gmhTODAY 07 gmhToday Mar Apr 2016 | Page 62

ARTFULLY yours BY DAN CRAIG S outh Valley locals and visitors may know the region is rich in agriculture, wineries, restaurants and recreational offerings, what some may not know is that it’s also rich in the arts. This article will shed some light on abstract art, an elusive, often misunderstood genre of visual arts. Abstract art is a contemporary art form evolving from the modern art movement that began with the Impressionists in the later 19th century. Artists such as Monet, Renoir and Pissarro aimed to capture the momentary, sen- sory effect of a scene – the impression objects made on the eye in a fleeting instant. The Expressionists of the early 1900s expanded on Impressionism and began creating an abstract style of art. The abstract movement, though international in scope, is generally thought to have officially begun in the 1940s in New York City after World War II. It is described as art that does not endeavor to characterize an external reality, but uses shapes, forms, colors and textures to achieve its effect. The result is a composition that bears no resemblance to visual references in the world. Artwork that alters color and form in ways that are obvious may be said to be partially abstract, but total abstraction bears no resemblance to anything recognizable. Valle del Sur Art Guild, Morgan Hill Art Gallery and Gilroy Arts Alliance showcase abstract artists as members and are a good des- tinations to explore for an array of art genres, including abstract art. ABOVE: Laurie Barmore in her studio with oil painting, “That We Might Meet.” RIGHT: Gary Coleman’s paint- ing, “Stravinsky” at the Odeum restaurant in Morgan Hill. FAR RIGHT: Gary Coleman in his studio with oil painting “Force vs. Stability.” Photos By Dan Craig 62 GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MARCH/APRIL 2016 gmhtoday.com