The amount of people who seem to think, that they need an explanation from the artist for the particular piece of Abstract Art is bothering me.

I refuse to believe that they are not seeing or feeling anything; If I would believe this, I would have to assume that the people have become emotionally numb and that there is no way of saving our human race.

So, I rather have the suspicion that they are not confident enough to express their emotions. That society has taught them, one way or another, that it is not cool or right or even dangerous to express emotions publicly.

”Don’t wear your emotions on the outside of your sleeve. It makes you vulnerable!”

People seem to think they embarrass themselves if they speak up about emotions; seem to be scared to say something wrong.

These days showing emotion is repudiated. It makes you vulnerable!

Let me give you my job description as an Abstract Artist:

1. Be open to emotions
2. Control and articulate emotions
3. Transfer my emotions in an Abstract Painting
4. Barre them to every person receptive
5. Let my deepest personal turmoil stream out in the world

and with that, prepare a space in which my audience is allowed to feel, to receive, and to process their feelings

6. Finally, if I have done my job well…

Make emotions more understandable

And make you see that you are not alone with your emotions and there is an understanding and a way to deal.

Does this job description make me feel vulnerable? Yes!! Every day!!

If I lose my ability for Abstraction I’ll become numb. The ability to abstract my feelings, however bothering and confusing they are, gives me the ability to see and feel beauty.

Some days I am creating out of calmness, satisfaction, and contentment, love and strength on others out of emotional overload, uncertainty and anxiety, but nevertheless I create a beautiful piece of Abstract Art; a container full of emotions with a colorful, meaningful exterior.

Abstraction takes our brain away from reality only to open a door to access a new emotional state.

This is my present to my audience. I lay my emotions barre only to rise up again. Take a step into Abstraction – be able to see Beauty.

Don’t write Abstract Art off as something useless.

We, as an individual need to be able to see beauty; to heal, to be strong and to withstand the requirements of our reality.

So go and take a plunge in the Abstract Art World I offer you. Be strong!

Have a peak at my Website Lakritz.co.za

The post Losing the ability of Abstraction – Losing the Ability of seeing Beauty appeared first on Lakritz Art.

I’m drawn to colors and structures; even a patch of old paint mixed with moos and mold on an old brick wall holds a certain beauty for me. A rusty metal piece at a chunk yard can be very intriguing and the woman in the street dressed in red, pink and orange at the same time, sends me almost over the edge. I have to get home in my studio and transform this energy; awoken in me, now rippling up and down my spine into an energy bursting painting.

Everything is allowed, every tool and material I can get my hands on. Splurging colors, roaring power tools and I spinning around with my brush and very likely color all over me fill my studio space for hours to come; until slowly exhaustion and peace takes over the scene.

Looking at the abstract painting with distance a feeling of peace and quiet takes hold of me. The chaos I felt, tamed by the process, has been turned into an object concealing this energy.

Abstract Art is a way to bring order to the chaos in my head; process the overload I’m often being confronted with.

I also work in other mediums like ceramic and photography but none of these processes is so physical; even physically and mentally exhausting. Creating a peace of Abstract Art is for me THE satisfying and a liberating process I need to feel in control of my emotions.

Being physically in the presents of an Abstract Painting intensifies the streaming and receiving flow of Energy. So don’t miss out on the next exhibition.

Go to my website Lakritz.co.za and have a look at my Art in the Gallery. Let me take you on a journey of emotions. Sign up for my newsletter so that you don’t miss out on the next opportunity to be touched by my Abstract Art.

The post Abstract Art – Why I became an Abstract Painter appeared first on Lakritz Art.

As an Abstract Artist who has only recently moved to East London, I have to say I find myself very appreciative of this lovely Gallery Space and hope to be able to host quite a few shows myself in this beautiful setting.

This said, let me tell you about my next project which is around the Corner and held in this beautiful setting.

Sahasra-Life is served…

The Collaboration between a well-known Poet, from East London, Pralene Mahabir, and myself.

I don’t intend to reveal everything just yet, but…

1. Colorful Contemporary Abstract Art meets Poetry on the Evening of the 2^nd of December 2021
2. Live Poetry Reading will open the inspirational evening
3. Before being guided by the story, told by Art and Poetry the journey leads you through the gallery space.
4. Your physical Well-being is taken care off

Canapes by the Kitchen table and Craft Gin by Stadpoort Gin will be on Sale

With this evening Pralene Mahabir and I wish to give you a place to reflect on the dying year, to come to peace with the present and the more immediate Past; gather strength and hope for the future.

