Introduction to Abstract Expressionism - Class Taught by C.T. Rasmuss.

David  C.T. Rasmuss Acrylic/The Jackson Method (Feb 2014).

Introduction to Abstract Expressionism by C.T. Rasmuss

Abstract Expressionism was an art movement which started in the 1940's, post World War II. These artists valued spontaneity and improvisation, and they accorded the highest importance to process. Their radical new direction was responsible for shift the center of the art world's attention from Paris to New York, as the new mecca; they created large scale works representing each artist's individual psyches.

In this class: students will learn to get in touch with their individual 'psyches' as the Masters from the original era of Abstract Expressionism did. It will be structured via: factual art history lessons(short in class) for inspirational purpose and technique demonstrated by the instructor; it also will be loosely based, in order to allow each student the freedom to find their own form of expression!

Suggested supplies for this class: 1^st of all NO EASELS :) In class we will be painting on the table, possibly outside, on the ground when weather clears up. Whenever you're on your own, make yourself comfortable and paint on the floor; this will help tremendously in developing texture, a key ingredient in this fantastic form of art and self-discovery..

...We will be using Acrylics(water based) in this class, don't spend a lot of money on higher grades; as the point is expression, and you'll more than likely be using high volumes per canvas. Canvas, buy canvas at good deals, ask me what will work for class as eventually all students will be doing their own thing, as no two psyches are alike! Finally when it comes to brushes, I will provide the brushes, as classes go one you'll learn about brushes, what they do and the ones you'll eventually want to buy for yourself.

And now a list of definitions for you to look up for your own benefit, as well as Artists to learn:

Composition

Texture

Golden Mean

Color Theory

Abstract art

Modern Art
Surrealism

Action Painting

The New York School

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

MOMA

Guggenheim Museum

Peggy Guggenheim

Artists: Wasilly Kandinsky, Hans Hoffman, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, Lee Krasner, Robert Motherwell, William Baziotes, Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, Adolph Gottlieb, Mark Tobey, Richard Pousette-Dart, and Clyfford Still

                                  “Art is what you make it” -C.T. Rasmuss ENJOY!!!

'Gone with the Wind' by C.T. Rasmuss.

Gone with the Wind; C.T. Rasmuss, oil (2013).                                                

"This one's for you Grams..."

A mix between viewing a Rothko exhibit in Columbus, OH and a particular Matisse at the Cincinnati Art Museum, I present you with this still life.

Beginning with Reds and Raw Umber, I pursued a color field technique, with Rothko in mind; especially when leaving outside borders for colors to be applied later-Green, Med.-Yellow, placed straight to a large brush(unmixed).  Thinning out the remnant left on my brush, I ventured into the top portion, brushing this color out, leaving a 'pure' section for the still life.  It's at this point when I was reminded of the Matisse at CAM (seen many times)....when it clicked I stopped!

                                                'Portrait of Woman' Henri Matisse, oil (CAM)

After starting again, I brushed on Medium Blue til I ran out-leaving a pleasant surprise for latter in the middle border; I then added Prussian Blue to finish top and left outside border.  

Upon finishing the still life, again with the Matisse in mind(w/ a minimalist brush style/pattern) I installed the vase.  Here I created a deep blue base coat, and later added a lighter mixture of it to create highlight/texture, of course with impasto/Van Gogh tech. always in mind..here is where I started with the palette knife after failing with the brush & finishing the work's accents- for the complete and pleasantness that is.

Moral of story...Museums payoff, and I didn't have to even have them in front of me to influence my exploration on canvas...It's only out of respect if anything that we artist pay homage to the masters the best ways we can, and they will reward us beyond comprehension!

Thanks for all the faith Grams, miss ya!!

XOXOXO