| lovers of Abstract Art are very familiar with Abstract | | | | to the work of Kandinsky, and indeed, Abstract |
| Expressionism, especially American Abstract | | | | Impressionist canvas art do have a very lyrical quality. |
| Expressionism. There is another Art style, which could | | | | However, the work of Kandinsky was spontaneous |
| be confused with this movement, and that is Abstract | | | | and spiritual. If the work of Kandinsky was to reflect a |
| Impressionism. On the surface of things, an Abstract | | | | single note, in comparison, Abstract Impressionism, |
| Expressionist Oil Painting could be compared with | | | | would reflect a melody. How else could this be |
| Abstract Impressionism. However, there are very | | | | described? It�s in the visual sense. |
| definite differences, although it would be fair to say, | | | | Imagine looking inside yourself, right now. What would |
| one was born from the other and both were born | | | | you see? Would it be a whoosh of tumbling energy? |
| from Abstract Art. | | | | Like water draining from a bath? Or, would you see a |
| Abstract Impressionism, like Abstract Expressionism, is | | | | steady, flowing tide? This is a spatial visualization of |
| usually worked on a large Canvas. With Abstract | | | | energy, a metaphor, and this is where an Abstract |
| Impressionism, the Artist implements small brush | | | | Impressionist Artist begins. However, the point is not to |
| strokes, reflecting and analyzing space, over time. The | | | | depict that metaphor in a literal sense. Abstract |
| Artist is making an Impression of the inner energy, and | | | | Impressionism attempts to give an Impression, of the |
| emotion, which governs and reflects that Artists 'inner | | | | inner energy that reflects this. From this starting point, |
| space'. Therefore, the main emphasis is upon internal, | | | | the Artist moves on. Analyzing, and expressing visually, |
| personal space, not, as with Abstract Expressionism, | | | | the movement of that energy. This is why the passing |
| an emotional response to an external world. It is this, | | | | of time is such an important element within Abstract |
| which adds the contemplative quality to Abstract | | | | Impressionism. |
| Impressionist Oil Paintings. | | | | Abstract Impressionism reached its peak during the |
| The brush strokes of Abstract Impressionism reflect | | | | fifties, in America. The onus was very much upon the |
| the early work of the Impressionists and Post | | | | approach to the work. Not so much upon the method, |
| Impressionists, such as Monet, Vincent Van Gogh and | | | | or even the outcome. It was Elaine De Kooning, wife |
| Seurat. However, within Abstract Impressionism the | | | | of Willem De Kooning, who first used the term, |
| strokes are shorter. More controlled than the often | | | | Abstract Impressionism. Elaine de Kooning was a |
| flurried application of paint, which can be seen so | | | | respected Artist in her own right, although somewhat |
| obviously, in many of the Abstract Expressionist | | | | overshadowed by the huge success of her husband. |
| Paintings produced. | | | | Elaine De Kooning was a critic for ART news, and |
| The 'Action Painting', of Jackson Pollock, a well noted | | | | became especially respected, and recognized, within |
| Abstract Expressionist Artist, was fast and furious. | | | | that field. Once she coined this new term, it was not |
| Despite the fact Abstract Expressionism had a | | | | long before it was adopted by other Art critics, and |
| purposeful approach; it was a very different approach | | | | Artists alike. |
| to Abstract Impressionism. Unlike Abstract | | | | One of those critics was Lawrence Alloway, who, at |
| Expressionism, Abstract Impressionism uses the | | | | the time, was a leading member of the English |
| concept of 'time'. It is one of the most important | | | | 'Independent group'. In 1958 Alloway held an exhibition |
| elements, within the concept. Time becomes an | | | | for British and American Painters. He was a highly |
| integral part of the Oil Painting. Within the space of the | | | | respected critic and curator in the UK. However, in 1961 |
| canvas, the artist attempts to depict an analysis of his | | | | Alloway moved to the United States, with his wife. |
| or her own inner energy, and how it invariably shifts | | | | Here, he became an extremely influential writer, and |
| and changes, within the passage of time. Logging | | | | curator. Alloway was the curator for the famous, 1966, |
| points, like mile stones along the road. This is a slow | | | | exhibition, 'Systematic Painting', an exhibition that proved |
| and purposeful analysis of inner energy, depicted at | | | | to be another important stepping stone, for the world |
| different stages, using the concepts of time and space. | | | | of American Contemporary Art. |
| In a way, Abstract Impressionism could be compared | | | | |