The word Nefelibata has drawn my attention recently. The word originates in Portugese, derived from ‘nephele’ (cloud) and ‘batha’ (a place to walk.) It refers to one who lives in their own imagination or dreams, or one who does not abide by the precepts of society, literature or art; an unconventional, unorthodox person.
One of the things I often repeat in my workshops is that I’m ‘not encumbered by reality.’ I am inspired by reality, but I don’t feel obligated to try to reproduce it. In fact, when I come too close to reality in my artwork, I’m often unsatisfied. I feel that the interpretation of that reality is more interesting than accuracy. I’m drawn to work that ‘riffs’ on reality. It is the individual’s response to reality that I find interesting in art, writing and music.
In looking for a painting to embody this concept, I chose one that recently returned from the Portland Art Museum’s Rental Sales Gallery. I found I’d never posted it on my site before! I often send pieces out into the world before I have a chance to promote them… and this piece is one of those. I’ve always loved the activity and detail of this piece. The texture and line work are so evocative of memories of ‘major’ (in my memory) thunderstorms.
Summer Storm, ©Ruth Armitage, Watercolor on Paper, 22″x30″ $1950
Thinking about Meaning in Art
This spring I was privileged to receive a critique of my work from an artist I respect. The artist giving the critique works in a realistic manner. One word they used to describe my abstract work was ‘facile.’ This has been bothering me for a while now… and I think I’m almost over it.
One reason it bothered me, is that I don’t find abstraction easy to do. Not at all! I think abstraction is more difficult than realism. I also feel that these particular paintings embody (for me) more personal meaning than many of my more realistic paintings.
Another reason this comment disturbed me might be more subconscious. With abstraction, I feel that I’ve found a way of working that feels natural. Not easy, mind you, but natural – suited to my skills, my aesthetics and my content. Maybe this is why the critiquing artist thought the work looks ‘facile.’
The definition of facile:
One of the misconceptions of “making “ abstract art is the notion one doesn’t need to understand how to draw to “create it”. The foundations for any 2-D art (3-D too!) is a familiarity of and being comfortable with, the act of drawing.. I am reminded of the Richard Diebenkorn exhibit right now at PAM. A wonderful example of the evolution of a person’s exploration of art, from pencil studies, to figure drawing, and then finding what is beyond representational mark making on a page. His quote up on a wall at PAM speaks about successful painting …”it must have something of ourselves and our experience in it.” He says he “likes a sense of search in a painting…”
So Ruth, I can’t speak to your work as being facile or not, …what a word to describe painting (?) but I do see a deft hand in intention, exploration and provoking as you invite the viewer to “search” through it. And I do know you have come from a language of representational marks on a page..and then lept into the language of abstract art. Keep on keeping on…maybe I’m trying to say one doesn’t get here by not knowing how to draw.
Thanks Robin… It’s often hard to know what people see in my work, unless they comment! I appreciate your words.
I just have to laugh and scratch my head. I have been watching your work for some years now and have witnessed such growth and sophistication that all I can say is you make beautiful look easy. And you know how critical and picky I am. It takes real talent to communicate in abstraction and I agree that it is not easy. That comment is right up there with “my 4 year old could do that” lol But then again ,what do I know.
Thank you, Paula. I still respect this artist. They gave me lots of food for thought!