstract art includes movements like Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and Minimalism, challenging traditional notions of representation in art.

Although I am familiar with abstract art, by such greats as Jackson Pollack and Pablo Picasso, I had a renewed interest in it when I came across artist Suhail Mitoubsi, a non-representational abstract artist based in the Teesside region of Northeast England, UK. I came across him on the artist forum that I participate in. Check Suhail’s art out if you like. (https://www.ezeeart.com/) Copy and paste the address between the brackets in your browser to visit his website.

I should note that I am using a digital software program called Rebelle to make my paintings. Users of both digital and traditional art say that Rebelle mimics traditional art quite well. I find making art digitally is very cost effective, having only to purchase the program for a very reasonable price, and there is no cleanup required. Working digitally does not, however, offer that tangible, real-world feel that traditional art does. That said, if having a real-world product is of importance to the digital artist, digital art can always be printed on any substrate, including canvas, for a cost, of course. I should mention too, that working digitally allows a user to create their art in layers, so one can add things without changing the layers below, something that can’t be done with traditional art. This is most useful when one wants to remove errors or try something somewhat different. Below is an image of my Rebelle desktop. You can see the many layers I have established on the Layers palette, and all the tools that are available.

Eyes in the Night – Rebelle Desktop – Screen Capture by Don Cheke

Eyes in the Night, seen above, is a painting I did recently just for the fun of it. It is, for all intents and purposes, the first abstract art piece I have ever set out to do. I simply chose a typical color palette and started to paint with randomly selected brushes. As I was nearing the end, I was struck with the realization that it looked like a mask of some sort to me. I decided to add the eye-like bits and that made me feel like it represented an owl – maybe. I decided to give the painting the title, Eyes in the Night, to give the piece a bit of an eerie feel.

One of the things that Suhail writes about in his own blog is the process, or art, of slow looking, meaning that a viewer should, or at least could, take time to really look at a picture and let it be absorbed into one’s soul, let it take you where it is will. Basically, meditating on it, if you will. He says it much better than I do here, but hopefully you get the idea.

When I stopped to slow-look at the finished painting, I could see the heavens-above in all their glory, nebulas, stars, the dark ether, or the cold dark nothingness in between the beauties. I find that the eyes draw me in and I can’t help but gaze into them. I feel that eerie connection, linked by the painting and the title.

At some point, viewing Eyes in the Night brought to mind the Star Trek: TNG episode called “Where Silence Has Lease” (Season 2, Episode 2). In this episode, the USS Enterprise encounters a mysterious and sinister entity known as Nagilum. Nagilum is a powerful, non-corporeal being with a translucent, disembodied face. It is curious about human concepts, particularly death, and seeks to understand it by experimenting on the crew. Nagilum suggests killing a third of the crew in different ways to study the experience of death. This episode is a chilling exploration of the alien’s cold, scientific curiosity contrasted with the crew’s moral and emotional responses. (ChatGPT summary in italics) Not a very enticing thing, but the episode was very interesting, and, as I said, the eyes really cinched the connection for me. I prefer a more peaceful ethereal interpretation of my artwork, if that counts for something.

Perhaps I shouldn’t mention this, but when I first showed Eyes in the Night to Denise she said, “Oh, I don’t like that at all!” How’s that for evoking an emotion with one’s art. She continued by saying that she didn’t like the eyes staring back at her. Of course, I was a bit shocked, as she has never said that she didn’t like my art at any other time in our 40 years together, but I figured that if she were allowed to say she didn’t like something, then perhaps she really did like all the others when she said so. 👍😊

Forest of Discontent – Created by Don Cheke

Forest of Discontent was another foray into abstract painting and this one reminded me of a burnt-out forest I once encountered. While the one I encountered was long out, so lots of black burnt out trees (sticks basically), the one here is ablaze, in an abstract sort of way.

I posted this painting on the artist’s forum and Suhail, the fellow I mentioned earlier, replied with:

This is it Don. You hit the nail on the head. You’ve recreated a personal narrative into a visual piece of art.

I’m sure the colours, shapes and composition you used express your unique feelings and thoughts about that particular event.

This is exactly what I strive for in my abstract work. While my paintings might appear to be spontaneous brushstrokes scattered across the canvas, each one tells a personal story, captures a thought or preserves a moment. I call it ‘painting your feelings with your feelings’ or at least trying to.

Beautifully done, Don. Welcome to my world of abstract painting… no pressure.

I replied with:

When I made this painting, I first selected a palette called Mini Oil Pigments (14 colors). That was the only conscious thing I chose. I then randomly selected colors and brushes, and applied color using paint & mix, and paint & blend (2 functions in the program). I didn’t have anything specific in mind when I started, so I had no idea what I would paint. Are you saying that my unconscious pulled that forest fire memory before I started, and it snuck its way onto the canvas, or just that this is just what I laid down and because we can see things in the abstract, this forest ablaze is what I could see as the result.

Although not consciously, perhaps I laid down the dark colors first. Perhaps my unconscious picked up on that and led me to create the yellow, white and blue which in hindsight simulated sky, fire and smoke. Lastly, I added the narrow strokes and the white splatter, as it seemed to need something. So, it was only at the end that I could see the forest ablaze, and it was not anything I planned at all.

