Abstract Painting in Progress

Oil paint on 8 by 10 inch panel
Title:  Capitalism is not a dirty word.
This is a shot of a work in progress.

This painting is inspired by reading the book "The Wealth of Nations"  by Adam Smith.   Not my normal reading; but, it should have been read earlier.

I am still working my way through the book.

It's not easy to read, at least for me.

The thing that struck me is the emphasis on describing the relationship that is created when goods and services are exchanged.  Relationships that have been observed in action.  People were exchanging things for coin long before the book was written. 

Relationships are rarely equal.  

Someone always has more or controls the means to produce more.  That difference makes this system work, balancing of needs.  

Of course, this is what is going through my head while I am painting.  The painting is as abstract as the concepts I am contemplating.

Reading "Wealth of Nations"

This book, and I am just focusing on this book, implies that the relationship between two producers of goods is the most important aspect of Capitalism.  No one walks away empty handed.

This is between two individuals with an implied interest in each other's well being.   

There is a potential for an exploration in painting mediums here.  Relationships between figure/ground, textures, shapes, colors, etc..............I will have to work it out.

And, I don't really want to argue - that's for all the so called progressives out there - mainly because such things tend to run in circles.  It's fairly obvious to me that Socialist and Marxist theories follow the same Capitalist principles out lined in The Wealth of Nations. 

I don't like politics.  It seems to be a necessary evil if more than three people have get along; but, in general, politics seem to generate as many problems as it solves.

Cynical?  Yes.   But, I have not had many experiences that suggest anything else is possible.

Sketchbook study
Pencil on paper
Example of relationships in drawing.

Blues series

Abstract Oil Study on 8 by 10 inch canvas
Chaotic Peace

Some visual artists try to reach into the human psyche with out the use of symbols or recognizable images.  Line, Color, and Hue play a larger role in this type of art.

It's difficult to put into words, what I am trying to do here.

Blue is supposed to be calming; but, the chaotic nature of my vision comes through in this study.  Also, people tend to perceive images in chaotic patterns, even if no one else sees them.  Sort of like a Rocher test, that outdated psychology exercise using ink blots and interpretation of patients responses.  I'm sure it was more complicated than that.

This is a small canvas, traditionally artists in this vein have used enormous "canvases" in order to envelope the viewer in an experience.  I am limited by physical space at this time to smaller canvases.

So, I wonder:  Do the smaller canvases invite the viewer to move closer and contemplate the chaos?   I would like to think so.