A Few more Abstract Paintings from the Archive

Abstract and surrealism art styles emerged in the early parts of the 20^th century as a result of intense competition from lithography and photography. Prior to that time, painters had a virtual monopoly on the colourized art market with the exception of wood blocks, etchings and engravings which were done since ancient times. If a person wanted to buy a colour landscape or portrait, a painter was the best and basically only way to have it done. As print media, and eventually, screen media, took over, it coincided with the rise of abstract and surrealism.

Day Night Rusty Pipes, watercolour 12 x 16" hot press, 2010 (No. 1779b)

Two painters lead the charge, Picasso for abstract and Dali for surrealism. Of course, there were many other contemporaries at the time, and many who would follow in their footsteps. By creating abstract or surrealism art, the painters had regained their monopoly on imagery. A photographer would not likely be able to produce a painting or drawing like Picasso or Dali could through human creativity. Picasso ended up becoming the most prolific artist of all time (according to Guiness Records), he painted over 13,500 works, and designed 135,000 prints and engraving, not to mention 300 sculptures and ceramics in his lifetime.

Ominous Sky Warning, watercolour 2006 12 x 16", 2010 (No. 1880b)