Abstract Expressionism . What is it?
     If you really want to know what goes on inside the mind of an artist, you must take a look at his/her Abstract Expressionistic paintings. I have been an artist all my life and have found what I truly feel deep inside myself is limited and restricted as to what I put on canvas. The most restricted art form for self expression is portraits. Artists are restrained from any form of self expression since they must paint exactly what they see. When commissioned to paint a portrait, the subject demands and wants a flattering recognizable replica of them self. Still life is almost the same except the artist can change things a little, but still, an apple must look like an apple.
     Landscapes are a little freer because the artist can move the trees, the rocks, the clouds and the flow of water. They can make it rain or snow. The day can be sunny and bright or dull and gray. On a landscape canvas an artist can 'play God', but they are merely copying the image of a tree, etc. as designed by God through nature. And still the artist's inner feelings and emotions are suppressed and limited.
     The representation of the seascape art is one of my favorites, but not for self expression. Water must still look like water and not milk, orange juice or ink. There are those limitations again. Figurative art, art that clearly describes and represents the human figure, is similar to portrait art in that it restricts self expression. If I draw an extremely odd looking person, it just won't do . it doesn't work. For artists to truly express themselves, abstract art is the only way to go.
     At this time in my life I truly believe that Abstract Expressionism is the only art form that comes from the soul of the artist. There are no limitations and no restrictions to the free expression of the artist's talent. Artists paint exactly what is going on inside their mind and not only at the moment of painting, but also it is that which has created their inner soul from happenings throughout their life. Abstract Expressionism is not just a picture . it is an event. On that particular canvas will be the artist's beliefs, prejudices and emotions. Their true feelings will emerge in the painting. If they are kind and generous, cruel and selfish, at peace or in turmoil, it will all be displayed on the canvas.
     An artist starts by putting a splash of paint on the canvas without any previously advanced planning. The event begins and it becomes all consuming; emanating from the soul of the artist. It is the soul that tells artists where to put the next splash or shape and in whatever color excites them. As the event continues, more and more shapes and colors go on that wonderful cloth called canvas. Music is playing in the heart of the artist and it affects everything that is being placed on the canvas. That still small voice that's deep inside them gets louder and more emphatic directing the hand and the brush with emotional feeling. Without judgment, they listen and do what that inner voice dictates. After a few hours of exposing their soul and releasing everything from deep within them, they stand back to see what they have created. They are looking at themselves. It is not a mirror image they see, but an image of their very soul that they know and recognize as their own.
     So when you look at an Abstract Expressionistic painting, you are looking into the soul of the artist. That is what Abstract Expressionism is; the real and true form of art.

Before I started to paint the picture above I said a prayer and asked God to paint this one for me. When I was finished about four hours later and stepped back to really look at it and I was shocked and surprised to see Jesus holding the love symbol and blessing the world. I did not plan this. It was a happening.

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