The Abstract Challenge (The Outstanding Artist - S3 E6)

The artists are treated to a night of traditional greek food and dancing. Then they are given a challenge to create a nonobjective abstract painting inspired by the beautiful dance and movement. Creating a well-done abstract painting is one of the most difficult paintings to create because you can ONLY rely on the elements of art. Which artist do you think will win this daunting challenge?
Check out the artists here (listed alphabetically):
Anna Bostrom - www.annabostromart.com/
Bri Fitzpatrick - brianalfitzpatrick.com/
Eva Bratopoulou - www.evabratopoulou.com/
Jessi Dahlquist - jessidoll.com/
Katrina Koltes - katrinakoltes.com/
Melissa Burghardt - www.melissaburghardt.com/
Naomi Jayne - naomijayneart.bigcartel.com/
Nicolette Van den Hadelkamp - nicolettefineart.com/
Ritika Aurora - ritikaaurorafineart.com/
Tarana Labuche - labuche.art/
Tanya Aubut - www.tanyaaubut.com/
Tanya Johnston - tanyajohnstonart.com/
Zybrena Porter - www.zybrena.com/
Connect with the judges:
Dimitra Milan - www.dimitramilan.com
Elli Milan - www.ellimilan.com
John Milan - www.djfreezyj.com
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[@michelecarroll8168]

As an artist of 30 years, it would’ve been nice to see these women learn the rules of abstract art. It’s not just a willy-nilly way of painting without any structure. There is very much a complex structure with a good abstract painting. It would also be nice to see these beginning. Artists learn different techniques from different styles and different artists. That way they can hone their bag of tricks and tools and find their individual style. I feel like they all have the same style because they are all learning from one artist

[@supportpatriarchyordietrying]

that't just an excuse to claim there is some thought behind an abstract. but in reality it actually is just willy nilly.

[@paintingsofwaves_mikewoning]

Finally. Finally not a portrait (but still clearly part of the Milan institute way of working). This obviously being the backgrounds of their type of art. I'm still on the fence with this series: I'm not a fan of the type of art that is being made nor how art is being made into a competition. We're always told: don't compare yourself to other artists and here we are doing exactly that. Anyway my main irk is that it feels too much like this is all for the sake of advertising for the Milan Institute courses. That said, the series still draws me in and I'll probably watch to the end.

[@DonJuvet]

I agree.

[@katella]

Not a very good advertisement. These paintings are all consistently bad, trite, hokey and ugly. I'm sick of all the dolphins, butterflies, rainbows, doves and other cornball images. Can they not rise above the level if 11year Old girls?

[@paintingsofwaves_mikewoning]

@katella I think that's a bit harsh. I know one of the contestants and she's not only super friendly but she also can really paint! And i think that goes for the others as well. These ladies can paint but they're doing what they were taught (and what is said to sell). I think that to make what the M.I. calls 'sellable art' you have to make it easy, spectacular and with a number of icons (female torso, lion, dolphin, butterfly). Like I said, not my type of art but each to their own...and if they're selling, they're doing better than I am...

[@d.regalia7919]

I totally agree with you. I hate these competitions which are so subjective to everyone's feelings. It's not like they're competing in a math contest or spelling bee. I think they all won and I love each painting for itself. They were all absolutely beautiful. I didn't agree with some of the critiques but, again, it all depends on what you would buy and what you would love to look at time and again. These artists did exceptionally well.

[@brendaarmstrong9222]

When is the next show?

[@GrumpetteJV]

I absolutely love how Tanya aproaches painting. All this need for a meaning gets old really fast. Not everything needs to be deep or spiritual to be good.

[@dkpeters]

And dreams....I'm one of the lucky ones I guess. I dream about water in my basement or a tooth falling out. Doesn't quite inspire any art for me. LOL~

[@tanyaaubut]

🥰🥰

[@dtyl59]

I’m just amazed by how calm these people are when being criticized. They are in a competition, but they support each other.

[@gimmeachance7059]

Weird ! Zabrina's is my favorite even😢though what they say. For me it is outstanding from far. It is eye catching. No need to give more oil layers to this art. It is perfect how it is. Period. It looks like new wave, new energy painting, new school, not old school.

[@mosaicartwmichaelmonreaux1911]

Even the person standing next to her when they said was eliminated was SHOCKED 😮….. honestly Jessi should have been eliminated this round

[@azmgbbb]

Uggg! Just let them create. These were the best paintings so far. Stop trying to make them yours.

[@DOF-bl7cv]

I think a SECOND judging of putting the paintings into a local gallery for a week and then letting the locals decide which is their favorite in each category. I felt that Jessi was saved in this challenge based on the original comments of the judges when this competition (first episode) started and how they talked her up. Love seeing the artwork, but not liking the way this art is judged.

