Meaning: The quote by Milton Avery encapsulates the essence of his artistic philosophy and approach to creating art. Avery was an American modernist painter known for his distinctive style, which combined elements of abstraction and representation. In this quote, he articulates his intention to create a visual language that transcends specific subject matter, focusing instead on the interplay of shapes, spaces, and colors to establish unique relationships within the artwork. At the same time, Avery emphasizes the importance of capturing and translating the emotional impact and excitement that he experiences when encountering the original idea or inspiration for his work.

Avery's emphasis on constructing a picture with independent relationships of shapes, spaces, and colors, divorced from specific subject matter, reflects his interest in the formal elements of art. He sought to create compositions that were visually compelling in their own right, regardless of any representational content. This approach aligns with the broader modernist movement, which prioritized the exploration of form, color, and composition as primary vehicles of artistic expression.

By divorcing his work from explicit subject matter, Avery opens up the potential for viewers to engage with his art on a more subjective and emotive level. Without the constraints of recognizable objects or scenes, the viewer is invited to respond to the purely visual and emotional qualities of the artwork. This aligns with Avery's second point in the quote, where he expresses his desire to capture and translate the excitement and emotion aroused in him by the original idea. He seeks to convey the visceral impact of his inspiration, allowing viewers to connect with the emotive essence of the artwork.

Avery's approach to artmaking can be seen as a departure from the strict adherence to representation and naturalistic depiction that characterized traditional academic art. Instead, he embraces a more expressive and personal mode of artistic expression, prioritizing the evocative power of color, form, and composition. This approach resonates with the broader trajectory of modern art, which saw artists increasingly experimenting with abstraction and non-representational forms of expression.

In the context of Avery's own artistic practice, this quote sheds light on his commitment to distilling the essence of his experiences and emotions into visual form. His paintings often feature simplified and stylized forms, with a focus on bold color choices and dynamic compositions. Through this distinctive visual language, Avery invites viewers to share in his emotional responses to the world around him, whether it be the natural landscape, domestic scenes, or intimate moments of everyday life.

Overall, Milton Avery's quote encapsulates his dedication to creating art that transcends literal representation, instead seeking to evoke profound emotional and sensory experiences through the interplay of formal elements. His commitment to capturing the excitement and emotion of his original ideas underscores the deeply personal and expressive nature of his artistic vision, inviting viewers to engage with the raw essence of his creative inspiration.