Dear Mrs. Artwitty,

Some of the artists I like the most are called Expressionists. What does that mean? What is it about their art that makes me want to see more and to try to understand more about what they are trying to do?

I am just . . .
Wondering

Dear Wondering,

Some of the artists I like the most are called Expressionists. What does that mean? What is it about their art that makes me want to see more and to try to understand more about what they are trying to do? I am just . . .

Expressionist artists use exaggeration and distortion to express emotions. You (the viewer) often feel the emotional effect of the artwork. It might make you feel fear, horror, sadness or joy, pleasure, outrage, or any number of emotions. That is probably what draws you to these works of art.

Artists achieve these emotional effects by using intense, vivid color and visible, violent brushstrokes. The scene is distorted, primitive or fantastical. Space is often disjointed and may not make sense. Primarily, the artist wants to express emotion, inner reality and feelings, rather than the reality you would see with your eyes. Trying to show what is more real to the artist makes the art feel more authentic and intense and draws the viewer to feel the same emotions. You have expressed your question very well.

Thank you for writing!
    Mrs. Artwitty