As a contemporary artist, my mission is to open new emotional spaces for my audience, let the energy flow, and show you one of the many ways to deal with the Life served.

So I hereby asked you to pencil down this Date, 02.12.2021, 6 pm, and join us at the Ann Bryant Art Gallery in East London.

You the audience are important to us, without you the arts no longer survive. The audience makes us a success.

Let’s show this beautiful historical Building and its Gallery the honor of bringing it to life for one more evening of Art and Entertainment in the Year 2021.

For more information have a look here under upcoming exhibitions.

See you soon.

• Lakritz

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What kind of people do we need to create a better future? I would say People who are open-minded and can overthink complex situations. Creative problem-solver, who can bring order to chaos and create a new and better composition. Who is not afraid of change, rather wants to be a part of it. 

Don’t wait for something to happen, prepare yourself for change and be part of it.

Abstract Art in your home and workplace brings not only beauty and happiness, but also subtly broadens your mind; by simply looking at it.

Abstract Art can teach you to read complex situations, to see and feel deeper, more intense. While your eyes are looking at a symphony of colors, shapes, marks, and structures your brain start to analyze, shift, divide and shape… Until you see past the surface and specific shapes are emerging.

An ability you can gain by surrounding yourself with abstract Art, an ability that can free our society from its momentary paralysis.

Be part of the change we need.

Let’s use  Contemporary Abstract Art to our advantage.

If we want to make our life and the world a better place we need 

• Inspiration.
• The ability to see the bigger picture 
• A clear and structured mind with wide-open doors for problem-solving
• A healthy body and mind, to be physically strong and mentally at our best to withstand the challenges life throws at us

Make the Arts an important part of our education system. But even later in Life use Abstract Art to change your life.

We Contemporary Abstract Artists find constantly new ways to inspire people in the way we express ourselves, barre ourselves, in form of material, color, or a new technic. We lay the issue on hand straight out in front of the audience.

We teach to find understanding in chaos, to see the one door which gives you access to the so desperately needed solution. Abstract Art trains the eye and different parts of the brain alike. The Trainees become over time more and more skilled to bring order to the chaos.

Studies have shown that Abstract Art opens our brain to different emotional phases which are usually hidden from us.

Our mind becomes more skilled. It opens up and increases the functional speed. A Powerful, but controlled machine, ready to withstand every challenge life has to offer.

Abstract Art has also been discovered as a form of therapy. It is a tool to express emotions like anger, frustration, anxiety even depression which usually is something, People who suffer from it, are not able to express easily.

So again the randomly appearing chaos on the canvas is no chaos whatsoever, actually in therapy it is the way to bring order to the chaos of emotion we carry sometimes.

An outlet! A cure! The participant becomes healthier and stronger.

You filled your home with Abstract Art and while the same makes your home more beautiful and invigorating, it fills it with positive energy, you benefit from all the above-mentioned positive Impacts on your brain and mental health. Only by surrounding yourself with it at home, you have made yourself happier, healthier, and more successful.

So I urge you to take this concept also to work. Fill your workplace with Abstract Art, make it more beautiful and let every person around you also profit from this benefit.

 You would create a better work environment, more productive and efficient and more foremost more enjoyable.

Which equals the aquation to happier, healthier and more successful people in the world.

It is in our hands, it is our responsibility and our action that makes a difference in our life. 

Let’s do it! Let’s use the tool we have to make an impact on our life. We all will benefit from it in the end.

The post How Contemporary Abstract Art can help us to get closer to a new and better future? appeared first on Lakritz Art.

As an Artist, you are as good as your poorest piece of work, and the only one to determine that is yourself.

Family and friends might like it, the gallerist might like it, even a frequent customer might like it, but the only person you have to please is yourself. It shows your life, your emotions; it is your expression and it shouts in the world what you have to say, so you are the barometer to read.

I have whole batches of work which I worked over from a different time of my life and they became a completely new direction of work and much stronger and more confident.

Now I can say these paintings are me!

When I get ready for an Exhibition I always have the feeling there is one more painting to do or show. I stand in front of every single one and contemplate…

Does it tell everything I want the observer to know and/or even more?

I believe my paintings are never really finished. These pictures of my soul are evolving as I work on them and some are still doing this as my life and expectations are evolving.

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