Abstract More Art
Beginning in the early 20th century, abstract art became a leading style of modernism. Rather than portray the world in a way that represented reality, as had been the dominating style of Western art in the previous centuries, abstract paintings, prints and sculptures are marked by a shift to geometric forms, gestural shapes and experimentation with color to express ideas, subject matter and scenes.
Although abstract art flourished in the early 1900s, propelled by movements like Fauvism and Cubism, it was rooted in the 19th century. In the 1840s, J.M.W. Turner emphasized light and motion for atmospheric paintings in which concrete details were blurred, and Paul Cézanne challenged traditional expectations of perspective in the 1890s.
Some of the earliest abstract artists — Wassily Kandinsky and Hilma af Klint — expanded on these breakthroughs while using vivid colors and forms to channel spiritual concepts. Painter Piet Mondrian, a Dutch pioneer of the art movement, explored geometric abstraction partly owing to his belief in Theosophy, which is grounded in a search for higher spiritual truths and embraces philosophers of the Renaissance period and medieval mystics. Black Square, a daringly simple 1913 work by Russian artist Kazimir Malevich, was a watershed statement on creating art that was free “from the dead weight of the real world,” as he later wrote.
Surrealism in the 1920s, led by artists such as Salvador Dalí, Meret Oppenheim and others, saw painters creating abstract pieces in order to connect to the subconscious. When Abstract Expressionism emerged in New York during the mid-20th century, it similarly centered on the process of creation, in which Helen Frankenthaler’s expressive “soak-stain” technique, Jackson Pollock’s drips of paint, and Mark Rothko’s planes of color were a radical new type of abstraction.
Conceptual art, Pop art, Hard-Edge painting and many other movements offered fresh approaches to abstraction that continued into the 21st century, with major contemporary artists now exploring it, including Anish Kapoor, Mark Bradford, El Anatsui and Julie Mehretu.
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Artist Autumn Rose presents a luscious, pastel bouquet inspired by sunflowers and anemones. Rich layers of acrylic create a tactile surface, while bold black ...
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Acrylic
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Artist Sharon Sieben depicts the tall giants of the Sonoran Desert. Swift brushstrokes reveal the hot and arid landscape with steep dunes and gentle slopes. B...
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Acrylic
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A puddled hillside path reflects the sky's brilliant light just after an afternoon shower. The light gives the fall trees a soft backlit appearance. "I love t...
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Oil
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Artist John Jaster presents a vibrant still-life of delectable fruits and dainty daisies. Luscious red apples and plump strawberries sparkle on the deep gray ...
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Acrylic
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Artist Crystal DiPietro shares a spectacular mountain desert view from a camping and hiking trip to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Rendered en plein air, Crystal captured the sierra's golden summit as the sun sets, its rays melting into the west. "The late afternoon light lit up the dramatic peaks with a warm glow."
About the Artist
Many artists work with the landscape, but Crystal DiPietro sees her works as different from most in the genre. "I tend not to see landscapes as soft and pretty, but as rugged, dramatic and colorful." Many of her works depict wild storms and moody sunsets. She spends a lot of time in remote spots and uses layers of color to create her compositions. Her work hovers between a brief impression of a scene and a pure dream. Crystal's landscapes of southern Utah seem to undulate and continuously change. What's interesting, though, is that these mountains and valleys seem to do the same thing in person. In these areas, the view changes constantly throughout the day as the light shifts, throwing shadows of faces, mazes and alien patterns across the cliff faces. Crystal impressively captures what's there, and what seems to be but isn't.
Words that describe this painting: mountains, desert, peaks, sunset, landscape, southwest, west, western, plein air, Mojave, Joshua Tree, shadow, impressionism, oilpaint, impressionism, landscape, western, oil painting, blue
Sunset Glow...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
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"This piece was inspired by an early morning hike through a lush meadow filled with summer flowers," says Crystal. "The sun was just starting to creep in over...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
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Evening in an italian town. The title "Passeggiata" refers to a leisurely stroll often taken after dinner where friends meet up on the street. Dramatic lighti...
