Abstract Art in a Frightening World

"Fire in the Belly" Diptych Acrylic on Canvas-- Earth Changes

"The more frightening the world becomes ... the more art becomes abstract." Wassily Kandinsky

"Soleil" Mixed Media and Acrylic on Canvas----The Sun's Power

This statement is so true for me at the moment. After painting goddesses, spirit paintings, white-lined paintings, flowers and other themes, I find myself wanting to explore the realm of abstract painting.

The world out there is quite a “frightening” place at the moment. We are experiencing massive changes globally, in our country and personally, on all levels.

As an artist, the best way for me is to explore the depths is through my feelings.

As Wassily Kandinsky, the father of abstract painting said “Abstract art places a new world, which on the surface has nothing to do with 'reality,' next to the 'real' world.

"Letters to God" Mixed Media and Acrylic on Canvas----........

Abstract painting is an area that I have not visited for a number of years. It is not a cop out as many people believe. How often have your heard “oh my kid can do that”? Oh man, if they only knew what they are saying!!!!! It is really exploring the depth of the subconscious.

It is extremely difficult to paint abstracts. It’s about feelings and emotions. It requires you to change the way you look at the world.

You are transported into another time and space.

You stop seeing the big picture and look for details. Focus is on the shapes, the patterns, textures and colours around you.

Then you stop seeing the details, stand back and again see the big picture.

Embarking on an “abstract” journey, (because it is a journey), requires one to have the willingness to be spontaneous, to surrender, take risks, explore and experiment.

Allow yourself to do a shamanic dance with the elements

(lines, shapes, colours, textures etc).Listen to soulful music too. It allows you to access your deep subconscious expressing the creative force within. Internal energy within you is given an outlet. And when all is said and done, the work has reached resolve, you the artist feels complete , you then allow “ the viewer (to) stroll around within the picture, to force him to forget himself and to become part of the picture” as the master Kandinsky said

Art Quotations by Wassily Kandinsky. Famous abstract artist and theorist from Russia. Kandinsky is often referred to as the father of abstract art (abstraction)

There is no must in art because art is free. (Wassily Kandinsky)

I really believe that I am the first and only artist to throw not just the 'subject' out of my paintings, but every 'object' as well. (Wassily Kandinsky)

Every work of art is the child of its time; each period produces an art of its own, which cannot be repeated. (Wassily Kandinsky)

+ Abstract art places a new world, which on the surface has nothing to do with 'reality,' next to the 'real' world.

Kandinsky Kandinsky
One of my Favourite Masters of Modern Art.

What’s hanging on my walls ….

What’s hanging on my walls ….
I suppose people often wonder what hangs on an artists walls.

Have a little peek into my private space.

All my adult life I have been fascinated with buildings. Houses and homes in particular. I have been interested in tribal arts and crafts as well. I like to "BUY HANDMADE"it is important to me because "owning something handmade is like holding a little piece of heaven right in your hand. "

The essence of the artist remains in the piece forever!

I am interested in houses, styles, tribal and handmade crafts and decor from all over the world. I have travelled to many countries and along the way collected a little something from them all.

Bedouin embroidered mirrors.

I also hang sentimental pieces of art and collectables on my wall.

Below is a painting done by my youngest daughter.

"All the world's a stage" By Lexi Biccard
I have a gypsy spirit and have moved many times in my adult life. I have lived in 17 houses since I was a student (ALOT) and I don’t think I’m THAT old.. When the nomad in me stops for a while, a home is purchased and the redecorating and fixing starts.

Its fun and I absolutely love it.

To change spaces into happy places is my best.

I love houses and buildings.

We have been in our house for four and a half years now and a lot has been done to a very sad, lonely and neglected house. But I can waffle on and on about my life story but in actual fact all I really wanted to do is let you have a peek into our home…

Pop in for tea if you’re ever in the area.

Not possible? Send me a mail and chat instead.

So lets look at whats hanging on my walls......

A flower garden made from recycled metal from trashed cars. Whats hanging on my wall? Lizards from Bali. Intricately painted. Chimenea from Mexico. (not hanging on my wall)In amoungst the trellis work are lizards made from recycled soda cans.
I love mosaic work .This is outside my Kitchen, I still have to complete to whole walkway but its back breaking work. Inspiration -Gaudi's mosaics in Barcelona. Breathtakingly beautiful.

This too does not hang on my wall!!!!
I have recently changed the colour of my lounge and I think it looks fabulous…A sea moss green .. The painting above the coach is a "family portrait." I painted it shortly after moving into our house. Richard and I are in it, our children are in it , the dogs, flowers , plants, the sun , the moon, feathers , a chameleon, a bottle of wine, a tea pot and cups, colourful cloth that I love to collect.
Red accent wall. With a beaten copper fireplace(50's). (hanging on the wall ???yep)
As you can see handwoven fabric is my best. ( not hanging on the wall though)
I do however have a small handwoven rug in the entrance hall that I bought in New Mexico.
Whats hanging on my wall in the Kitchen.... well utensils.

and
More Mosaic.



Of course my paintings are all over the house. This one is called "String Quartet"

I have converted my lounge into a gallery where I showcase my art.

This is a messed up family gallery..Not on the wall ...on the fridge... photies of us..

The entrance hall has a collection of paintings and nicknacks we have collected over the years.

In the passage hangs Bronwyn's painting ( she's my first born)
Hand made figurines by the Greenside High School Grade 10 Artclass of 2003, are placed on the window sill in the bathroom.
The inspiration for this project was the prehistoric sculpture "Venus of Willendorf."

