What is Abstract Art? A Beginner’s Guide

If you’ve ever stood in front of a canvas splashed with bold colors and wondered, “What am I looking at?” - you’re not alone. Abstract art can feel mysterious at first, especially if you’re used to art that aims to look like the real world. But abstract art isn’t about replication. It’s about expression. And once you understand what abstract art is doing, it becomes an open invitation to feel something, to see something new, or to simply be with the work in your own way.

What is Abstract Art?

At its simplest, abstract art is art that doesn't try to represent the physical world exactly. Instead, it uses color, form, shape, texture, and line to create a visual language of its own. Abstract art removes the literal - faces, flowers, landscapes - and replaces it with emotion, energy, and interpretation.

Some abstract artists work loosely from real-world inspiration and then distort or simplify it (this is often called semi-abstract). Others work entirely from intuition or imagination, letting the process unfold without a specific subject in mind.

As an abstract artist myself, I often begin a painting with a feeling, a color I’m drawn to, or even just a desire to play. I’m usually not trying to paint a chair or a tree—I’m trying to paint what joy feels like, or what it looks like when a memory starts to fade.

The Meaning Behind Abstract Art

Abstract art isn’t meaningless—it just doesn’t spell everything out. Where traditional art might show you a scene, abstract art creates a mood. It invites you to engage emotionally or even spiritually.

For example, in my recent collection, Second Chances, I reworked pieces that originally didn’t feel quite right. Instead of discarding them, I painted over the busy areas and uncovered something new—art that felt lighter, more joyful, and more true to the energy I wanted to bring into the world. The meaning in that series isn’t about any one subject; it’s about renewal, transformation, and trusting the process.

Meaning in abstract art is often layered. Sometimes it's deeply personal to the artist. Other times, it’s meant to spark your own meaning as a viewer. That’s part of the magic—you get to meet the art halfway.

How to Look at Abstract Art (Even If You Don’t “Get It”)

If abstract art feels confusing, here’s a secret: you don’t have to “get” it the way you might decode a math problem. There’s no one right answer. Try approaching it like music—let it wash over you. What does it make you feel? What memories or moods does it stir up?

When people view my work in person or online at vickyreddish.com, they often tell me they’re drawn to the color, or that a piece reminds them of a place they love, or even a dream they had. That connection? That feeling? That’s it. That’s the art doing its job.

Abstract Art in My Studio Practice

Color is my language. I often begin with a single hue I can’t stop thinking about—maybe a golden yellow that reminds me of summer in Tennessee, or a juicy pink that feels like joy bottled up. I layer paint with brushes, palette knives, sometimes even my hands. Texture is just as important to me as color—thick paint layered on the canvas, or soft pastel marks that whisper across the surface.

My collection Color x Texture explores this obsession. The goal was simple: let color and texture lead. The result is a series that’s energetic and alive, filled with movement and unexpected harmony.

Why Abstract Art Matters

In a world that’s often too literal, abstract art gives us permission to dream. It reminds us that beauty doesn’t always follow rules. It allows both artists and viewers to slow down, reflect, and experience something that can’t always be named.

For me, creating abstract art is more than a career—it’s a way to process life. I started painting seriously during a season of emotional flux. What began as a way to unwind after work became something I craved daily. Now, it’s where I go to feel whole, hopeful, and grounded. My hope is that the art I make offers you a small piece of that feeling too.

Curious to see abstract art in action?
Take a peek at my latest collections on vickyreddish.com or follow along behind the scenes on Instagram @vickyreddish. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or someone who just discovered abstract art today, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here.