Abstract Feelings

On By ResaIn Abstracts, Graffiti Alley

Abstract is the best word I can come up with to describe how I feel these days.

Graffiti Alley

Might as well show off some of the abstract art I’ve collected. A definition is as follows:

For some reason, this piece called out.

I think it has something to do with the centre sort of 3D geometric breast/shield shape.

As you can see it was painted over other art. The abstract artist allowed some of the previous art to remain.

Chuckling about the teeth (old art) chewing on. the new art.

Alley Gallery

Graffiti Alley isn’t the only alley with art in Toronto. These are from alleys near my home.

Since first sighting of the wedge below, Graham at Mandala Vihara came to mind.

So, using the rotation feature, I made 4 sides to form a mandala. Only perfect is perfect. This is the best I could do with imperfect.

BY THE WAY: Tiffany Arpdaleo Is an abstract artist I follow on WP. Her art is fabulous.

Below – A car reflects wall art.

This alley fence I pass at least once a week was painted 2 years ago. I took the pic back then. The colours are still holding out.

Garage Doors

A bit further away, but within a 3 hour there and back walk:

This garage door in 3, parts, makes a cool triptych. A resident came home & parked her car. It was cool how the doors opened. The 3 pieces are featured individually in the slideshow below.

Same artist as the fence at the end of Alley Gallery. There were 4 in 1 alley – in the slideshow.

The below artist’s work is popular in the alleys.

This is an old rotting wood garage door. Yay for art!

On the Street

Not swung out at first sight, but it’s grown on me.

Boxes

I’ve been somewhat neglectful of taking pics of power boxes and Bell boxes. Most are abstract. Pulling my socks up as of NOW!

Below- Tags piled on tags. I’m quite fond of the accidental abstract this non art, art form randomly creates. Still, it defies the definition, which makes me like it even better. Think I’ll call it Rebel Art.

Pics taken by Resa – 2022 – 2025

Toronto, Canada

Some of the Artists:

141 thoughts on “Abstract Feelings”

  2. Hi, Resa. I hope feeling abstract is not a bad thing — that you’re feeling the strong colors and lines, and free of the interpretation of others. When I first read that statement, I thought “me too.” But then I realized that I feel more “agitated” than abstract. Agitated as in the teeth-jarring vibrating uncertainty of an earth tremor and apprehensively looking to see if the ground is about to open up. LOL.
    I enjoyed these murals. There’s so much vibrant energy in them. I particularly like the second one. This is a lovely collection. Big hugs to you and Misha. 🐱

    1. Thank you Teagan,
      No… not a bad thing, but something different than normal, that is causing exhaustion, perhaps putting a haze over things.
      However, when it comes to the arts, everything is exciting.

      Agitated.. the earth opening. I can go with that, too. OH!!!… I think I’ll put “Tremors” on while I’m drawing tonight!

      It’s one of my fave movies that I don’t watch!

      I’m thrilled you enjoyed this colourful line-up of art.

      Misha let me hug her for a minute and kiss her on the back of her head…. only a minute!

      Hugs all around for you and the Scoobies!

    1. It’s always fun and a challenge to look at different arts. Of course my go to faves are always with women in beautiful gowns, but that’s just me.
      Some love landscapes.
      Hvae a great weekend Martha!

  5. I feel like that “rebel art,” Resa. It’s utter chaos here, and getting worse. I’m so sorry that this is impacting all Canadians (and others around the world). It’s tragic and psychotic. Malignant narcissists take a lot of joy in the power to make others suffer. Thank you for the wonderful variety of beautiful abstract art.

    1. Lol, we do think alike.
      “Rebel Art” is my fave, as it does feel like our times.
      Yes, Mary (his cousin) says he enjoys making people suffer and watching it. Always has.
      This might sound crazy, but I think ignoring him and doing what we have to do to survive is the smartest thing.
      And… in the while… we will make art(s) and become enriched.
      OH… lol…. you won’t believe the mess I am in with the post office, because homeless are urinating on my step.!
      They have stopped my mail, temporarily.
      Yet, another arrow flies from the sling.
      xo
      When I get

      1. Ewww. We’re starting to set up homeless camps here – for the American refugees in their own country. There’s going to be lots of urinating in the streets.
        And I’ll try to make art. My muse is out protesting somewhere, so everything is on hold.

        1. Refugees in our own countries…. SAD … we have a “massive” operation about 12 blocks from me., I’d say about 300 people. It’s not just shelter, it’s feeding and bathrooms and showers.
          It’s social workers & health workers working with a resistant community of mentally ill, alcoholism and/or drug abuse.