I’ll try not to feel pressure when I move forward. 😊 I must say that I like abstract painting so far, as it seems so freeing not having to lay down shapes that mimic a photocopy, for lack of a better way to express this.

Perhaps you can point out one or two of your blog posts that focus primarily on what you said above. I know your whole blog is about abstract art, but maybe you can narrow it down to one or two that hits the nail on the head, as it were. I will certainly read them.

Suhail did point out a couple of his blog posts (he has over one hundred of them) and I read the first suggestion, one called Paint Your Feelings.

I commented with:

This was such a great article. As I read, I couldn’t help thinking that reading your words was like reading Viktor Frankl’s, Man Search for Meaning, or some other such great work. So many feelings, so much to ponder.

As I read, I noted many things. I like the concept of having a general idea when starting, and then letting the emotions direct the painting. I like the idea of selecting a small palette of colors and letting them guide the mood and the direction. I have a real love for color schemes, so I think I will attempt to use some of those I like, 4 or 5 colors, and see where that takes me. I like the concept of playing music, as this is something I already do. Music connects directly to my soul, and I could see how using the music itself could be beneficial, the muse, as it were.

I know myself quite well due to my own personal journey of discovery, so in a way, I am already tapped into my feelings and what moves me. Allowing that to direct my abstract painting might make it easier than someone who doesn’t know themselves very well, or even at all. Because I already know my feelings, I am not afraid of them, so I do not feel a need to fight them or deny them.

Although abstract painting, the act of setting out to do it as an artform is new to me, making art is not. I have always liked to find new ways to express myself, so I look forward to traveling this abstract path further.

I assume that all the paintings shown in this blog post are yours (I found out that they are). I’d like to comment on two of them. The second last painting, at the start of the Quotes of Famous Artists section, is mind-blowingly wonderful to me.

Abstract Painting – Created by Suhail Mitoubsi

It speaks of, and represents, a passionate Don Quixote, ready, posed for battle with the windmills of his discontent. I can clearly see him, his horse and his lance. Wonderful!

Abstract Painting – Created by Suhail Mitoubsi

The last painting sings to me of the heavens, a wonderful blending of color, no hard edges. The red “sails” unfurled, reflecting the light of the sun. Wow!

During some additional discourse, Suhail talked about not naming his art, so as to leave it up to the viewer to see what they see, and thus not set them up to have preconceived notion of the painting. Although I would have a hard time not naming my pieces, I think the idea has much merit. I’d love to hear what others think in this regard.

In further discussion on the artist’s forum, he clarified by saying that I have named pieces before when needed, like for gallery shows, as requested/recommended.

I really appreciate the thoughtful way you’ve engaged with this idea, though. It, in my opinion, gets at something interesting about how titles can shape viewers’ experiences.

Your examples of “Ancient Text” and “The Forest of Discontent” actually make me curious, and I’d like to know what other interpretations viewers might have had without those titles.

I think both approaches have their place. Sometimes a title can add an interesting layer of meaning and other times leaving it open can lead to richer personal connections with the work.

As you can imagine, I really value what Suhail has to offer. He always comes across as wise, non-judgmental, and just as curious about art and the human condition as I am.

As for Denise, when I warned her that I had another abstract art piece to show her, I warned her that she might not like it. She surprised me by saying that she did, in fact, like it. Whew! 😊

Ancient Text – Created by Don Cheke

This one is called Ancient Text. I started by choosing a 5-patch color scheme. 6 if you count the black. I allowed some shades in the selection of the colors. I started with some horizontal brush lines and added splashes of paints, 2 layers. At that point I added the stylized bull, or some such creature, in the style Picasso did his bull, one that was mentioned in the Cave Art thread on the artist’s forum. It was at this time that I thought I could add some ancient text. Although it isn’t really anything real, I chose to do it because I was influenced by the art of Faik Al-Aboudi, who I have seen on the artist forum lately. He is an artist who presents a unique look at ancient Iranian art and symbols and produces his own art based on that. Somewhere during the later stages of development of this piece, I decided that the text would be a fable about the pen being mightier than the sword. Because I am a writer and love that aspect of my world, I thought it was an ideal subject. I added the pen and the sword to drive the point home, no pun intended. I really like how this one turned out. I hope that you do too.

I forgot to mention that for this art piece, and others, I often add a texture or two and set the blend mode so that they are only hinted at. This one uses a wood grain texture and a metal plate with rivets texture. They are barely discernable, but the difference is great if you flip between them, on or off, in the program where I created the art.

When Denise came to see what latest piece I had completed, she gave me a thumbs up and said that she really liked it a lot. Back on a roll, I thought and felt! 💖

As you can see, I am having a blast with this, new to me, art form. I can see travelling down this road much further to see where it takes me. I have done many other forms of art in the past and it has also focused on the essence of human experience, but I think this abstract art will dive deeper into my unconscious and maybe it will reveal some things better than some of my other art has.

I hope you will continue along the journey with me, as I will share that, and other things as I continue to write my blog.

Donald B. Cheke – January 13, 2025