Interpretation of Art

Our Earth    Jim Plesh   24” x 32”  acrylic on canvas      available: limited edition giclee’ prints   varied sizes

Quite often I’m asked for an interpretation of one of my paintings - my thoughts in creating it. What’s the story behind the painting? How long did it take to complete the piece? Indeed, behind most of my paintings there is a story to tell, a reason for being.  Each work is, in fact, its own being. 

But just as the viewer seeks my interpretation, I am just as interested in their interpretation of the piece. Once the artist creates a work of art, it has a life of its own. The painting is fair game for the viewing public, standing alone for interpretation and acceptance or rejection. Consequently, the viewer has a say relative to interpretation and reaction.  In that sense, the viewer’s interpretation of a piece of art may be just as meaningful as the artist’s own reasoning, allowing for it to take on a life even beyond what the artist intended or imagined.

Many of my works of art are created in such a way to allow, and in fact, encourage the viewer to read into it what he or she envisions. The viewer becomes, if you will, part of its creation by completing it in their mind’s eye.  The painting speaks through the way people see it, and what each of us sees, or feels, is personal. In this way, the art becomes much more through the point of view of another.  To me, this is what makes art, especially expressionistic works, so exciting and meaningful.

When asked how long a painting may have taken me to create, my usual response is that it took my whole life. This response is not meant to be evasive or flippant. The work, regardless of the hours, days, weeks or months of rendering, encompass many years of experience, learning, emotions and continued education and development.  Regardless of time taken to physically render a work of art, it is its own being.  

"A painting requires a little mystery, some vagueness, some fantasy. When you always make your meaning perfectly plain you end up boring people."     

Degas