Over the winter break, I created several abstract acrylic paintings that I've had printed onto note cards. The paintings were the fun and easy part for me; it was much more difficult coming up with names to be printed on the back. The trouble with naming a piece of art, jewelry, or story is not a new problem for me. When working as an editor back in 2009, I asked a jewelry magazine editor to write about How To Name Your Jewelry Projects. (Her tips are still relevant today.) With essays and articles, I've been a little less concerned about figuring out the perfect title because I'm working with editors and other professionals where the final title is a joint responsibility. (I have my book editor to thank for the brilliant title of my book, Unexpected Findings.). Naming abstract paintings, however, was new territory for me.
Should You Name Your Abstract Art?
Before you start fussing with names, consider whether or not your project requires a name at all. If you sell your work online, you know that SEO (Search Engine Optimization) does not require thoughtful names, as it relies on matching the searcher's terms exactly. Most people will use very general words to search: abstract art, black and white painting, long gold necklace, size 6 ring. Most of my jewelry that I sell online uses similar general terms and that works fine.
One of the arguments against naming your work is that by naming it you reduce your potential audience. Artist Cheryl Kellar wrote about this beautifully with several examples, noting "If I am inspired or fascinated by a painting and discover that the title is 'Life is Suffering and Then You Die a Gruesome Death' -- well, I can't see the painting as I first saw it. That's kind of sad to admit, but I just can't get back to the love I first felt."
At the same time, I think it's a common fallacy to believe that your work should appeal to everyone. Instead of viewing names as a way to limit your audience, why not see names as a way to strongly connect with a very specific audience? Social media is all about personal connections, which is quite different from the "match specific words" operations of large search engines like Google. It's possible that by choosing the right name you'll strike a much stronger, longer-lasting emotional cord with potential customers than you would by choosing something bland and safe.
If you're still worried about names limiting your audience, remember that it's possible to convey a range of meanings and connection with multiple audiences with a single name. For example, one of my cards is a black and white abstract that I've named "Fossil Creek." This is a specific place near my home. I'm betting few people will recognize it as such, but I think the name will still appeal to those who like nature, fishing, archaeology, or even the symbolism of uncovering a hidden treasure from the past.
From a practical standpoint, naming pieces, especially abstract paintings, makes it possible to discuss your work with others. Imagine having to say "that black-and-white painting, no, not that one, not that one, the other one" in discussing your work with a potential customer.
When Is The Best Time To Name Your Art?
Is it better to have a name in mind before you start or should you wait until you're finished to name it?
This seems like a personal preference and in my experience can vary from piece to piece. Sometimes I'll have a title in mind before I begin. This was the case with the America postcard I made. I deliberately wanted to work only with the U.S. flag colors red, white, and blue. While the exact final image was not tightly controlled (you can only do so much with paint dripping off a canvas), I did know that I wanted to convey something about the United States and how things weren't as strictly divided into neat lines of red and blue as you might think from reading the news. I love that there's so much purple, and was delighted and surprised by the bit of pink that popped up. By leaving the name as simply "America" I'm not necessarily pointing the viewer to any particular conclusion. I'm betting that viewers will be either horrified or delighted at how my image does not or does match with their feelings of that word.
Other times I will still be struggling with potential names after the work is complete. Here are some of the ways I brainstorm possible names:
What Are Some Common Ways To Name Your Abstract Art?
Place Names
I knew when creating this blue and white piece that I wanted to evoke ocean waves. Since I ended up visiting California twice in 2018, I decided to name the piece California Coast. The wonderful thing about place names is that you can choose how specific you'd like to be, maximizing the number of possible names. I could have gone with something more vague ("Ocean") or more specific ("Laguna Beach").
Simple Descriptions
If your image hints at specific objects or scenes, those could be possible names. Some artists favor this approach as it gives the item a name, but not any emotional baggage. My green and blue canvas looked to me like it had colorful slices of agate on it, so I used the name Amethyst and Agate.
Emotions
One of the fun parts of doing this kind of abstract painting is that what you see when the painting is wet is not necessarily what you'll see when it's dry. On this painting, I was surprised by the little blue heart that showed up in the corner. I hadn't been using blue paint as part of my palette, but I suppose I might have worked with a brush that wasn't quite clean. It feels a little lonely to me, but maybe to others it's a heart of resilience bursting through when you thought it had been beaten down. "Blue" is one of those words that can mean sad, so the descriptive title "Blue Heart" does give this piece a tinge of sadness.
Future Viewer
Sometimes I name items in thinking about the kind of person who might be drawn to such a piece. That's the case with Smoke and Champagne which turned out to be a much subtler, sophisticated piece than what I had planned. I had thought that creating with the metallic silver and gold paints that I would end up with a bold party-type piece, but the end result was much different. This sophisticated note card set makes me think of an older wealthy man with his cigars and fine liquor. (Yes, I have been watching the Gilmore Girls and this does feel like the kind of stationery that Richard Gilmore -- or more likely, his executive assistant -- might use to pen notes to Very Important People.)
Quotations
Quotations or idioms can often provide fodder for potential names. You do not have to use a quote in full for it to be effective. I knew in creating this green painting that I wanted to convey a sense of luck for a potential St. Patrick's Day tie-in. I came across a relevant quote from A Streetcar Named Desire: "Luck is believing you're lucky." I used just the beginning of the phrase "Luck Is Believing" for this note card.
More Ideas
Need more ideas for painting titles? U.K. artist Tara Leaver created a wonderful printable list of 23 painting title ideas.