Understanding Abstract Painting - Part IV

"I don't know much about art, but I know what IDiebenkorn. None of us recognized the work. We
like". This cliché is an expression that has beenhad no idea that it was by a famous artist, but
said in many ways by many people. Knowingwe all saw the value of the piece. What was it
what you like is a good thing...beingabout this painting that made it stand out from
unknowledgeable is not. I want to make the casethe rest? Why did we all vote it in?
for educating yourself about art in order to betterThe group of people "judging" were all amateur
enjoy it. I'll start with an experience I had while inartists. We work at creating art. We look at a lot
a painting workshop taught by Donna Watson.of art. We study art. We have developed a
Donna is an accomplished painter who started herpalette for recognizing excellence in art. We
career painting scenes of clapboard houses andapproached this exercise with at least some
the lovely azalea bushes of her Northwesterneducation about art and our education gave us
town near Seattle. She changed her direction tosome common ground on which to judge. Allow
one of nonobjective abstracts that may include ame to make a comparison from another creative
small animal skull or birds nest as part of its mixedendeavor, winemaking.
media ingredients. She is a knowledgeable artistI live in wine country. A typical weekend pastime
and her goal in the workshop was to make usfor my husband and I and friends is to visit
more knowledgeable artists. One of the exerciseswineries for tastings. At the wineries, we often
she put us through underscored that goal.receive instruction on what to look for in the
Donna grouped us around a projector and told uswine, how to smell it and taste it, and how to
that we were to imagine that we were judgesenjoy it. We also drink wine often; all kinds of
for a local art show and would be deciding whichwine, from "two buck Chuck" to some fairly
paintings submitted by artists would be included inpricey brands. Without even being aware of what
the show and which ones would be "juried out".we are doing, we are educating ourselves about
(This is a process used in most local and allwine. I don't think of myself as a wine
regional and national shows to insure that theconnoisseur; my limited sense of smell probably
quality of the show is substantial.) Donna wouldprecludes that avocation, but I had an experience
project a slide of a piece of artwork and wethat let me know what I had gained from my
would vote by a hand raised if we thought thiswine tasting experiences.
piece should be included. After the voting, we hadI opened a bottle that had been a house gift,
a short discussion during which those who votedpoured a glass, and took a sip as I was preparing
the piece in would express their reasons fordinner. To my surprise, I could taste the oak of
including the work and those who voted it outthe barrel, cherries, and a touch of pear just like
would explain why they thought it should bethe wine pourers often say. The wine sang to
excluded.me. I totally enjoyed it. This is what can happen
Every piece had its supporters and naysayers,when you look at abstract paintings after you
often split 50-50. Then the last slide was shown. Ittake the time to educate yourself about art.
was a rather mundane painting of an art studioKnowing what goes into a great painting can
sink. Every hand went up. For the first time wemake that painting sing to you. You will be able to
were unanimous in our approval of the piece. Thatsay, "I know something about art, and I know
slide was a "ringer". Donna had inserted among allwhy I know what I like." My next article will begin
of the amateur pieces, a little known painting of aexploring the necessary ingredients that go into
world renowned abstract expressionist, Richardcreating a great abstract painting.