Nina Allen Freeman » Blog
Talking about art is almost as much fun as doing art and few things are as much fun as making art! Here are some thoughts I have on the subject of painting.
Posted on 9/4/2025 2:17:44 PM
By Nina Allen Freeman
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Many papers, both found and self made add interesting form and color
Collaging can add unique textures and details to a painting that is not otherwise possible to achieve. Painting over the collaged papers unite them within the painting in interesting and creative ways. [...]
Posted on 8/22/2022 2:04:12 PM
By Nina Allen Freeman
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Shadow Study by Nina Allen Freeman
I’ve enjoyed using collage in my paintings for many years. I’ve created collage papers in a variety of ways but recently I began layering collage and paint. This layering technique creates a very rich textured surface that is an interesting background for many subjects. [...]
Posted on 12/1/2021 10:14:19 AM
By Nina Allen Freeman
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Untethered by Nina Allen Freeman
“How do I start an abstract?” “I’m a realist painter, I don’t know how to paint abstract.” These are comments I hear from my students frequently. One thing is true for me, abstract painting is difficult. With realism, you draw out objects, people or landscape and and work from there. These, of course, have their own challenges, but the forms are there already. Abstraction comes from within. The artist creates all the same things; shapes, color, line, contrast, texture, and more, but without a base in reality. [...]
Posted on 2/21/2019 10:13:15 AM
By Nina Allen Freeman
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"Lagoon" by Nina Allen Freeman
Abstract painting is both a challenge and a joy to me. I feel a sense of freedom when pushing paint and other media around with only my inner voice to guide me. The challenge is to create a painting with all the things that make any painting good ; contrast, movement, balance, a sense of depth, and interesting shapes and line. Here is the process I use to create my abstract paintings. [...]
Posted on 5/7/2015 7:45:29 AM
By Nina Allen Freeman
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"Coastal Reflection by Nina Allen Freeman
A friend told me recently that she had seen plenty of DVDs, been to lots of workshops and read enough books to know all the painting techniques a person needs to have. She wanted to know what experienced artists are thinking about when they are painting. How do they make the many decisions that have to be made while creating a painting? [...]
Posted on 3/17/2015 1:59:03 PM
By Nina Allen Freeman
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Exit by Nina Allen Freeman
Why are people attracted to abstract painting? In equal numbers, abstract painting repels viewers with comments like "I don't understand modern art." "What is it?" While other people see things in abstract paintings that the artist had no idea would be there. Abstracts reach viewers on an emotional level. My painting, Animated Conversation prompted a friend to say, "I don't know what it is but it makes me feel happy." [...]
