Abstract Workshop: "Deepen the Mystery"

Abstract Painting Workshop with Howie Doyle

Click this link for the official event page!

This stress-free workshop is aimed at helping artists enrich their personal work by incorporating abstraction in useful ways. Artist Francis Bacon famously said, "The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery." As artists we do this by reaching beyond what we know, into the realm of intuition and expression. For many this can be either intimidating, or they feel it is difficult to get “outside the box.” By freeing your creative self, each artist can confidently produce finished work that has far-reaching impact.

This workshop will encourage loose, creative experimentation, a fearless approach to the canvas, and working with a specific, focused intent to help guide the painting to a meaningful finish. Attendees will work with acrylic paints on canvas, but the methods and concepts work with any visual art or other creative endeavor, and can enhance future realistic and subjective works in addition to opening new doors of perception for the right brain to exploit in visual art.

Participants will take home printed notes recalling and summarizing the information presented in the workshop.

The workshop will cover:

• Design elements (shape, line, texture)

• Structural concepts (mechanical, geological, ethereal, minimal, morphological)

• Meta-concepts - depth, rhythm (stroke), harmony (color), linkage (relationships)

• Tools and materials

• Color

• Courage, intensity, mystery

Contact: hdoyle@doylepublishing.com or 281-924-1096.

Why I Paint

There is an aspect of my art that I must consider to be at or near its core, despite the irregular intervals in which I practice it. But my first painting, and most of my first year of painting, were dominated by portraiture. From the beginning I was very focused on using my skills to capture the character, or the essence, of the subject.

I was reminded of this as I viewed a new work, "Dutch Friend." The subject is Annette, a traveling houseguest of my friend Marty Hatcher. She came to Houston from Holland to attend a family member's wedding, and I had the good fortune to meet her while painting at Marty's. Annette is an accomplished artist (fashion and jewelry design) and a charming person to share time with.

I do love people... and I love painting them. That was my first love with a paint brush in my hand, and I expect I'll always be true to it. It has thus far been surprisingly, steadily true to me.

"Dutch Friend" - 15"x10" oils on canvas

Red Lantern 5

"Red Lantern 5"

36"x18" acrylics on canvas

Available

Create Revolution

My meditation for this day was about sharing my artistic knowledge and spirit, and in the process, collaborating with a group of people in a room for a brief period of time.

And what are these people to do? What is the fruit?

In the perfect storm, these linked souls will do nothing short of creating revolution.

And in the worst case, we will create beautiful art that is meaningful to each artist. This is the goal of my first bona-fide workshop. Seems like a win-win deal to me... I can't wait to make this a reality.

Pictured: "Create Revolution" 18"x24" acrylics on canvas. Available.