Impressionist Expressions of Abstract Realism

Summer Stream (Yosemite) ©2005 Karen Mathison Schmidt
9 x 12 • acrylic on board
private collection • Kingman, Arizona

I was recently invited by Kimberly Conrad to join Daily Painters Abstract Gallery. Thanks, Kimberly!

Even though my work is representational, Kimberly says they are trying to show a variety of different art styles there, and I’m very honored to be included. Anyway, I think impressionist and expressionist painting involves elements of the abstract. I’ve heard it said of John Singer Sargent’s paintings that at 12 inches they’re impressionism, at 12 feet they’re realism.

Dare I take that a step further and say at 1/4 inch they’re abstract? Yes! (This is strictly my own personal thinking and has absolutely no basis in scientific research, public opinion poll or established art philosophy of any kind. It’s just me.)

Anyhoo.

The painting I’ve shown above is one from a few years back. 2005 to be exact. As you can see, that was before I changed my signature to include my newly married name. (I spent a long time on that decision, but I decided to change my signature to honor my husband, and I’m glad I did. It’s not like I was a worldwide famous artist or anything. Yet!) Also, this painting is from a period when I had banished black from my palette. But that’s a subject for a whole ’nother post.

I am working on a new larger painting which I’ll post progress on tomorrow, but right now I’m headed up to the hospital where my hubby is fighting a staph infection and facing surgery to remove it. We’re thanking God this morning that it looks like the surgery is not going to be as extensive as the surgeon had at first thought it might have to be. It’s all very complicated because of his diabetes and his weight. Right now Paul (I love this picture) is just hanging out watching tv with an IV of antibiotics pumping into his arm. I brought him his guitar last night, but I forgot the picks, so I’m taking those with me today ... then we can be hanging out watching tv with him playing the guitar while an IV pumps antibiotics into his arm, while we wait to find out when the surgery will be. Maybe I’ll take the Deluxe Scrabble Game up there, too.

Anyhoo.

All this just to let you know that posting may be sporadic for a few days.

Meanwhile, check out the daily painters at the Daily Painters Abstract Gallery. There’s some really cool stuff there.


One Hip Cat ©2006 Karen Mathison Schmidt
16x20 • oil on board • not for sale!

The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:5-8