I see abstractions...you?

I rarely talk about the specific meaning or inspiration behind a painting. I have spoken about my creative journey or the purpose behind what moves me to paint but I prefer the work speak to people on their own terms.  I'm just the conduit to their experience with the artwork and whatever emotions it stirs in them. 

​I get often asked to confirm if something they see is indeed part of the abstract.  With very very rare exceptions, it never is. I have done some figurative pieces, painting women and hearts, but for the most part, my abstract landscapes are just that, abstractions.  Instead of looking for objects in an abstract, I look at a grouping of everyday things and see patterns somehow organized in abstract form. I have caught myself observing the world that way since I was a child. Whether I go into Zen dreamscapes mode or get jazzed up looking at street art graffiti walls in Bushwick, I walk away with a vague mode of inspiration that eventually show up in my work. Whether in the energy of the lines, the colors, the white space, or the overall feel of the work, eventually it comes together on a canvas.

I recognize the power of a work of art to prompt emotions - art is an archivist of our common history interpreted through time. Picasso's Guernica comes to mind. One of his most prominent works, it depicts the tragedy of war and it has served as an important argument for peace.  For the most part, my publicly exhibited work seeks to not talk about peace but to depict it and inspire it. Maybe not on the top 10 lists of topics for curators, museum docents or art critics, but it's where my brushes take me and I have learned to embrace it.  It's not necessarily a conscious choice, it's just where I end up.

That said...I find myself fascinated, and admittedly often irritated, (yikes! yes, I'm going here) but the labels the art world wants to impose on art and artists. Curating shows is a very difficult endeavor.  I have curated a few myself and it requires a tremendous amount of time, effort and sensibilities but some of the preconceived notions that come with the job can sometimes pigeonhole an artist into a role or label that is limiting and defeats the whole idea behind the creative process.

I am a woman artist.  I am an American artist.  I am a Latina artist.  I am an Uruguayan artist.  I am an abstract artist...who has also done figurative work. I am a New York artist.  I was at one point heavily exhibiting in the Palm Beach - Miami area so...I'm a southern artist? I paint Zen landscapes and graffiti inspired urban abstractions so... I'm?  I hope that when people look at art, they can look at the artist's bio and the description on the art label after they let the artwork make them ponder for a bit. Sit with the emotion and then let the intellect take over.  
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The one label I give myself is rooted in the notion that I "pollyanishly" - I know that's not a real word but go with me here, intend to have my artwork be uplifting in some way. The importance of how our surroundings can support our wellbeing has more recently been acknowledged and explored further, particularly after the pandemic lockdown. I'm very lucky to have supporters and art collectors take my artwork with them to their work spaces or home to be part of the space where life happens. Whether the inspiration comes from a busy city corner or a peaceful beach spot in the dunes of the Hamptons, being able to create uplifting art and elevate someone's space as well as the viewer is a gift I'm very grateful for and will take that label anytime. 

Speaking of Zen spots – have you ever been to Montauk? A truly beautiful place with lots to see (and eat!) I have an upcoming solo exhibition in Montauk at The Lucore Art Gallery. The exhibit runs from April 27th, 2023 until May 16th.  If you're planning a visit, please send me a message on Instagram @anahidecanio so I can hopefully meet you there.
 
The artist's reception will be on Saturday May 6th from 4 to 7.  Hope you can make it! 
The Lucore Art
87 S. Euclid Avenue, Montauk NY
 To see more of my art, please visit the Portfolio Page. 

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​Castellano
​Yo no veo objetos...tu?
Bueno, no exactamente... Muy rara vez me encontrarán describiendo el significado o inspiración detrás de una de mis pinturas.  Hablo más sobre mi jornada creativa o lo que me mueve a pintar, pero prefiero dejar que las obras hablen por si solas.  Yo solo soy el medio mediante el cual la pintura habla por si misma.
Muy a menudo me piden que confirme si un objeto que encuentran en una pintura abstracta es parte de la obra.  Con muy pocas excepciones, casi nunca es así.  Tengo obras de arte figurativo, pero en la mayor parte mis obras abstractas son exactamente eso, abstracciones.  Desde chica, cuando yo observo artículos de todos los días, veo los objetos en el grupo en una formación abstracta.
Así sea la energía de las paredes grafiti de Brooklyn o un lugar sereno en la playa que me hace sentir más Zen, el resultado final nunca contiene objetos específicos pero la inspiración termina estando representada de alguna forma.
A fines de abril tengo el privilegio de exhibir en Montauk, New York.  Si están en la zona y nunca han estado, se los recomiendo como un lugar genial con playas y hermosas y lugares a visitar como el faro a fines de Long Island y parques con mucha belleza natural. 
La muestra se dará lugar en
The Lucore Art Gallery desde el 27 de abril hasta el 16 de mayo. 
La recepción será el 6 de mayo de 4 a 7 pm. 
​Anahi DeCanio en Instagram AQUI