The bathroom.. handmade metal sculpture hanging on my wall.
One of my paintings hangs above the bed, in the main bedroom.

As an artist I have far more things that hang from my walls, the ceilings, the trees, but here I have only given you a glimpse of my space and what hangs on my walls.
"MY WALLS">>> "OUR WALLS"







Please scroll right to the end I can't rid of this space!!!!

Celebration Paintings- A Series(Jan2009)

I love painting to music, Loreena McKennitt, Edith Piaff , Spirits, various Putumayo cd's.

I love them- real world music. My latest ones are French, I already have Spanish ones. Somehow to listen to a foreign language while I paint is so romantic.

Music fills the air and helps me to open my heart , keeps my feet

a-tapping and away I go.

The Music lifts me into a space where I go into a complete fantasy world—me myself and I.

When the sun streams into my studio from the north, the rainbow maker in the window catches the light and the colours dart around like fairies.

Sometimes when I’m sipping my tea (I just love tea) I slide down into the chair, stretch out my feet and soak up the African sun. This is where inspiration fills me, it envelopes me just like the comfortable old chair I recline on.

The music is still playing Adiemus, Joe Cocker Nublious soblais..... Frida, .....

The winter sun, or the summer light and TEA.

Painting sooo magical, soo yummmy, soo divine, soo beautiful.

Here I go into a fantasy world, a world of pure imagination, and I must admit that sometimes the world of my imagination is so strong that it slips into my “real” life... oops.

The following paintings were inspired by the music, the movement, the rainbow colours and the pure celebration of life.

I have just finished them January 2009.They are available and for sale.

Please contact me on ronniebiccard@gmail.com for sizes and price.

Celebration-Seranade
Celebration- Seasons

Celebration- In Crimson

Celebration-Salsa

Spirit Paintings

Spirit Paintings

My Spirit Paintings are inspired and guided works of art.
I collect information and reference about each person and connect with them on a soul level.
I use their date of birth;
Astrological signs: their sun, moon and rising signs, (according to the time and place of their Birth)
Elements; Air is Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
Water is Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces; Fire is Aries, Leo and Sagittarius
Earth is Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Elementals (fairy tale stuff): faeries, elves, brownies, gnomes, leprechauns, salamanders, genies, nymphs, mermaids, storm angels etc Guardian Angels, gods, goddesses, totem animals, archetypes, flowers, colours, crystals, instruments, etc.and transform these into unique and customised artworks that speak to your very Soul.
These are personalised paintings and are commisioned only.To commission one of these artworks for yoursel for someone special please contact me.
ronniebiccard@gmail.com

Earth

Earth
Water
Water

Air
Fire
Water

Water

Fire

Fire

Fire

Fire

From Fear into Freedom

Spanish Loveliness

Troubedours

Costa Del Ladies

In december of 2007 we hired a movie called "Blood Diamonds" with Leonardo De Caprio. Set against the backdrop of civil war and chaos in 1990's Sierra Leone. A violent movie which had a terrible impact on me. In January the following year I had a vision, a nightmarish one, where I saw civil war and violence in our own country(South Africa). A few months later we did have terrible violence, where xenophobia struck our country and people from other countries in Africa were displaced and brutally attacked.
Many white South Africans were once again leaving our beautiful country. I had thoughts of the same. For the next few months I was gripped in fear. Paralized by it in fact. I just didn't want to be in South Africa where we have all this crime and violence.
I had been a victim of an armed robbery the year before at a friends house, we weren't harmed at all, but the invasion on ones space and person is quite infuriating and humbling at the same time.
I suppose I didn't deal with the trauma at the time because I didn't feel traumatised at all. In fact it was quite a strange out of body feeling then- and I felt no fear. The reality of what could have happened struck me a year later when I saw the movie, had the vision and then the actual violence of the xenophobic attacks..
I went into a very dark space of feeling very very fearful, angry, hopeless and depressed.
I wanted to remove myself from this harsh experience.
I want to leave South Africa and relocate to Spain. I travelled to Spain about 10 years ago and loved it. This is where I started an escape from reality. I had and still have this romantic notion that it would be so beautiful, carefree and inspiring. AND SAFE. I started searching on the internet for properties to buy to renovate. They say artists live in a world of fantasy. Well thank goodness, it was my saviour. I definately escaped on a very creative and inspiring journey this time. I removed myself from and dealt with the fear that gripped me, I transmuted it into freedom. I didn't have to sell up and uproot. I was free to be the gypsy, I could escape and paint away the fear. I think I drove my husband and family crazy.
For me this experience was about dreaming, about imagining; in the day, in the night and in my creations...
Where in Spain I travelled to I don't know. I just know I found fabulous places and here "my little cortija in Spain on a Finca " dream came about.

The whole experience was an inspiration for a series of art work.
This vision and dream continues to be a source of inspiration for my paintings, and one day I will return to Spain. Cordoba

Little Boxes
Spanish Houses

Art in the Kitchen

A fun day creating in my kitchen. My studio is only big enough for ME! So I resorted to using my kitchen as a studio, it was fine but not ideal. I would have regular workshops but I take up all space for myself in my studio.

WISH LIST: BIG STUDIO

Sandy

Busy busy budding artists.. heads down Jo and Judes.

Glue, String, paper-all the bits and pieces.

Happy Jane

Thyrza concentrating!!