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Acrylic
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"I used artistic license to ramp up the expression of color in this piece in an effort to enhance the feeling for the viewer," explains artist Jill Poyerd. "T...
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Oil
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"When starting a work the most overlooked detail is the size of the canvas," says artist Benjamin Thomas. He explains why the size of his canvases has recentl...
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Acrylic
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A close-up view of cherry blossoms against a colorful garden by artist Colette Wirz Nauke. Inspired by the beauty found in nature, Colette focused on these seasonal flowers and their rich and captivating colors. Part of a series, this painting depicts different shades and light found in an abundant garden in the late evening.
About the Artist
Colette Wirz Nauke gathers inspiration from her surroundings and memories and fuses them with her imagination. She has been greatly influenced by Impressionism...
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Acrylic
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Relaxed and contemplative, a woman sits reclined with both legs tucked under. Artist Gail Ragains used broad strokes of color in a harmonious combination of t...
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Acrylic
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Beautiful spring blossom in a rural area. Lilac and apple trees are highlighted under the light of the spring sun. I used thick ...
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Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Screen
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This piece is one of two images of Metamorphosis. This one is the metamorphosis of a bud into a flower. The second painting, Metamorphosis II, is the metamorp...
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Oil
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A bright trio of ripe pears fills this composition by artist Sharon Sieben. Opting for a close-up view, Sharon presents a fun and playful take on still life. ...
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Oil
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Building up many layers of color in oil paint and cold wax medium, Valerie then used scrapers to reveal the tree trunks in an abstract landscape. Warm orange and yellow trees standing in front of a cool blue and green background. Heavy texture complements the expressionist palette. The piece is part of a series of three works. Although Valerie did not create them as triptych, the three hang well close together.
About the Artist
Valerie Berkely uses her finger tips as brushes to create her abstract paintings. For Valerie, the art is all about the process, the paint, her mood, and the moment. She admires the artist Wolf Kahn, who once said, “the picture is the conclusion of an experiment in which the hint of an image becomes actuality." Like Kahn, Valerie’s paintings combine pictorial landscapes with painterly abstraction. The vibrant primary colors capture the hues of the sun rising and setting, and the texture of her fingers across the surface divides sea, land, and sky. There is something very dreamy about these works, exemplified by their color, texture, and atmospheric quality. Valerie’s first “art epiphany” was seeing Seurat's La Grande Jatte at the Art Institute of Chicago. “Bowled me over! I actually fell down. And I knew I was to become a painter.”
Words that describe this painting: woods, forest, trees, nature, expressionism, nature, non-representational, oil painting, blue
Bare Trees...
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Oil
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A scene from heritage dairy and traditional crop farms located north of Frederick, Maryland. Artist Doug Cosbie painted the structures in oil, based on a plei...
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Oil
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Part of artist Marie-Eve Champagne's series exploring coastal life and memories. She paints a large growth of cacti near a beach reminiscent of hot summers an...
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Acrylic
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This painting was inspired by my view from a hotel balcony in Paris. I captured the motion and texture of the moment in my signature style to inspire the view...
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Oil
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In Sunrise at Malibu, I wanted to capture the rich plum silhouettes of the Santa Monica mountains just after dawn. On clear days after the sun rises, the cap...
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Oil
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"This piece is inspired by a steep hike in the high mountains in summer," shares artist Crystal DiPietro. As a hiker, Crystal imparts the feeling of happiness from these wonderful views she gathers during her adventurous trips. "The flower-filled alpine meadows and stunning views bring joy to the heart."
About the Artist
Many artists work with the landscape, but Crystal DiPietro sees her works as different from most in the genre. "I tend not to see landscapes as soft and pretty, but as rugged, dramatic and colorful." Many of her works depict wild storms and moody sunsets. She spends a lot of time in remote spots and uses layers of color to create her compositions. Her work hovers between a brief impression of a scene and a pure dream. Crystal's landscapes of southern Utah seem to undulate and continuously change. What's interesting, though, is that these mountains and valleys seem to do the same thing in person. In these areas, the view changes constantly throughout the day as the light shifts, throwing shadows of faces, mazes and alien patterns across the cliff faces. Crystal impressively captures what's there, and what seems to be but isn't.