[@mosaicartwmichaelmonreaux1911]

Exactly Jessi was the weakest this round !!

[@michellejacobs5072]

Please show the artwork longer?

[@carlajones2169]

I’m interested in buying Sabrina’s art piece.

[@charlied415]

I'm just hoping when everything's said and done everybody gets to take their overalls home. I have no idea why I feel strongly about that. Additionally, I'm really glad that they have the redemptive challenge. I think that's great. Two of the abstracts that were done that contestants who were eliminated were really my favorites. They were gorgeous.

[@milanartapp]

Not a spoiler because it isn’t shown on camera but everyone got to keep their overalls👌🏼

[@charlied415]

@@milanartapp yay! 🎉Thank you for letting me know! 🥰

[@lizevandeven7904]

I really enjoy watching this! Lovely to see/hear how the artist value the community they have formed, support each other, feeling understood, having the openess.. so precious and touching.

[@yhoshuagutierrez8390]

Imagine the judges of the competition being a mother father and daughter. It’s very much giving corruption lol. They should have a panel of judges that do different styles. The judges are a family and do all the same style.

[@cjellisgeo]

Yes! I really don’t like the family aspect either, nepotism at its finest.

[@artbysheebastudio]

I really loved Melissa's artwork...very grounded but fiery n tasteful....and the kind that I would put up on my wall as Elli mentioned....very sellable

[@jenferris6879]

I am in shock...i think that was defintly the wrong choice...i think jessi should of lost this challange...

[@cenara.artist]

Bri's painting! 😍 🔥 OmG! ❤

[@janinafisher101]

I really felt that this challenge brought out a different dimension of these artists. Abstract art is really, really difficult to do well, and I enjoyed seeing how they interpreted the challenge. I probably liked Ritika's painting most, before she added the strips of drips that Dimitra commented on. I did agree with Dimitra that I thought the eliminated artists' work was some of the best. Art competitions always have some degree of subjectivity in judging, so whether we agree with the outcome or not, it was just really good to see all the ideas that came forth from these artists, and I am guessing that it made them grow and learn about themselves.

[@heatherwilliams5384]

Don't agree with the judges with this episode. Jesse was the weakest. Sabrina was one of the best in this competition. Sad not to see her artwork 😢

[@silenthunterart5111]

Agree completely Jesse’s abstract was hideous Zabrena created a more appealing image

[@adelekanfortune520]

Beautiful set up. Weldone to the organiser

[@jayneal8650]

Another amazing challenge.

[@Firestarter.999]

Jessie, certainly has a style. Every painting looks the same.

[@marielynch2858]

Exactly who are these 'experts'? The critiques are embarrassing!!

[@supportpatriarchyordietrying]

they're successful longtime artists

[@katalinelo8011]

I just don't get the point of painting outside if the end result has nothing to do with the view oe the surroundings at all. They could have produced the exact same in a studio. Also I don't see how any of these artists would be outstanding. It's all the same. I can't tell them apart. I could be one person's Instagram profile. I really hoped so much more for this show. And if all the eliminated people can come back and compete in the end, what's the point of elimination at all? They just could have given out points for each challenge and add up in the end.

[@maryy9524]

I like the overall idea of the show, it is also a very nice concept to gather different people at different levels in one challenge. However, as other people have already pointed out as well, and as someone who has actually been in a professional Art school, the judges should NOT be all from one family. Not to mention, there is clearly a very strong influence and everyone has a very similar style, using same techniques and trying to copy what has been proven to be successful and that is the Milan family style. I would suggest, should you guys decide to do this again with Season 2, have *ONE* person from the Milan family as a judge and get other artists (maybe a room for collaboration here, or other teachers from the Milan art institute, although that would be biased too, but not as much) and maybe Eli and Dimitra can be as mentors there, or they could continue the mid-session feedback. But the way it currently is, everyone trying their best to impress the Milans who have all similar style, almost the same at times, is not professional. You talk a lot about variation and experimenting with new things, yet there is little encouragement when it comes to topics, colour scheme and materials. So in the end, even in this episode where there were no female faces for a change, still there was a distinct type of expression style. Just honest feedback from an artist myself. There is a lot of good and I hope you will take this with open mind, I would love to see future series of such challenges.

[@cloudsofsunset7323]

Very valid criticism, as in content and form all correct. However, I also think that... it's a similar method when you compete in art school contests. Take for example the contest of the saloons of Paris in the neoclassical era. Anyone who was not strictly academicist would be eliminated. And also in a way the same thing happen in art schools all over the world. To resume, your opinion is really valid but you missed to understand is not a general art contest, is the art contest in the Milan art school with it's own phylosophy and understanding of art. After saying this, I do agree it would be VERY benefitial for the next seasons to include other teachers.