          Fortunately, as we have a large social safety net in Canada, I see that out of luck families, battered women and children, etc. are NOT ending up in these camps (and urinating on my step).
          They accept the gov’t help, and housing.
          LOL! Your muse is protesting. I like that. Your muse is not amused.
          When your muse returns, perhaps you will write about her journey in the land of protests.

          When I say art, I mean all of the arts.
          Reading this comment, I had to listen to “Rebel Yell”, an old Billy Idol song.

          As we are now saying in Canada, “Elbows Up!”

          1. Yes. “Elbows Up” Canada!
            My muse has been nudging me to write a scathingly dark story. When she gives me a good metaphor, perhaps. 🙂 For now, I’m writing cranky, moody, furious poetry.

            1. LOL! Cranky, moody & furious is a good way to be right now.
              I look forward to all such themed poetry you churn out.
              Beats sad, defeated and despairing.
              I’m waiting for more music artists to write protest songs!

              Okay, gotta go deal with the urine/mailbox issue!
              Hugs!

          2. There are quite a few “sanctioned” camps now in a number of different states. Portland, Oregon, near where I live, has six city-run encampments serving 1500 people. Others currently exist in Montana, Washington, Texas, and California.

              1. Their refugees from a system that has failed them and they have nowhere to go but the streets. The government has “parked” them in areas where they won’t be eyesores. Some places provide toilets and water.

                2. Homeless as in San Francisco? I was there a few years back. A city I’ve been to several times and that I love, but the homeless were… a measure of despair… I remembered a few shrink friends telling me that the homeless have so many psychological trouble it’s very hard to do anything for them. Except compassion I guess.

  6. A lot of great pieces here – I do especially like the boxes. I had a art teacher once tell me that figurative art is not real art and only abstract art is real art. Which I realized well after my tender and impressionable youth was complete BS. Art is both real and unreal and the artist must go with what feels organically right for them.

    1. Good for you, Jan!
      How crazy that people would put rules on art?
      That is so…anti art!
      Hey, I drew a portrait of Hendrix with ballpoint. I showed it to the kid at the art store. He was fawning over it when the older owner came over and said it wasn’t art because I had used a ballpoint.

      A wild argument ignited about what art is. I made a hasty exit.

  7. I love the variety of murals, colors and styles you found this week Resa. I can relate to feeling abstract, detached, off-balance, etc. But I suspect that is part of DT’s plan.

    1. Yay, I am thrilled you enjoyed this colourful collection of art.
      Ah, Brad you are perceptive.
      Yes DT’s planless plan. I did break into a hearty chuckle. Are you familiar with the term the “dt’s”” delirium tremens – severe alcohol withdrawal.
      He really is a dt!

        1. Yes! It actually works great, until reality seeps back in.
          However, the amount of drugs or alcohol to escape at this point could be terminal.
          There I go, trying to be funny again. 😵‍💫😖

  9. I love all the art you have shared Resa.. The breast plate metallic look very striking.. And the shapes on the garage doors also

    I love how you made a mandala out of the corner piece… It was near on perfect 🙂 The old rotting wood art.. Wow.. what a transformation .. Thank you Resa for sharing… We need more art in the world, abstract or otherwise… Colour and Energy it brings… Sending lots of love and Hugs, Have a lovely weekend Resa.. ❤ 💚✨🦋

    1. YES, the energy colour brings. You have hit the nail on the head, Sue.
      That is also one of the springtime joy energies.
      Colour.

      After all the winter grey, sunless days, these colourful abstracts spend their happiness on us.
      Lots of love back to you Sue!
      Happy gardening!
      ☀️💚🌼💚🌻

  10. Yeah, I can identify with feeling a bit abstract right now…

    Actually, if you “abstract” something, you take features and change them, like Picasso did when he turned features of a human face into pure geometric objects. In one sense, art that has been abstracted, like all Picasso’s art that isn’t realistic, is “abstract”. If you can’t recognize an object it is better called “nonrepresentational art”. Abstract Expressionism, like Jackson Pollock, is a good example. When he first started doing this form, people asked what it was supposed to be abstracted from, since they couldn’t see anything. They were shocked when he told them there was no physical model, it was shocking.

    Trustfully, after all is said and done, 99.99% of people these days, even artists and art curators, take that definition you used for “abstract art”. Oh well… lol.

    Anyway, great photos of great street artwork, abstract, nonrepresentational, non-figurative or non-objective, it is all cool!

    1. Trent,
      I’m so happy you’re back!
      I love this comment.
      “abstract, nonrepresentational, non-figurative or non-objective” – I want to go through and see what applies o each piece.
      Oh and Abstract Expressionism.

