30 Days of Abstract Art

For the entire month of April I decided to mix it up in my art studio. This year is about exploration, so why not? I created totally non-representational mini paintings every day as a way to loosen up and explore and have fun! These small 5” x 7” abstract paintings became my daily practice and I posted on social media as I went along.

I used different types of watercolor paper, some cold press, some hot press. I used regular graphite pencil, black charcoal, white charcoal and a fantastic tool called a Faber-Castell Graphite Aquarelle Pencil. This pencil sketches like normal, but reacts when introduced to water. Very exciting! I used white acrylic paint and a palette knife. Sometimes pen. And of course, a variety of watercolor paints.

Each day I would go into the studio and just take a moment to be totally present. I used a technique called intuitive painting and just allowed whatever tool or color or movement of my hand to flow out of me at that time. No judgment, no rules, no end goal in mind. Sometimes I’d do a series of washes or layers. On certain pieces, they were complete in one session. Others, I came back to a few hours later to add more.

I noticed that I tended to draw in similar motions or patterns, so when I observed that happening, I’d purposely switch up the movement of my hand or the direction of my page. Each painting is totally unique and sometimes they reflect the mood or emotion of that particular day.

After 30 days, I looked back on the full line up of paintings and asked how I grew from this experience. I discovered tat I learned to let go and be free and to allow myself to be purely creative without restrictions. I painted for the simple joy of painting. I definitely want to create larger abstract paintings going forward. I’m excited to see what’s next in my creative practice.

It can be frustrating to not know what is next and to not have a clearly defined plan. But I am learning to embrace that both in life and in my studio.

I hope my 30 day challenge inspires you to mix up your own creativity and start something new for yourself!

❤️🎨😁