"Abstract Paintings: A Presentation of Visual Essence" by Kimble A. Bromley
 

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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Bromley, Kimble A--Exhibitions; Slides (Photography); Exhibition catalogs; Photographs; Academic theses;

Abstract

My thesis has consisted of searching out the visual essence of the representational world and presenting it in abstract paintings. When I began my thesis, I had been painting in a representational mode and found that I was drawn to certain components of interior and exterior environments that excited me: geometrical structure, space, color, light, and mood. My work became more abstract because I made a decision to leave out extraneous detail and focused in on these important visual elements. I felt that painting this way freed me to concentrate on and communicate to the viewer, what was most important to me in the visual world. And at the same time, it allowed me to present, in my own personal style, an image that was pure and free from blatant visual associations (such as painting an interior as a room with four walls and windows, or an exterior as a specific place or building). Just as life isn't calculated, neither are my paintings. Although a certain geometry is present in my work, it isn't a cold calculated mathematical geometry, but rather one that serves as a loose structural foundation involving human variability. Starting with a white sheet of paper or a primed canvas, I spontaneously, yet purposefully, begin by drawing lines of differing character with ink, charcoal, and/or pastel. This established basis serves as the stabilizing component in defining space and in giving guidance to shape and form. By directing the character of and the relationships between the interrelated marks, I influence the mood th~t the final painting emits. At this point in the painting process, I begin to respond to what is happening to the white surface and ideas concerning possible directions begin to flow. These ideas are carried through in color (including black and white) with one or more of a variety of mediums: pastel, oil, acrylic, ink, charcoal, and gesso. Color can be the determining factor as to how much light is in a work, whether forms are solid or transparent, what type of atmosphere is present, the type of mood that is elicited, whether the work includes or excludes the viewer, and what type of emotional and psychological associations are made. For example, in ... and the universe was at my window ... , the greens and blues breathe a tranquil or meditative air. No Soliciting, with its orange, black, red, ochre, and blue, has a demanding, immediate presence. The final works of my Graduate thesis present the visual essence that is of utmost importance to me, that character of my surroundings which encompasses all of life.

The exhibition of the studio-thesis, entitled Abstract Paintings: A Presentation of Visual Essence, was held in the Gallery of Art of the Communication Arts Center, University of Northern Iowa, from April 17-April 29, 1983.

Year of Submission

1983

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Art

First Advisor

Felipe Echeverria

Second Advisor

Jo Siddens

Third Advisor

Kenneth Lash

Comments

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Date Original

1983

Object Description

1 PDF file (9 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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