Words that describe this painting: mountains, flowers, hike, landscape, alpine, peaks, wildflowers, southwest, west, western, impressionism, impressionism, landscape, western, oil painting
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
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Artist Nicole Lamothe paints a charming pink peony framed by a neutral patterned background. Her distinct brushwork creates a delicate softness about the piec...
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Oil
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A small bright yellow bird closely perches beside a young woman. Artist Sharon Sieben rendered this expressionist portrait with thick painterly strokes and fragments of dispersed bright colors. The woman, caught in a moment of thought, stands before a lightly shaded background while she entertains the personal visit.
About the Artist
Sharon Sieben prefers working in a loose, fluid technique and finds inspiration in the most unexpected things. Her parents bought her a set of oil paints when she was ten years old and it sparked her love of art. She especially admires the work of Impressionist artists such as Paul Cezanne because of how they broke tradition. When she's not making art, she enjoys reading and playing classical guitar and piano. She currently lives in Arizona.
Words that describe this painting: portrait, face, expressionism, bird, woman, expressionism, people, acrylic painting, blue
Bird Song...
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Acrylic
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Artist Janet Dyer captures a quiet strip of road in the rolling hills of rural England. Gestural broad strokes of bold and deep c...
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Acrylic
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Artist Onelio Marrero shares a glimpse into the world he inhabits with a view from his daily walks. "I have always been attracted to the surface of the water ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
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A playful scene of four boys getting ready to take their surfboards into the cool summer waters. While contemplating the incoming waves, the sun moves across the sky drawing long shadows on the sand. "This piece reminds me of fun relaxing times at the beach during the summer months," shares artist Claudia Verciani.
About the Artist
Inspired by the great Impressionist painters, Claudia uses paint emotionally to depict the beauty of life. She is most inspired by light, and as such, tends to paint en plein air frequently. Claudia strives to capture singular, transient moments in time in which the contrast between light and dark values are striking. She presents a body of work that conveys traditionally Impressionist influences across varying choices of subject matter.
Words that describe this painting: beach, ocean, boys, play, impressionism, seascape, surf, surfboards, shore, sand, water, waves, children, kids, impressionism, people, seascape, representational, oil painting, blue
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Oil
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"This is a calf from a herd I met in Pagosa Springs, Colorado," shares artist Heather Foster. "I wanted the bold underpainting to show through and give a dist...
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Acrylic
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An abstract garden scene with purple, blue, and white flowers dancing on a backdrop of fresh greens. Part of a series of small-scale works inspired by the bright colors and lively motifs of spring.
About the Artist
Romanian-born painter Diana Chelaru’s paintings are colorful and contemporary interpretations of human emotion. For Diana, art is a means of communication. “It is how I express my thoughts, hopes, regrets and joys,” she says. Though she gets great pleasure from applying paint to canvas, it is the expression of emotions that she finds to be most important. Diana’s style is influenced by Byzantine mosaics as well as Gustav Klimt’s subject matter and use of decorative patterns within his compositions. Each artwork is created intuitively, resulting in paintings that speak to the soul.
Words that describe this painting: flowers, floral, patterns, abstract, garden, spring, expressionism, flora, acrylic painting, green
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Acrylic
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A luminous view of a pond capturing the gentle ripple of the water. Slender blades of grass emerge, casting reflections on the surface. When asked about his p...
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Acrylic
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In this contemporary expressionist portrait, artist Ryan Pickart explores negative space with ethereal shapes. The model's gentle ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Paper, Acrylic
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Nancy Merkle spends a lot of time exploring the nature around her home in Tacoma, Washington searching for special compositions in the landscape. She looks fo...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Soft light falls tenderly upon a pink waterlily in full bloom at Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California. "In this painting, I wanted the water lil...
