Week 9: Abstractions with Oil Pastel

Visiting artist and educator Mike Bochner shared his insights about working abstractly and the common misperception that abstract art is “easy”. Mike questioned the students about what they believe is more difficult: abstraction or representation. A discussion followed about artist preference, skill, detail, commitment, etc. We concluded that many factors are at play for either approach and that it is possible for abstraction and representation to be both easy or difficult depending upon the artist and approach. Mike also shared several of his abstract paintings and drawings: they are bold, colorful and energized, yet anchored by a dominant hue to provide focus. His abstractions were an excellent source of inspiration for the students and they were eager to create their own abstracted drawings with oil pastel. Students were encouraged to fill the paper with shapes, lines, and forms; to blend areas of color; to consider how colors may affect each other when placed side by side; and to have fun! Not only did students' have fun, they also created some fabulous abstract drawings, that are now on exhibition at Oak Park Public Library, Children's Department, throughout the month of November. Congratulations to the artists and a big thank you to Mike for his contributions to Beye Discovery!!!

Mike's abstract painting, untitled

Mike's abstract painting, untitled

Mike discussing abstraction