About
Abstract Realism
The use of the endless varieties and styles of expression through abstraction in combination with some aspect of reality. The interaction between the two creates a third, difficult to describe, and unique perspective of these counterpoint ideas.
Abstract Realism and Photographic Manipulation
Photography - "A two dimensional, abstracted interpretation of a three dimensional world."
It was a few years ago when I first showed my designs to anyone. I had been doing them for awhile mostly as a fun hobby to satisfy my creative nature. The first impressions were interesting as no one was quite sure what they were looking at. They all asked what it was and what was it called. Not being a trained artist myself, I had no idea. I certainly was aware of the increasing prevalence of digital imagery in the world, but I wasn't sure whether certain forms of it could be categorized as a particular form of art. I went on line to look and see if I could answer that question. If you think of a spectrum, you can put realism on one end and abstraction on the other. Abstract Realism occupies the space in between and can be represented toward one end of the spectrum or the other or right in the middle. The art form appeals personally to my own eye and can provide an unlimited opportunity of self expression.
I am old enough to remember when the synthesizer first burst on the the scene in the music industry. Purists lamented it was cheating and was not a legitimate means of creating musical art. Fast forward now fifty years, and the thought of music void of this technology is laughable. The same can be said now for the use of digital photographic manipulation software to create photographic art. Photoshopping as it is colloquially defined these days, is now so prevalent in digital/print art that there is no going back. The new generation is certainly accepting of its usage in the creation of art. I appreciate the opportunity it provides me which allow a means of self expression I would not otherwise have.
The artwork contained in the Gallery is all based on an initial photograph at its core. None of the images were graphically drawn. The original photo is treated more as the raw material for the design rather than the finished product. Below is a quick example of one of the ways I use this technology in my artwork. It can provide context of photo editing that many of you can experience and use as well.