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Mindfulness is an awareness of your fully in the moment thoughts, feelings and sensations.

It brings to the surface what you are experiencing while you are fully in the present. 

What are you immediately experiencing as you look at this painting? What are you noticing first? How it makes you feel or the shapes, color and texture?

(You can click on the name of each painting in RED underneath each photo to go to its page on the website.)

Do They All Lead to the Same Place ~ 24” X 20” ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

A minute or 2 is all it takes to observe your reactions to an abstract painting as you are using mindfulness.

So as you come to each painting below, be mindful of you initial reaction to it. 

Embrace Our Diversity ~ 30” X 24” X 1.5” ~ Acrylic on Canvas

You need to question how the abstract painting is making you feel, your immediate reactions to it.

Happy, calm, anxious, sad, or stirs an event or memory.

Every person will have their own personal reaction on what the art says to them depending on their life experiences.

Global Consequences ~ 36” X 36” x 1.5” ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

That repeated experience in viewing that same modern abstract artwork is good for your health because practicing mindfulness benefits you in many positive ways.

When an artwork speaks to you and you return to it in your mind repeatedly, that Art needs to be in your life.

You will get that same experience every time you are in its presence.

Taking Flight1 ~ 6” X 6” X 1.5” ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas (part of a 2 painting series)

These can be the benefits to your health of owning art that speaks to you:

• lower your blood pressure
• help you with sleep problems
• improves focus and concentration
• can lessen depression, anxiety and pain levels.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to surround yourself with art that has health benefits for you rather spend much more money on medicine and huge medical bills?

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2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.

Not all art is created equally! Yes another Equality Issue to solve…

If you are confused about what to look for and what to ask when looking for that modern abstract art painting with mixed media or collage added to it, here is a quick primer for you.

1.  First, preparing the canvas…

Canvas needs to be prepared with 3-4 coats of Gesso before applying anything else on the canvas or most papers. Gesso acts as a binder for the paint, whether acrylic or oil and anything else you affix to the canvas. Even when I buy commercial canvases that touts been gessoed I still put several coats of my own gesso on as well. Manufacturing cannot always be trusted so I add more. And most don’t tell you how much they have added.

This is a canvas that I added 2 coats of black Gesso and then another coat of black liquitex paint. You cannot use Gesso as your layer of paint, no matter whether you use white, black or gray Gesso. It is not meant to take the place of paint for your canvas.

So this might be one question that you ask the artist or gallerist to ask the artist. It is important. It is amazing how many artists don’t do this.

2.  Quality paint and mediums are also important.

I shudder every time I hear an artist or art instructor tell students to use paint from Lowe’s or Home Depot that is meant for painting your walls or exterior home that is not formulated to last over centuries. And to use varnish that is not made for art as well.

There are many quality art paint companies that make the paint that artists should use for their artworks. I use Liquitex and Winsor Newton acrylic paints and mediums. I can’t in good conscious sell an artwork that hasn’t been created with quality products. 

The price of a painting might give you a clue on the shortcuts someone has taken when creating a painting. You get what you pay for. But ask what brand of paint the artist uses.

Here is a painting that I created 35 years ago that I have kept for myself. It is still in as good of condition as the day it was painted!

Women in Art, Where Are They?   44” x 37”  ~ Acrylic on Canvas

3. Mediums and affixatives will only last so long if they are not meant for fine art.

There are too many creators who do not ask the important questions before working on an artwork.

Collage is used so much today to affix a few items or many pieces to a creation. Mediums should be used to affix them to the canvas otherwise they will dry out and fall off. You can’t just use the average glues that are meant for short time spans. You can use the paint itself as an affixative.

And all collage items need to be ended with another coat of medium once the layer is dry to seal it to the canvas.

4. The final step is the sealer.

And not just any varnish but those that are meant for archival purposes and for canvas or paper fine art. I use a spray and many thin coats. I like a matte finish because glossy surfaces IMO cause too much glare depending where you hang an artwork.

The 4 items I listed are the questions you can ask and sound like a more experienced buyer. But more importantly it lets you know exactly what you are buying and if it will stand the test of time on your wall as a fine artwork should if prepared properly.

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2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.

In my last post, Turn that Horizontal Modern Abstract Art Painting Vertically for a New Look, I mentioned at the end that I would show you the opposite in this post. Turning vertical Art horizontally.

But you can only do this with non-representation, abstract art. And not all abstract paintings.

But try it and see if it works with your art.

Love playing around with the direction of a series of abstract art paintings.

(Clicking the red link of the name of the painting will take you to that painting on my website.)

Before: These 2 paintings, Connections on the left and Nucleii 2 on the right, are hung here the way I created them.

After: And in this shot they are hung horizontally. Each one is 24”W X 30” L hung vertically.

Nucleii2 is on the top and Connections is on the bottom.

After: Now each can be hung by themselves and work also. And hung each way with the blue section on the top or turned around with the blue on the bottom. Below is Connections by itself.

Let me show you a second series used horizontally instead of it’s intended direction.

Before: Here they are how they were created to hang, vertically. Going Places is on the left, Going from Place to Place on the right. They are both 20” L X 16” W when vertical.

After: And here they are hung in various ways. Going Places is the one with the big splotch of yellow, Going from Place to Place is the other one.

You don’t have to use all the paintings in a series however, you can use just one alone also.

I would really love to have your input. Do you like this idea? And have you tried it on your own Art?

Let me know your feelings about this. Everyone is different so it might not be something you like.

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Yes…you can turn your contemporary abstract paintings in a different direction and have a new look to your room.