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Oil
Artist Comments
While the artist painted this scene from life, the aroma of lavender filled the studio. "The atmosphere seemed to calm the storms of the day," Pamela recalls....
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Paper, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Inspired by the fall foliage in New York, artist Colette Wirz Nauke offers a colorful view of the changing landscape. "I used bold brush strokes and movement,...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A whimsical painting celebrating spring with pink cherry blossoms amidst a fresh purple and green background. "I painted with overlapping vivid colors," share...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A fervent hiker and camper, artist Crystal DiPietro invites the viewer on an adventure of the majestic wilderness of the southwest. "This piece is about stand...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
"This peaceful composition was inspired by the lush green colors of a summer day in the forest, with the softening effect of light rain and the sun finding it...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A modernist portrait combining a realistic face and an abstract figure. Artist Ryan Pickart uses bold linework to explore how the ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
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"Isolation sometimes bodes well for artists," says Mary Pratt with a smile. "Since I am a people person, being trapped in my house has allowed me to paint wit...
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Oil
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A lone multi-colored tree stands proudly in the middle of the composition, hazy and dream-like with its undefined edges. A gentle reflection of these fall col...
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Oil
Artist Comments
A dreamy still life of peach and white roses, a gold-rimmed teacup, and a red candle. "Edges, edges, edges," says artist Lisa Nielsen. "The longer I paint the...
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Oil
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Naoko describes this vibrant scene as a walled garden where all kinds of herbs and medieval plants are in full bloom. The sun shines brightly, illuminating th...
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Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Mandy Main based this painting on a walk she took in Tuscany just after a rainstorm. Billowing clouds float in the robin's egg blue sky. Long shadows e...
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Oil
Artist Comments
This landscape painting focuses on a country farmhouse on the edge of a plowed field. Lush green foliage extends into the background and warm and cool crop li...
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Acrylic
Artist Comments
On a solo hike, I passed through some beautiful aspen groves. It was early morning and the sunlight was filtering in behind. I noticed a lone, small pine grow...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
A panoramic view of peaks along the Utah/Colorado border. Crystal says she was inspired by a beautiful September hike up South Mountain in the La Sal Range in...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
Broad strokes of blue and green merge with the strong lines of the figure to create a sense of lightness and buoyancy. "This painting was inspired by a holida...
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Acrylic
Artist Comments
This piece was inspired by the vibrant cheerful colors. Metallic and interference colors were used to create a vibrant effect. This piece is on gallery wrapp...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Part of a series inspired by Colette's journey through the french countryside. An abstracted foreground gives way to a small village scene, with the town chur...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
This ethereal portrait of a woman represents a fleeting encounter that fades away. Rendered with soft light, the painting mimics the quality of a dream disapp...
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Oil
Artist Comments
This imagined landscape captures the drama of crashing waves, or a desert rock face against a cloudy sky. I worked with a seascape ...
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Oil
Artist Comments
This small tree stands by itself and is shining in a very pure and translucent yellow. It looks like a drop of sweet honey or a fragment of star dust. This pa...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic
Artist Comments
Building up many layers of color in oil paint and cold wax medium, Valerie then used scrapers to reveal the tree trunks in an abstract landscape. Warm orange and yellow trees standing in front of a cool blue and green background. Heavy texture complements the expressionist palette. The piece is part of a series of three works. Although Valerie did not create them as triptych, the three hang well close together.
About the Artist
Valerie Berkely...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
Artist Comments
The bare branches and textured grasses in this piece were painted mostly with a palette knife, giving it the broken, wild feeling of nature. In addition to th...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
2010s Abstract More Art
Photographic Paper
2010s Abstract More Art
Canvas, Acrylic, Oil Pastel, Pencil
Artist Comments
This painting is on gallery wrapped canvas with white edges. It comes ready to hang.
About the Artist
Painting is not merely an aesthetic endeavor ...
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract More Art
Oil