[@maryy9524]

Also a good point, I respect that. Overall, I think art schools have progressed a little bit over the years. The one I was in, still followed the classic academical curriculum but only so that you can learn the base and have a solid foundation. Once you had that foundation, which was after year two in that school, you are allowed to branch off and work on developing your own flare and style. There was also a lot of encouragement throughout my time to try any material, technique, size, topic, expression style etc. to find what speaks to you, so to say. I agree this is still a context exclusively organised by the Milans and I would still love to see some more variety, just to put a spin off from the current style. Lately I see Dimitra's progression and I dare to say, simply by seeing some of her latest works, there is a change and levelling up from the usual female heads mixed with animals and landscapes. But of course, what is good art for me may not be good for somebody else. Art is meant to be seen, to be felt and experienced. Thank you for the nice reply! @@cloudsofsunset7323

[@user-fm8jt9gf6y]

When one of the eliminated contestant's art becomes world famous and all art becomes priceless, this can happen, all art is priceless in the eyes of its behold and the one with the dollar..so no one should take the judges words as a foundational rule... just be true to yourself ❤thats my professional opinion..they may say you paint bad but i was taught asa teacher to not control the outcome of anothers art but to encourage their feelings to come out and guide them with understanding.. it's a very fine line when you are a judging to not getting caught up in putting yoursignature on someone elses painting, i never liked when people do that. Art is expressions of a personal experience. . however if they are doing it for marketing well then i can understand that..but still stay aware of the words you use in critique.

[@tiffanyshiels1910]

All great

[@danielmarlatt3574]

what to say about abstract art , some people hate it , some love it , some don't get it , however with abstract it does trigger the subconscious mind and emotion , thank you for another episode and always look forward to the next.

[@sanetjonker5183]

Wrong choice..😢

[@LuGam-vf1yi]

I do not understand how this judging is unbiased. they are a family of three, so of course they are going to have the same kind of belief and opinions about the art. where is the outsider unbiased Judge for this. this is very unfair and not how judging art is REALLY done.

[@azmgbbb]

I agree. I wish they had other judges or let the locals vote. Their choices really mean very little.

[@paintingsofwaves_mikewoning]

I'd be guessing but I believe there's a logical reason for this.

[@hannahwillis9838]

They actually all have pretty different preferences when it comes to art. The dad enjoys thick, textured, bold art. The mom enjoys structured abstract with variety, along with bold risk (I’ve also noticed she prefers more sensible maximalism). And the daughter likes subtly and minimalism, leaning towards the wispy side of things. When it comes to objective painting they obviously all expect the same thing since it’s fundamental work, but besides that I think they all just want paintings that make sense.

[@cloudsofsunset7323]

​@@hannahwillis9838I do agree, they all three have clear preferences

[@millmallory]

I think that their opinions are varied. And they don’t have a problem disagreeing with one another. And I’m sure all the contestants understood what they were getting into.

[@cloudsofsunset7323]

It is fascinating to me how in one episode they either have a bad day or simply time failed them and they are automatically eliminated. That's the preassure of art contests I guess. But I also find it such a good idea that those eliminated still get a chance to continue working alongside and hopefully in the future redeem themselves... I guess it also makes it so exciting, you never know if someone who was eliminated could be potentially the winner. I am so hooked to the contest, specially because you can sense there is a general good vibe and understanding between contestants even tho you can tell the preassure and stress.

[@marcellasmith8942]

I notice there is alot of shade around yet they are standing in the hot sun complaining for the heat, are they not allowed to be in the shade??? It seems like that, why would they have to do that?

[@milanartapp]

The artists were allowed to move into the shade but they were focused, and as the position of the sun was moving, they didn’t want to continue moving.

[@LeoliCat]

​@@milanartapp You could have provided shade for the whole area?

[@mikem3789]

Katrina is a star 🤩 Jessi is a very ‘colorful artist, as it seems most recognized and appreciate 🤩, Bri is also very talented, 🤩. each of the female artists are talented artists, it seems the top three could be them.

[@melissaanowai9419]

❤❤❤❤

[@anjilala]

I liked Zabrinas. Don't listen to the judges lol.

[@allisonjames2923]

I love Katrina’s, Melissa’s & Bri’s most. I feel like Katrina’s captures the movement of a circle dance with little steps making up a current of movement. And Bri’s dichotomy of structured movement feels like “the rules of the dance” compared to the motion which feels like the interpretation of it. And Melissa’s just feels like the feeling of music to me - plus I just love that style. I keep looking back at Bri’s though

[@carolejameson4238]

Where do you get the reference photo that you copy from The portraits are very advanced?

