You Have Got to Be Kidding...

Do you think this painting is abstract art or done by a child? If you think it's child's play, you're correct. This was done by my 2-year-old stepson... If you weren't sure, you need to keep your eyes open!

As someone who introduces herself as an abstract artist, I like to think that the weird looks I get are just because that person hasn't seen exactly what it is that I do. However, it is coming to my attention more and more that there are many people who can introduce themselves as "abstract artists" just for slapping some colors of paint on something, anything really, and then charging people out the wahoo for it because it's "abstract art." This really gives the rest of us a bad reputation from the second we introduce ourselves. How do I explain to someone in the same breath that I'm not "THAT" kind of abstract artist? That I actually kind of know what I'm doing. That I plan out what I'm going to do before I go forward. That the colors I choose are for a reason. All of my shapes and figures have a purpose. I don't do drugs and I actually have a personality. It's very difficult to explain this to someone who only knows the sham that other people have called abstract art.

I was looking around the other day at what some people had posted as abstract art for sale and was taken aback by what I saw. They were charging people hundreds to thousands of dollars for what would take an every-day person about 10 minutes to make. I felt instantly bad for the poor person who would eventually purchase the "piece" and appalled that someone was actually willing to charge for something so poorly done. Then, I felt personally offended by the situation because I'm actually spending time and effort on what I do and actually not always happy with the way that things turn out. But hey, if I just pretended to paint like a 2-year-old, I could be making thousands of dollars?! I'm totally confused at this. I refuse to stoop to such a level as that, but it is a very frustrating situation.

Please do not misunderstand me, I am well-aware that I am nothing close to a master painter, but I also do not publicize myself as anything close to that, either. I envy many artists for their talents and techniques. When I see their work, I am in a state of wonderful amazement and feel motivated to practice and try new techniques. These are not the people that I am speaking of. Their work takes time, effort and planning which shows in the end product. It is because of my great respect for them and art, itself, that I am angered by the ones who have not even an "abstract" idea of what abstract art is!