An Inspired Collection of the Best of Abstract Art!

Abstract art is a visual language--a riot of color, a profound explosion of texture and shape, a quiet collision of forms. Dynamic works of art can showcase pastel painting, showcase watercolor flowers, or even build off pen and ink drawings. Abstract artists are limited only by their imagination. And through instinct, composition and an inspired color palette, they translate emotions, ideas or experiences into immersive images you want to explore again and again.This book is a stunning volume of more than 100 award-winning abstract works showcasing the colorful and expressive nature of contemporary abstract art. Pieces have been hand-selected from the Pastel Journal's Pastel 100 competitions and The Artist's Magazine's annual competitions, hard-bound to provide years of beauty and enjoyment.Each painting is accompanied by an insightful critique from the artist. You may discover oil painting tips, watercolor techniques, details about creative process, artistic inspiration, and revelations on why abstraction is an important art form.

Published in The New Palette Magazine Issue #71 2019

Bringin in the Light of Awareness by Catherine Mein

Am I Awake? Awake to the beauty around me and all the possibilities
in front of me? Am I awake to the many relationships that present themselves and how I respond to them? These are questions I ask myself. I find much of our lives are lived unconsciously in our daily habits that we reinforce day to day. Rather than that, I want to be alive and centered in the vibrant awareness of creating my life.

So as I paint, I explore, create, stretch, expand, rearrange and move into a present moment of awareness, depth and intuition. I am breathing, breathing into the painting and deeply listening, responding and then letting go, surrendering and being in the silence of the painting as it emerges. It is then that I know it has a life of its own and means so much more than I had intended. I try to acknowledge and surrender to the divine essence that wants to express itself.

I walk in this land of color, texture, lines, shapes and the power of light and darkness as I explore the depth of this divine mystery. I am expanding my awareness of a voice that needs to be heard. It may not be fully understood or it could be explained in a hundred different ways. An iconic message that might speak to the ages. We artists do not do this work alone. I believe we are all part of a divine thread that holds and connects us. A circle uniting us and enfolding us into our true potential.

With this in mind I began working on 4” x 4” canvas where I created a series called Relationships Coming Full Circle I, II and III using acrylic paints, various textures, oriental papers and many hand painted papers, stencils and calligraphic marks. I also introduced a grid pattern in a tic tac toe format with points of interest created by the circle rhythms throughout the painting.

These paintings represent to me a celebration of the fullness of life, especially as found in relationships. They embody coming full circle in a conversation that is meaningful or in a close relationship where you have seen most sides of a person and really love them for who they are in all of

their strengths and weaknesses. The use of the bright and colorful circles in these pieces remind me of people coming together for a unified cause yet having individuality and diversity as they show themselves through the peep hole spaces throughout the work. The muted circles in the background are a tribute to the past and what we have learned from our elders and how we can continue to grow in their wisdom and knowledge. The lines of truth and justice found in the black serrated and copper lined paper in the center of each painting stands for being in the present alive and aware to what is going on in the world. These are some of the things that I see and feel in this piece. Yet the beauty of art lies in the concept that all of us looking at this work can see it with our own eyes and our own interpretation.

As an abstract artist, I love the process of working on my paintings as much as the end result. I enter into a relationship with my painting and listen to the power of my intuitive creative voice. I am inspired by the many levels of discovery in working with colors, textures, patterns, papers and my imagination. I try to be aware of mastering my craft and producing high quality work that is authentic and beautiful! I would like to invite you, my fellow artists, to be fully aware of and appreciate the sacredness of creating the art that is deep in your soul as you share it and give it to the world. Believe in yourself and know that we all have our own unique visual story that can be authentic and inspirational.