© Nick Dwyer 2002, size unknown, acrylic, emulsion and watercolour on board From the Artist: I paint in a process sort of manner. Arms, brushes, hands and paint. The marks are the composition, the colours very strong but within a small pallette to focus the mind. The suggestion of a land or seascape comes afterwards with the title. My influences are obviously abstract expressionists from the 50's and 60's my particular favourite being Franz Kline. My query is ... is it any good?

From the Painting Guide: My favourite part of this painting is the bottom right-hand corner where the paint goes off the edge; to me it feels like emotion escaping or out of control. This doesn't really fit with the title, but then art is about making a connection with a viewer, whether it's the one the artist intended or not. I did ponder on the title, and decided it could be a pile of sticks and weed collected from a seashore or light on the water (though this would be horizontal) to me. There's a bit too much white in it for me, hiding the blues at the back; if the blue had come through more, it would be as if it were the sea washing over the 'stuff'.

Things to consider:
• What is 'good'?: 'Good' can mean so many things. It could be that it epitomises a particular painting school. Or that it breaks convention. Or that viewers respond to it emotionally and intellectually. Or it could be that it's a saleable image. It certainly qualifies as an abstract or Abstract Expressionist painting.
• Title: 'Stuff' is perhaps too vague and bland to add an emotional element if the intention is for the title to guide the viewer in their interpretion. However, if the title is a pun it certainly should allow the viewer to 'see' stuff.