Attention: What Do I Do?

What do I do? The cocktail party answer is that I'm an artist. What kind of art do I do? Abstract painting is the answer that most people are satisfied with. Then I usually get,"I don't understand abstract." or "I don't like abstract." Does anyone like dentists? I don't tell them that I'm not a fan of their work. So what is my daily pursuit with brushes and paint? I spend a great deal of time trying to make a picture of something that's never been seen before. I paint in an abstract expressioniast style with mostly acrylic paints on several substrates. I'm currently switching my painting base to a more sculptural surface, starting with paper, then cloth and eventually metal. What is the reason that I paint in abstract? After years of painting portraits in watercolor, I discovered that I loved working in abstract in a class that I took on a whim. I discovered my big passionate pursuit. I have a feeling that most abstract painters are searching for some kind of meaning in abstract artwork. For myself, I think it's more of a puzzle-solving effort. Can I find the painting and bring it forth? Perhaps that is the meaning of abstract for me, the solution.

What does it mean for me to practice? I paint in my studio 4-5 days per week. I make small studies on cradled board until I have a form that I want to try larger, then I work on large canvases for several days before the painting is resolved. I work on several canvases at one time, to rest the work or to let it dry. Visually I'm adding transparent layers to make forms that are both microscopic and galactic. My palette is currently analogous in the warm tone scale, lots of reds, oranges, and yellows. I'm searching for a feeling of creation and destruction at the same time. My works tend to be dark, with an opening through which light is seen. My reds are blood red and the use of a bright palette is intentional. Life is bright and dark and hot. Out of the studio, throughout the year, I enter and show in exhibits, although not as many since the pandemic. I am part of several artists groups, including one that produces an open studio tour where my working studio is open to the public once a year. My digital footprint could use some polishing, because my instagram is woefully neglected, but I do have a footprint. I occasionally sell my artwork. Could I sell more? I hope so.

Is my practice a professional practice? I personally consider it professional but I looked up the definition of the word professional and I think I'm there. Do I practice my work for gain? Yes, I sell my work. Do I conduct my practice in a businesslike and courteous manner? Yes, I put myself out there and take this seriously. And I would add that I spend more than 35 hours per week at this practice, making it full time, and it is my main pursuit. So my professional practice is abstract expressionist painting, with a continually expanding public presence.