From Concrete to Abstract

Building at the light table can be a great step for an artist to find inspiration.  One here works in an architectural manner to form various structures.  He starts out using similar colors, so that his piece is not only physically symmetrical, with corresponding pieces fitting into each other, but also visually alike.

A close-up look of the patterns and shadows that appear enables the artist to focus on the here and now of how the translucent pieces and the light affect each other.  This observation is important in his next step of going beyond the concepts of shape and color to determine how his creation might work with other mediums.

After constructing with great focus and finding a pleasing angle from which to view his work, this artist begins to depict the image of the structure with pastels.  This is a great capture of his ability to conceptualize from one form to another.

Creating a further challenge for himself, the artist adds more and more pieces.  Switching back and forth from building to drawing can be a lot of work, but it can also help the creative process to flow more smoothly and easily, as both literal and metaphorical thinking ideas together.

Since the artist was able to shift his thinking, from concrete to abstract, he was also able to shift activities, designing with hard shapes then with soft pastels.  Being able to see things in both ways allows artists to use both sides of the brain to solve problems and create more complex and interesting pieces.