Just because the artist created the painting as a horizontal doesn’t mean that you can’t like it better as a vertical for your space.

This won’t work for all abstract paintings but I have found that it works for many of mine

Some examples of before and after will stimulate your curiosity to see if some of your contemporary abstracts will work the same for you. And if you have discovered that you actually like it better.

Before: This is Up, Down and All Around hung the way I created it, horizontally. (acrylic/mixed media on canvas)

After: And here is Up, Down and All Around hung vertically. WOW…fantastic.

Now you have a painting that is 36”L X 24”W! 
And all you had to do was change the position of the wire on the back.

Let’s take another one.  This acrylic/mixed media on canvas painting, Separate From the Rest, was created horizontally.

Before: Separate From the Rest horizontally measures 24” L X 36” W like the previous one above.

After: Notice how the orange, curved line leads your eye to the hanging lamp…cool.

Another WOW…because this looks great, right?

And I forgot to mention that you can try Separate From the Rest both ways vertically…

Which way do you like it hung best? I like them all so I am going to give each one a try for awhile.

Come on, give it a try. Email me your results because I would love to know how it worked for you.

Look for the next post because I am going to be hanging Art that was created vertically, horizontally. It works both ways and I will show you.

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• FREE tips about designing/arranging art in any room,
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2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.

Hands are an amazing describer of a person. You can tell a lot about how a person is feeling by their hand movements.

How they accessorize their hands and wrists shows a flair for color, design and creativity.

Tattoos are a very popular way today that people are branding their personality on themselves for others to see.

(You can view each painting larger or shop for it on my website by clicking the name(s) below each painting)

Mismatched Hands  •  40" X 30" •  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Some people count using their fingers or use their hands for measuring or checking the time constantly.

When they are checking the time they are telling you to hurry because they are busy!

Counting Hand  •  24" X 30"  •  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Some people multitask with their hands. Especially when playing games that require movement. Or balancing many items at one time.
Have you ever played jacks and not seen what the other person is doing because they are so fast with their hands?

Multitasking Hands  •  24" X 30"  •  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

And when we practice diversity, we embrace people with hands that are different colors, shapes, sizes, genders, and on and on.

It doesn't matter what they look like, because we are accepting of everyone.

       
Left to Right:  Directional Hand 2  •  Directional Hand 1

Both are 24" X 18" and Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

But the most important action that hands show is love, friendship and acceptance.

The X's and O's stand for hugs and kisses in this painting. Do you try to show acceptance?

Compassionate Hand  •  24" X 30"  •  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

I have many more hands on my website for you to view. You can shop there for the hand that most resembles your personality.

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I doubt that many artists or galleries have mentioned this tip to you.

Just because the modern abstract artwork is displayed in a certain direction by the artist or gallery, doesn’t mean that once you own it you can’t hang it differently according to your own preference and space availability.

I have been fooling around some with my non-representational (no apparent subject) paintings and turning some every which way. Let me show you my amazing discovery…

(Viewing tip: you can click on the colored link to view each artwork on my website.)

This abstract painting, Up, Down and All Around, was created horizontally and is 24” L x 36”w on canvas.

Now see Up, Down and All Around as it looks like hung vertically (on the left counter clockwise and on the right clockwise). Amazing, right? Do you like either transition?

Let’s look at another example. This time the abstract painting was created as a vertical and we will try it as a horizontal.

This painting, Connections, is 30”L x 24”W on canvas and is hanging the way it was created to hang.

Looks good how it is placed. But let’s try Connections hung horizontally and see what we think.

I am trying to decide which way I like it best. But I have to tell you I like it both ways.

And the conclusion from this little experiment was that it is possible for abstracted paintings to look fine hung in different directions. I have to admit, I went a little crazy and tried others. I will share them in more posts to come.

Not every artwork will look good but with the proper balance of the colors or design it could take on a totally different look. And give you a whole different view of your cherished art.

What do you think? Will you try this with your modern abstract art? All it takes is adjusting the wire on the back of the Art.

FREE Advice: I will be happy to show you how any of my paintings that you are interested in look hung in the opposite direction.

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You only need to see colorful abstract art on a wall or leaning against a wall to understand what your room is missing. It only takes a look to notice your room could use some art on your wall to create a stimulating design.

In the living room with very neutral colors for your sofa, chairs and accessories, a modern art painting gives the room a pop.

Left to Right: Finding the Way  ~  The Sailing Spirit

Each 30” x 24” x 1.5”  ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Your bathroom becomes a more calming and cheerful space for you and any visitors when everyone has colorful, creative art on the walls as part of your office or home decor. It is really that simple.

Paintings from Left to Right: Over the Hill-Left Side  ~  Over the Hill-Right Side

Each 24” x 20” x 1.5”  ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

In the bedroom it is very important to create a space that lifts your spirits and invigorates you in the morning when you wake up or at night after a long day of work and home events.

Paintings from Left to Right:  Tipping Point 2  ~  Structure C  ~  Structure B

Larger Painting= 24” x 24” x 1.5”  ~  2 Smaller Paintings = 12” x 12” X 1.5”

And what about the kitchen? For many it is the meeting place for family and friends upon arrival in the home. And many offices have a kitchen where employees eat lunch or take a break for coffee. Make it a more inviting and relaxing place.

Paintings from Top to Bottom: Each 12” x 12” x 1.5”  ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Symbolic Landscape 1  ~  Symbolic Landscape 2  ~  Symbolic Landscape 4  ~  Symbolic Landscape 3

Contact me for any FREE advice on designing your walls with my abstract art.   SHOP Art

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2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.