[@jillnolan6718]

Love this episode and loved all these paintings. I also liked seeing what the artists who had been eliminated were painting. I’m a fan of abstract. It was fun to see what each artist made.

[@drawrobot]

Melissa’s is obviously the winner. When I do a piece like this, three hours is one pass. Overall, I’d tell the artists to avoid so much splatter. Two or three more sessions, a couple of these could have been fixed. Much bigger brushes or squeegees even could have balanced them out on the marks.

[@cath.lamontagne5357]

Fun...but why are there no male participants? Just wondering...not criticizing.

[@be4realz]

If there is any judging to be made, i think viewer's should be judging and voting as well. I think these judges are bias based on their own personal technique

[@millmallory]

All judges are biased, to some degree, based on likes and dislikes.

[@PaulaakaPaben]

Wow! My least Favorite was the 2nd one, My Favorites, were Bri's and Katrina's also loved Anna's! To me Non Object Painting is the Background of A real Painting, It is not called Abstract!! Abstract means object that have been skewed or stretched out of shape!

[@crisarriola5183]

I love Dimitri hair in this shoots you look amazing❤

[@gimmeachance7059]

...shorts not shoots.

[@crisarriola5183]

@@gimmeachance7059 I love her hair in the photo shoot

[@crisarriola5183]

@@gimmeachance7059 what are you talking about ?.. You are confuse 😜😳

[@gimmeachance7059]

@@crisarriola5183 Sorry ! I guess it was not funny...😅

[@BlackMagickMike]

What Black person couldn't predicted this. The Ancestors already told me when I saw the line up. Exactly why I don't fool with d'wights unnecessarily.

[@BirdieBarleyGolf]

agree.. all white judges, and a white panel of participants and she’s the one eliminated?

[@mosaicartwmichaelmonreaux1911]

And it was truly undeserving at this point. Her painting wasn’t the weakest In this round

[@BirdieBarleyGolf]

it doesn’t escape me that all the judges are white, and all the contestants are white, and the only one eliminated is the black woman. Honestly, I think her peace was one of the best compositions.

[@rionholdtonceandfutureboat8947]

Yes, her peace spoke volumes (and true beauty)…especially when it seemed that Anna was expecting dismissal.

[@anitasmith7764]

The more I watch this show the more it irritates me. Not at all bc of the artists. But the baking in the sun (as usual) the judges telling them what THEY way to see. Stupid. Really. Every judge ever will say something different so they need to hush. They wanted abstract and then say it needs this and that. The judges shouldn’t have an input

[@katalinelo8011]

Yeah, that part sounds like a lesson in art school where the teachers are going round and tell the pupils how to execute the things they explained in the beginning. They always say everyone has their own style (which is absolutely not showing through this program), but then they discourage every individual choice and keep telling them what they want to see. So it's not about painting what they want but what would please the taste of the jury. Who only reward things that resemble their own stuff. Absolutely a wtf in an art competition.

[@CappPeterson]

Unfortunately the paintings show very little creativity…all seem to be by the same artist. Not sure why these ladies all paint alike.

[@samcollage7682]

There is something almost "cultist" about this art "institute". Very insular ideas, methods, and outcome. It seems a participant must be christian and must have overcome trauma in the past. Art-making is essential to a lot of us. The anatomy of most of the figures (except Jesse) is atrocious and pitiful. These are graduates from a very costly art program. Almost all the art is derivative and formulaic. Sorry, only watching just to see how weird it can get.

[@daveg4633]

I think the judging is not conducted in a practical way for the artists. I think all the artists should do a series of paintings to present to the judges I think no one should be eliminated until all the art is presented in a final statement of their abilities. I think it's completely wrong to instill fear into the Artist as they're trying to create and express themselves. I think there would be a much greater interest in these kind of shows without all the drama to the artists

[@mosaicartwmichaelmonreaux1911]

Jessi was the weakest in this round and we all know it. Also they preach about other artist using the same color palette but she has the same neon green plaid color story in everything. I respect her style as an artist but this round was her time to go.

[@majak.t.135]

bla bla bla

[@cynthiamarston2208]

Most abstract art is not good.

[@bodyofhope]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I found this challenge much more interesting than the others. The other art was very predictable. Painting portraits of women, animals and fairies was all we saw. Finally we're seeing a real challenge and some variation.

[@cynthiamarston2208]

@@bodyofhope there is that aspect. Some of it is remarkable