Using reference in abstract painting. Limonana series.

Last year I have joined Israeli artists group of Toronto which organizes art exhibit annualy. For this show I have decided to continue the theme of exploring my Israeli part of identity through food. I chose my favourite summer drink-Limonana which is popular in Israel. It is a refreshing  iced smoothie from fresh lemon juice and mint leaves. In Toronto you can find it in ‘Aroma’ café, but it is also very easy to make it at home in a blender.

For 4 cups (one liter) of ice limonana:

2 cups of ice
1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 large lemons)
1/2 cup spearmint leaves (from about 40 stalks), plus a few more to garnish
4-6 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)

Juice the lemons, and remove the mint leaves from the stalks. Dump all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.

Serve garnished with mint.

 

 

 ‘There is no abstract art.  You must always start with something.  Afterward you can remove all traces of reality’,-Pablo Picasso. Said that, I have used reference photographs to come up with the compositions. I wanted my paintings  to be non-objective , so I was just guided by the forms , shapes and colours from the photos. To build a colour scheme I picked colours which represent mint, lemon and the blended drink, and added purple colour to make the complimentary colour scheme.  I am always looking for the colour contrasts, especially to highlight the focal point of the painting. I continued using collage and drips in this series as well. The new thing in these works is that I have used new scrapping tools which I bought recently.

I will exhibit 4 paintings from ‘Limonana’ series  in IGAT art show which will take place on May 17-20, 2012 in McDonald House, Thornhill. 25 artists will present there works, including painting, sculptures, ceramics and jewellery.