Painting is used to convey creative expression. Much like drawing, painting is a visual art form. Brushes, and various tools are used to apply pigment to a hard surface. Throughout history, painting has been used to describe a moment, historical record, political views, emotion and many other areas of the human condition. Paint or pigment has been mixed with oils, egg, thinner, and a variety of other less common additives to give the image qualities such as mood, integrity, depth and adhesion.
Pastel
A crayon made from pure powder pigments and a binder, such as gum or resin. The pigments used in pastels are the same as those used in oil paints. Pastels have been used widely since the Renaissance and major painters including Edgar Degas, Marie Cassatt, Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso chose this medium as an alternate to oils at various times throughout their careers. Picasso lobbied the French manufacturer, Henri Sennelier, to produce a better grade oil pastel when supplies were scarce during the post-war years in Europe.
Abstract
Abstract art is non-representational art or sculpture that does not depict elements of the natural world and signify a departure from realistic portrayal. Art from the Renaissance to the 19th century was realist and representational in nature. As European artists began to be exposed to art from other cultures, they found new ways to depict visual language. By the late 19th century, abstract forms and works began to appear in the art world.
More about Joan Sonnenberg
Sonnenberg’s first major achievement in the art world was double-fold. She won two Best of Show awards in 1976, with both exhibitions at the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio. Sonnenberg’s work has been honored with 57 major awards in art exhibitions throughout the United States – Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Ohio, North Carolina and Florida, with four solo exhibitions from 2004 to 2016. Jurors include internationally known artists Richard Anuszkiewicz and Faith Ringgold as well as art critics, museum curators and directors. Her large-scale etchings, paintings and murals have been included in 18 major corporation collections in Japan, Brazil and throughout the U.S.