Red Road Rash & A Beloved Teal Bike
My beautiful single-speed teal bicycle also took a beating as a result of the crash. One very broken right elbow, one very tangled bicycle and me waiting for surgery.
How hard could it be?
“Heavy on the rt lower corner”, “values are too close together”, “too many same sized shapes”, “need more contrast”, “colors could be more harmonized”, “too busy”, “needs more eye travel” are a few of the phrases uttered under the umbrella of design. They ping-pong in my brain. Some days I wish I could “just paint” like I did in 2019. When I didn’t know a thing about creating strong art, I could splash paint on a canvas, add a few colors and think to myself “oh…looks good”. Set it aside, start another.
Have you heard this saying? You don't know, what you don't know.
As if design principles aren't enough to keep in mind while creating abstract expressive works, I have to manage my own anxiety mixed with copious amounts of glee. As soon as I see the muted teal colors emerge, the painting is "coming together" and I am eager to add more, and more and more. But it bites me in the ass almost every single time. The artwork ends up being overworked and what most of us would identify as a "hot mess". The hot mess I'm talking about is like the hot pocket you microwaved for lunch, but it got overheated and red pizza sauce has now oozed all over the plate. You're hungry, on a limited break but you do NOT want to touch that hot mess.
Sometimes I avoid the hot mess paintings. Other times, they burn me.
To me, abstract art is an open dialogue—one that speaks in color, form, and texture rather than words. It challenges perception, evokes emotion, and leaves space for the viewer’s own interpretation. In my latest works, I explore the contrast between motion & stillness, chaos and structure, inviting you to step into a world where meaning is fluid and ever-changing. It's truly more about the viewer's experiences than what colors of paint I use. I do my best to embrace the basic tenets of design. End of the day, it has to be me speaking to a viewer through that painting. I use tools of all sorts to create. My mind is one of them,
Other tools include a trusty roll of shop towels, the pointy end of a paintbrush, a small window squeegee, an expired credit card and of course my hands. They help me develop layers of history which results in depth & interest.
Creating a strong abstract expressive painting, as in life, has a depth of history and is sometimes unpredictable.
Do you laugh, thinking about how I once mocked abstract art only to be pressed into it being my only option to create after reconstructive surgery? It's okay if you do. I still chuckle about it.
Today, I love creating abstract expressive paintings.
I am always happy to answer burning questions. Please reach out to me if you have questions that are a “hot mess” to you but likely a welcome diversion for me.
For a limited time, the Pocket-sized artworks are listed at only $25 (free US shipping).
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Robyn Danks - www.DanksyArt.com - Wichita Kansas
