The term “non-representational art” is used to describe works of art that do not attempt to represent objects or people. Such art may be abstract or figurative, but if it is figurative, the figures are distorted beyond normal recognition.
Non-representational art may be produced by the use of a wide range of media including drawing, painting, photography and printmaking. The styles employed vary greatly and may include expressionism, cubism, minimalism and surrealism.
A blog dedicated to non-representational art: general art concepts, what non-representational art is and some of the main ideas behind its basic themes.
The Art of Non-Representational Painting is my personal website and blog. I have been working as a professional artist since 1970. This site is an art blog which also acts as a resource for general art concepts which are applicable to non-representational art.
I have been painting professionally since 1970. My work has been exhibited in solo and group shows throughout New England and the United States, including several exhibitions at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield, Connecticut. My work has also been shown abroad in Canada, Germany, Japan and Australia.
Titles of recent exhibits include: “Experimental Works on Paper”, “Transitions”, “Connecting the Dots” and “The Perception Series”. Exhibitions scheduled include: “A Series of Paintings on Paper” and “The Journey Series”.
Hello, I am the artist Leif Podhajsky. I have been creating “non-representational” art for the past 10 years. Coming from a traditional fine arts background I was frustrated with the lack of ability to create unique paintings. I realized that one could only express his or her own ideas in art if the work is a direct reflection of their own personality, however once you leave your studio, your work becomes public and open for interpretation by others.
I have spent much time researching art throughout history, and what has inspired me is that even though artists had fewer tools than we do today, they were still able to produce amazing pieces of art that stand out from the rest and are now considered masterpieces.
This blog will be used to discuss my thoughts on non-representational art theory, as well as showcase my latest works of art. I hope you enjoy!
Leif Podhajsky
This is a very important concept that many people don’t understand. It’s a very difficult concept to learn and everyone goes through it differently.
The blank canvas is the purest form of art.
There are no rules or guidelines, no restrictions and there’s nothing you must do. The only thing you must do is what feels right, what feels good at that moment, and if that means drawing on the canvas with your shoe, then so be it.
The blank canvas is there for you to fill however you desire. There are no right or wrong ways to do it, although everyone has their own technique or style. Some people simply draw lines and shapes on the canvas without any meaning or purpose (which I have never understood as I see it as a waste of time). But this doesn’t make them any less of an artist because they didn’t choose to put meaning into their work, but instead just drew lines.
A blank canvas allows for endless possibilities and endless creativity. You can do anything you want, take risks and experiment with things you normally wouldn’t dare to attempt (because in art there really are no mistakes).
A blank canvas is the starting point of all artists, whether they realize it or not. It is a place for creative inspiration to begin. In art, the blank canvas is a place where one can create an art piece, which could be a painting, drawing, sculpture, or any other medium. A blank canvas can also be a place where one’s mind can be clear and fresh.
Many artists start with something in mind to create on their canvas, but some do not. Some may just start with something random in order to see what happens, while others may just want to get started on creating their art piece.
Artists have different ways of going about creating their pieces on their blank canvases. Some may start by drawing out the shapes that will appear in their work or putting down some colors that will be used. Others may use other methods to help them get started, such as writing down ideas for what they want to do or using words or images from magazines or other sources.”
In short, the ruling theory of painting for a century or more was that it was a visual representation of reality. The canvas was to be treated as if it were transparent and the image painted upon it lay on a surface in front of the viewer.
The Art Nouveau movement began in the 1880s and lasted until World War I. It had its roots in the Aesthetic movement, which began in England in 1848, spread to other European countries, and reached Germany by 1859. The Aesthetic Movement believed that art should have no purpose other than its own beauty, and sought to achieve this through the pursuit of “truth to nature” and “truth to feeling.” In other words, they believed that art should be based on natural forms and emotions rather than on idealized notions of beauty.
They believed that all artistic endeavor should relate directly to nature. This belief led them away from painting subjects that required idealization (such as historical or religious themes), toward subjects drawn from nature (landscapes, still lifes, portraits).
There was a reaction against this movement among artists who felt that it was too restrictive. Some artists wanted to create art with no purpose other than its own beauty; others wanted to paint scenes or images with symbolic content; others rejected