      According to what you have said, I would think the only “abstract” in an original sense of the word would be the last garage door by “CRUZ”.?
      There are faces in that one. I was waiting to be challenged.

      Yeah, there’s nothing like that abstract feeling.

      I refuse to feel black, anger creeps in, still many moments of love and contentment, but most of all; the arts seem to be the one constant that makes me feel happy!

      OH… and there’s the Rebel Art! Now that is truly a recent art form – uncontrollable, communal madness.

      1. Hi Resa! I know, nit-picking with terms, which the vast majority of people in art don’t really do today, but it is fun 🙂 I might go back through and see what I think of each, though maybe better go through what you sent me and figure those out.
        I have been going through rage, depression, etc. I hate to say it, but that week away with my head in the sand was great, though we did discuss current events a bit.
        Rebel Art – now that is a good one for today!

        1. Nit away… and I don’t mean sweaters.

          I’ll probably start roughing in the MOCA post in a week. That means 2 weeks anyway, before I send it t you, for our chat on it. I think you might be going away again. Let me know!
          No rush!

          Agree! It’s wonderful to escape into a joy. Still, what is gong on now is hard to escape.
          I change channels, and his head is always there.

          Rebel Art! I’m hoping. to find some in graffiti alley when I go there again.

          1. Those little nits do add to conversation 🙂

            I am going to be out of town from late next Thursday for a little over a week, but I will be accessing email and such, so not off grid as i was in Colorado. I am going to be on the Cape. My sister and parents will be there for most of the time, so I won’t be totally free, but I will have time on my own. Biggest issue is if I am going to write some music for it. I have started to sketch some lyrics (opposite way of how I usually work) but they may not fit this project. As you suggested, I most likely should do an instrumental.

            It is hard to escape. And every time I think he has hit the pinnacle of bad, he does something worse, like trying to erase blacks from Arlington Cemetery.

            Hope you find some good Rebel Art!

  11. These are terrific. The colors and layouts. I love abstract art and this post is just perfect. Great find and great shots. The reflection on the car is wonderful.

    1. Thanks Gi!
      Suddenly this post feels like a big jolt of spring colour before it happens. Colour is so important to mental health.
      I found some wonderful art today!
      There was a leopard in it!!!
      I’ll text it! xoxo

      1. You are so right about color and mental health. It matters and makes a huge difference. You’re also right about it making spring seem like it’s almost here. Great photographs and wonderful artist.

  15. Lots of abstraction! Not really my thing but some are very appealing, and I love your Mandala. I guess I prefer patterns and recognisable shapes. Have a great weekend, hon!

    1. My fave is art of women in gowns, through all the ages.
      Still, I try to remain open in the all arts.

      I had fun with that mandala! Thanks Jo!

      You have a blast! xo

    1. TOF! Yes… free art is “the” art.

      All of the arts are a beautiful thing. Art in the galleries is wonderful, but it costs $$ to get in to see it. Books are important, and free if you find the one you want to read at the library, or you get a gift. Music is paramount, to me.

      But the art on the walls in the streets and alleys has captured my heart, like no other.

    1. Rebel Art!!!!
      🏍🏍🏍𝓖 𝓻 𝓸 𝓸 𝓿 𝔂🏍🏍🏍

      (did you like the Mandala I made for you?) I’ll never see anything close to a mandala without thinking of you. Your Mandalas are gorgeous. Thank you!

      1. Oh, yes I did! And even more so now knowing it was for me. I have to confess to having missed the shout-out first time around — how very kind of you to think of and mention me, you lovely groovy groovster you! 🙇‍♂️

        Stay 𝓖 𝓻 𝓸 𝓸 𝓿 𝔂!

        🫡✌🫶🌟️✨💫

  19. So much wonderful art here, Resa. I love all the vibrant colors and energy in the art you’ve shared. Such a variety, too!

    I will have to think about feeling abstract. Abstract as in Guernica, perhaps. But also I feel like I’m Through the Looking Glass or in Twin Peaks, surreal and bizarre. And of course, approaching 1984.

    1. All I want to do is walk all day and find art, then make dinner and do art at night. Then share it with blog pals.

      Of course the other reality, not my reality, is a real thorn in the side.

      Guernica… hahaha… hahaha.
      Understood, as abstract is not a word associated with emotion.
      Perhaps Dali’s surrealism IS closer.
      Bizarre for sure.
      1984…. around the corner.

      Funner note: I’m well into Data and Documents and excitedly working my way to Chronology!

      1. Walking, seeing art, doing art, sharing art–that sounds like a well-spent life to me, Resa!

        Yes, surreal, bizarre . . .

        Thank you for reading my book so carefully!

