The Shift: From Pouring to Modern Art
Rubenstein Chan Gallery Exhibiting: Circle of Life, mixed media on canvas, 55×92
While I have always loved the magical, fluid nature of pouring paint, my current work is moving toward a more refined finish. As a contemporary artist, I have realized that a standard brush often feels too “heavy” for the atmospheric looks I want to achieve. By bridging the gap between fluid freedom and controlled precision, I can create a surface that truly breathes.
The Archive: Why Some Abstract Art Needs a “Second Act”
In the world of modern abstract art in Laguna Beach, we all have pieces tucked away that didn’t quite land. Reworking old art is an act of bravery. By revisiting these canvases, I am reclaiming my own history and seeing my own evolution as an artist who offers original abstract art for sale.
Power Tool Therapy: Taking Out the Power Sander
There is a specific satisfaction in using power tools, especially when they do the heavy lifting for you! After a morning spent managing my mother’s care, the vibration of the sander helps release my built-up stress directly into the canvas. By clearing the “old” textures away, I am effectively clearing my mind for a fresh start on these new modern pieces.
A girl loves power tools! There is a specific satisfaction in holding a tool that does the hard work for you. After a morning of managing my mom’s care, the power sander allows that stress to vibrate out of my muscles and into the canvas. I’m clearing the deck so I can start fresh on these new modern abstract art pieces.
The Ritual of the Mist: Preparing the Airbrush
I have come to realize that the process of airbrushing is just as vital as the final result. Because this tool requires disciplined preparation, you cannot simply pick it up and go. First, I must sand the surface until it is flawlessly smooth; otherwise, the fine mist will magnify every tiny bump or ridge.
Next comes the “reduction.” I thin out the paint to the exact consistency of milk so the compressor can atomize it properly. This preparation is a meditation in itself. By the time I guide the mist across the gesso background, the thinking is done, and the feeling begins.
From Darkness to Light: Embracing Serenity
Lately, my palette has shifted. While my previous series focused on dark, heavy tones, I am now drawn back to the brightness of a white gesso background. Returning to this light feels like opening a window in a dark room. I am not trying to hide the past; instead, I am clearing the space so the new work can finally breathe.
My biggest change today as a contemporary abstract artist in California is the palette. My previous series was dominated by Payne’s Gray. Lately, that darkness has felt too heavy.
Today, I am focused on going back to a Gesso background. By airbrushing these lighter layers over a fresh gessoed background, I’m creating a glow that wasn’t there before—a radiance that only comes when you’ve done the work to let the light back in.
The Physics of Play: The Heartbeat of the Compressor
To get that smooth spray that looks like a morning mist over Laguna, you need a powerful compressor. There is something so satisfying about its steady hum. It provides the pressure needed to atomize the paint, turning it into a seamless veil of color.
I’m also incredibly grateful to have an amazing assistant, Jesse, helping me with this process today. We all need help, I believe. Having a team is truly the best way to produce the best artworks. When the compressor is steady, and I’m working alongside Jesse, the airbrush becomes an extension of my own breath. With the California sun warming the canvas and speeding up the drying time, the process feels like a continuous dance.
The Caregiver’s Reset: Why Art Matters
As I work, my mother rests inside. Knowing she is safe allows me to enter a “creative bubble” where I can truly recharge. Being a caregiver is a beautiful yet exhausting journey; therefore, the studio is where I reset my own internal battery. I’ve realized I’m not just making modern art; I’m generating the energy I need to be a better daughter and a more patient human being. Every layer I spray reflects that deep connection.
The Courage to Sand it Down
In the end, art and life aren’t that different. Sometimes you have to have the courage to pick up a power sander and level the texture down to the bones. Only then can you find the smooth, serene finish you’ve been looking for as a contemporary abstract artist in California or in any other role.
“As the sun warms the studio, I see the first veil of mist catching the light over my fresh gessoed background. It’s a physical reminder that we don’t have to stay stuck in the shadows of our old ‘remnants.’ I’m glad I had the courage to let go of the darkness of the past. I’m glad I listened to my intuition rather than just waiting to figure it out. Sometimes the best move isn’t the logical one—it’s the one that brings you back to your own sense of serenity.”
Michael Murphy Gallery Exhibiting: Celebration, Mixed media on canvas 72×115
What about you? Is there something in your life or your art that you’ve been trying to “brush over,” when what it really needs is a fresh start and a little help from a team?
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an airbrush technique work for abstract art?
Unlike traditional brushes, an airbrush creates “atmospheric veils” of color. By using a powerful compressor to atomize paint into a fine mist, I can mimic the soft coastal light found here in Laguna Beach. However, this requires thinned paint and a perfectly smooth surface to prevent the needle from clogging.
What are the benefits of reworking old canvases?
I view reworking old art as a form of “artistic reclamation.” Instead of erasing the past, I use the “ghosts” of previous layers as a structural foundation. This process serves as a physical reminder that no effort is ever wasted; it simply might be waiting for its “Second Act.”
Why use a power sander on fine art?
To achieve a gallery-quality finish, the canvas must be stripped back to its “bones.” Because the airbrush applies such a delicate layer of color, any old drips or textures would stand out awkwardly. Sanding ensures the new gesso background is flawlessly flat and ready to catch the light.
What is the best Gesso for a smooth airbrush background?
The best gesso for this process is highly pigmented but fine-grained. It acts as the “reset button” for the canvas. When applied correctly—often in multiple thin layers—it creates a brilliant, reflective surface that allows modern abstract art to “breathe” and provides the necessary brightness to make light colors appear to glow from within.
How do you balance being a caregiver with being a professional artist?
Balancing caregiving with art requires creating a “creative bubble”—a dedicated time and space where the artist can recharge. The studio becomes a sanctuary where the stresses of caregiving can “vibrate out.” By focusing on the process, such as the steady hum of a compressor or the rhythm of sanding, the artist finds the patience and energy needed to return to their role as a daughter and support system.
Where can I see modern abstract art in Laguna Beach?
You can view the latest collections of one-of-a-kind works at the Clara Berta Studio. The studio specializes in original abstract art for sale, focusing on pieces that capture the serenity and atmospheric light of the California coast. Visiting the studio allows collectors to see the “vibration of the real” that only comes from original, multi-layered fine art.