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Modern abstract painting: Abstract art step by step

Tie #11. New abstract creation by Antonio Basso

This post is about a new abstract painting I´ve been working on for the last two and a half weeks. Yes, sometimes it takes time to finish a good abstract art work!

Each abstract painting I make is not finished until it is. What does this mean? My experience tells me that the decision is mainly unconscious (at least apparently). When a modern and commited painting is finished you simply know it.

Each abstract art composition I make when working in my abstract series Ties, starts this way:

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I get the canvas. In this case it´s a fantastic 73 x 100 cms with burlap. I get the hemp strings whose length and diameter I adapt to each canvas surface. I get the slim wire and the small organic cords. Then I start tiying.

My abstract creation process takes time. I tie and untie until I get a composition I like. It has to be one that does not remind me to anything at all, and it must transmit tension. Before deciding it´s ok, I leave it in the studio for some days…

antonio basso, contemporary art, modern art, art gallery, abstract art, modern abstract art

I look at it from different angles, with different lights and different muds. I take detailed pictures that I carefully watch. I turn it upsidedown, put it vertical, then horizontal. I tie additional strings, I start ripping the burlap using a cutter. I keep doing this until I decide that the composition works.

Then…

antonio basso, contemporary art, modern art, art gallery, abstract art, modern abstract art

I start adding color to the abstract painting. For this Tie #11 I used gesso that I mixed with white and black acrylic until I got an interesting mix and surface. This moment is impressive. It´s magical when the strings start having color. Just amazing!!!.

antonio basso, contemporary art, modern art, art gallery, abstract art, modern abstract art

I keep adding free brushes and drippings (both vertically and horizontally). I love when the paint slowly flows around the unfinsihed burlap surface covering either unpainted or already painted spaces.

I always try to work completly inside the abstract painting. My mind has to be 100% concentrated on the action. The process has to be as unconscious as possible in order to work. I know my mind knows what to do and what my focus is. If I trust it and let it go it makes me do what I have to do. This is part of my artist commitment.

antonio basso, contemporary art, modern art, art gallery, abstract art, modern abstract art

At this point, I stoped. I made some new pictures where I tried to capture each detail of this abstract painting. Again, I watched them carefully.

antonio basso, contemporary art, modern art, art gallery, abstract art, modern abstract art

antonio basso, contemporary art, modern art, art gallery, abstract art, modern abstract art

antonio basso, contemporary art, modern art, art gallery, abstract art, modern abstract art

If I like small parts better than the complete painting, it means I have to continue working on it. In Tie #11 there was something missing. I discovered it was additional color. It had to be one that help me enhance “tension”. I decided to add a fabulous orange, and I did it directly from the tube.

antonio basso, contemporary art, modern art, art gallery, abstract art, modern abstract art

And yes, It worked pretty well. Don´t you agree?

antonio basso, contemporary art, modern art, art gallery, abstract art, modern abstract art

Once finished I leave the new modern abstract painting in the studio and watch it for several days before starting a new one.  Doing this, I get to understand it better. Barnett Newman (one of the greatest abstract expressionists), said in this interview that the first time he added one of his famous zips to a painting, he left it there for 8 months before understanding what and why he had done.

To finish this post, I want to add some definitions of the word tie: action of tying / thing that is used for tying  / union or strong relationship between two people or things / something that prevents or delays the development of an action / lock.

Have you gotten any personal tie?. Is there something or someone that is delaying your personal developement? Please comment.

ps: this blog is dedicated to the ones that aling their habilities with their passions.

Should you be interested in adquiring or exhibiting any of my abstract art painting series, take a look at them here and contact me using the comment below.

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2 Responses to "Modern abstract painting: Abstract art step by step"

  • yolandaibz
    February 9, 2012 - 3:51 pm Reply

    He estado en el estudio del artista Antonio Basso, y hay una pieza que me ha encantado, su ultima obra TIE N12 , una excelente combinación de texturas y materiaes con una fuerza que me ha recordado una naturaleza muerta del sXXI. ¿Cuando será tu próxima exposición?

    • yasoypintor
      February 9, 2012 - 5:13 pm Reply

      Gracias Yolanda. Un placer enseñarte toda mi última serie de pinturas abstractas.

      La semana que viene estaré en Arco. En cuanto tenga las fechas de mi próxima exposición te aviso.

      Un beso y gracias

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