        1. Your book is fabulous! It will be interesting to see how I cover it in a post, as the reference book it is, and not as an opinion. I have a couple of ideas.

          I might have a couple of non-opinion, research related questions, if I may?

  20. What wonderful examples of abstract art, Resa. I love the way you’ve shown many different examples. The garage door art appeals to me, for some reason. I suppose I like the way that the art is there, despite the rotting door; it’s hopeful somehow and uplifting! The first image is incredible; those shapes and colors make the mind drift and wander, finding its own possibilities. Thanks for sharing 🌷😊💜

    1. Hello Ada,
      You are welcome, and I’m thrilled you enjoyed this selection!
      The weather has been nice here, and I’ve been able to get out for more walks, and I have found some gorgeous art.

      Yes, I find the colours in the abstracts uplifting, a perfect herald for spring.

      Spring is the most exciting time of year!
      ☀️🌺🌸🌼🌻🪷💐

  21. To be honest, I’m not particularly fond of abstract art, but these look wonderful! Something along the lines of: Paint and go wild!! Excellent post, my dear Resa.

    🤙🤗🌟🌹🎨

    1. I understand, Aladin. Abstract is not my fave, as well.
      However, the colours are so uplifting, it felt right to post this as a herald to spring.
      The winter was dark grey.
      Colour is about to explode!
      ☀️🌺🌸🌼🌻🪷💐

  23. Abstract is a great title for this collection. The opener was very interesting … love the use of geometrics. Two garage doors caught my eye – the 3 panels and the blue one with the geometrics down from it. Great collection, Resa!

    1. Thanks, and glad you enjoyed this blast of pre spring colour, Frank!
      There is not a lot of abstracts in the street art world.
      There is lots of “Writing” aka “Burners”. However, as abstract as they may look, they are names/signatures of sorts of graffiti artists.
      I knew one day I would have enough abstracts to make a post!
      Clink!

  27. Rebel art is a good label. You have found a lot of intriguing abstract artworks. With the first picture that included old and new art. I thought the heads were part of the design and message 😊

    1. Yeah! Love that “Rebel Art”.
      Thanks Robbie. I’ve collected abstracts for while. Finally I had enough pics and the right time presented itself.

      We’ve had a bit of good weather. I couldn’t control myself, and have over walked. My legs are angry.
      BUT, I found lots of art! 😸

        1. Ahh, I have some of that. I haven’t given ita fair shot, yet, as I use Salon Pas patches. They are quite good, but I need to put lots on! 🫶

  28. I often think of the ‘founders’ of abstract art and how their visions were rejected. I tell the story of Eric Carle as a teenager in Nazi Germany; his art teacher risked his life to show Carle abstract art – which changed Carle’s life.

  29. What a gallery you’ve gifted us Resa!

    I can get lost- and be exceedingly content in doing so- inside the abstract pieces such as these. They evoke so many questions and they leave me to come up with the answers, which I dig very much.

    Thank you for this thought provoking walk.

  30. These are all gorgeous, Resa, and you know what? I think abstract is how I’m feeling too these days. There are many layers: grief, frustration, fear, and always joy and gratitude. Anyway, I love all of these. Hugs, my friend xoxo

    1. Yay!
      Happy the colours brought you some positive feelings, Lauren.
      I too am having a mix of emotions. I’ve never experienced so many and some new ones at once.
      Abstract was the best I could come up with.

      Have a positive, albeit abstract, week.
      You are a very loved person!
      xoxoxo

  31. Hi Resa, nice trip with you on abstract street art. I really enjoy it. Abstract give artists the freedom to express their thoughts and feelings in a way that we talk to us at different levels. Sending you peace from France and take care!

  32. Hi Resa. Spectacular finds! I love the garage art and the mandela art best. Your angle shots are amazing. And I also love the word ‘abstract’ for feelings. Hugs ❤ xox ❤

  33. -grin- You and my sister-in-law would get on so well! Me, I like art that tells a story, a ‘recognizable’ story. That said, some of the pieces you’ve showcased are very striking, even to a Philistine like me. 🙂

  35. late to the party 🎉 and it’s a brilliant one. I like abstract art especially in wall art. This is wonderful artwork by gifted artists. Thank heavens for them and for gorgeous alley angels who find and share them with those who do not get to see them firsthand (me!)!

    adore you sweet Meece.
    xoxoxox

    1. Adore you too! xoxo🐭🐭xoxo

      I’m so excited to send the Joni pics!

      So happy you are getting around a bit. Yeah, so like the next walk I went on, I found a bunch more abstracts.

      My next post will be the Poetess post!

      I need to stay busy, or I’ll think too much!

      More love! 🌺❦🌹 xoxoxoxox

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