I am currently longing for an abstract nature painting. Contemporary art is fascinating for many reasons, but when it comes to abstract paintings, I am drawn towards subtle and unusual art. With my life-long love for all things nature related, it makes perfect sense that the combination of abstract and nature would be appealing.
The thing I love most about abstract nature painting as a concept is the eluding to themes rather than obvious imagery. Abstract seascapes use colour, texture and movement that bring to mind the shifting tides of the ocean, while landscapes use brush strokes, shapes and colour to depict wide open spaces and vast skies. It is the minimal simplicity that captivates my imagination. I think that an abstract nature artwork would look amazing in my minimal boho cottage, especially set against light coloured walls and flanked by plenty of houseplants. But this sort of painting would work in almost every home – modern, mimimal and otherwise.
Abstract Nature Painting Inspiration
Featuring country fields, shifting tides, clouds and all sorts of other landscape scenes, these amazing examples of abstract nature painting are truly breath-taking.
Sea photographs are often featured in my prints. What I love about this oceanscape is the balance between sky, clouds, water and shore. The colours and textures add dimension, while the overall effect is moody and interesting. This ocean is less than peaceful. Instead, it makes me think of high tide, with waves crashing to shore and gloomy storm clouds approaching.
This work is featured in a Pastoral Interludes series. After living in the country for a few years, I have a great love for rural scenes. This work captures the huge skies, endless fields and the tall clumps of trees that are so typical of almost any countryside. I love the muted colours, which remind me of winter or autumn. I also like the illusion of mountains in the background.
Norma Stephenson – Ridgeway over Bowland Hills
While not technically a painting (this work is done in pastels), I adore the lines and texture in this piece. This reminds me of the views from the top of Piket-bo-Berg, a town close to where I used to live in the Boland. From the mountain pass, you could look down onto the valley below. The colours in this work are beautiful, while the sunshine effect in the right corner makes me think of late autumn in the country.
Paul Bennett – Familiar Ground 2
This is one of the most haunting seascapes I have seen. With the heavy use of grey in the sky and water, and the movement of the waves, with sea foam and froth, this reminds me of the calm before the storm. I love the balance of colours, which blend into each other to enhance the sense of movement. It is omninous and yet oddly peaceful.
Fred Cuming – Cloudscape Camber
Clouds are easily one of my most favourite things to photograph. Country skies are especially magical, especially with such a huge horizon. This painting reminds me of a remote beach in winter, with mountains in the background, wide open sands, a calm ocean and huge, stormy clouds forming above. I love the soft colours and would totally have this in a bedroom.
This contemporary Scottish skyscape painting is captivating. It captures Luskentyre beach, on the Isle of Harris. The use of bright colours is lovely, giving a hint of reflections on the water in late afternoon or at sunset. I love the sunburst effect over the sea and the rocks, ripples and twilight tones. This is my favourite of all the paintings featured in this post.
Carol Engles – Magenta and Lavender Field 1
Another mesmerising abstract nature painting, this one is acrylic on paper. I love the use of textures and painting techniques that add depth to the fields of lavender. The clear open skies add balance, while the hints of green make me think of a fresh meadow during the springtime. There’s even a hint of mountain in the background.
Peter Wileman – Our Side of the Creek
This is my second favourite piece. Done in oil on canvas, the colours of this painting are blended perfectly to capture the sky, fields and landscape. I love the ethereal trees, the water, the grass and the massive country horizon. I also adore the pink clouds and the sense of happiness this piece invokes. It reminds me of long walks in the countryside on a cool, cloudy day.
I really want to find a local artist here in Cape Town that specialises in abstract nature painting so that I can enjoy this bit of scenic magic in my own home.
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