The viewer

The Path by JW Harrington

I’ve enjoyed the feedback I’ve gotten on The Path. It’s meant to be somewhat enigmatic — in the placement and intent of the “narrator” (who’s on the path? are they on it or above it?); in the nature of the black void on the right; and the ultimate destination of this solitary path. A fellow artist said she sees the texture within the path itself as a reflection — or maybe even an on-the-ground manifestation — of the stars in the sky above. I love that.

Abstraction by JW Harrington

As a viewer, abstraction appeals to me because of the authority it gives me to determine what I’m seeing and what it brings to mind and heart.  Abstract expressionism can be defined in many ways, but most simply, “abstract” visual art doesn’t represent any single set of physical objects, and “expressionist” painting uses color, form, texture, and their juxtaposition (composition) to evoke conscious or not-quite-conscious feelings in the viewer.  The work is what it is – not a mountain, vase, or person – but for me, it can be at least as powerful as painted images of such objects.