🎨 How to Move from Figurative to Abstract Art: My Honest Journey as a Mixed Media Artist
- Nimisha Doongarwal
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
🌱 Why I Wanted to Move from Figurative to Abstract Art
For years, I worked as a figurative mixed media artist, creating portraits and representational figures rooted in story, mythology, and layered textiles.
But with my latest series, She Isn’t a Metaphor, I felt the urge to push myself further. Could I move from figurative to abstract art while still exploring themes of resilience, transformation, and identity?
That question became the start of a difficult but transformative journey.
⚡ The Challenges of Moving from Figurative to Abstract Art
Like many artists transitioning from realism to abstraction, I discovered that the process is not simply about style, it’s about mindset.
When I first attempted abstraction, I created five small patchwork canvases. They looked interesting at first, but something was missing.
The biggest challenges I faced when trying to move from figurative to abstract art included:
😶 Loss of story – My abstract works felt decorative but empty.
😔 Lack of confidence – I found myself constantly seeking reassurance.
💬 Harsh feedback – A close friend told me they looked like a child had made them.
🚧 Creative block – Without narrative, I couldn’t connect emotionally to the work.
💥 Breaking Down in Order to Break Through
Frustrated, I literally tore apart the canvases... ripping, scratching, peeling away fabric and paper. It was destructive, but also clarifying.
The problem wasn’t technique. The problem was lack of connection.
I realized that unless I found an authentic story to tell, my abstract art would always feel hollow.
🔥 Finding Story Through Symbols
The breakthrough came when I reflected on women today; myself, my mother, and the women I admire.
I realized their qualities could be expressed through symbols of nature:
🌊 Waves → persistence
🔥 Fire → transformation
🕊 Birds → dreamers
🌸 Lotus → resilience
By using nature as metaphor, I was able to move from figurative to abstract art without losing meaning. I began layering, collaging, and texturing as I always do, but this time each piece carried a deeper story.
✨ Lessons Learned: How to Move from Figurative to Abstract Art
If you’re an artist wondering how to move from figurative to abstract art, here’s what I learned from the process:
🖌 Use your strengths. Bring your existing techniques (collage, layering, texture) into abstraction.
💡 Don’t abandon story. Abstract painting still needs emotional depth and meaning.
😅 Accept failure. You may lose canvases, confidence, and even sleep, but every failed attempt teaches you.
🌿 Symbols are powerful. Abstract art can express identity and resilience through metaphor.
❤️ Vulnerability fuels growth. Critique and self-doubt are painful, but they sharpen your vision.
🌟 The Final Results
Some of my works are stronger than others, but they all carry a voice I can stand behind.
For me, moving from figurative to abstract art wasn’t about style, it was about rediscovering trust, storytelling, and authenticity.
And yes, throughout this process, I leaned on AI 🤖 as a creative brainstorming partner, which helped me refine ideas when I felt stuck.
🗓 What’s Next: Series Launching Soon
These new abstract works will be part of She Isn’t a Metaphor, launching in November 2025.
👉 If you’re interested in collecting one of these new works, DM me directly or join my mailing list for early previews and collector updates.
💭 Final Thoughts
Learning how to move from figurative to abstract art taught me that the shift isn’t about abandoning representation, it’s about carrying your story into a new form.
Abstract or figurative, the question remains the same: Does your art carry your voice? comment below.
Sometimes the breakdown is what leads to the breakthrough.
🖼️ Let’s Stay Connected
Thanks for being here.
If this story resonated with you... I’d love to hear yours.
“This is where I come alive, and I’m so glad you’re here.”
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