Abstract Art In Spite Of Ourselves

Art has a way of speaking in colors and shapes where words fall short, and in this latest abstract composition, love takes center stage. Inspired by the timeless John Prine song In Spite of Ourselves, this work captures the playful persistence of love—the kind that endures quirks, imperfections, and all.

In Spite of Ourselves: A Visual Ode To My Love

At the heart of the piece, two figurative forms—a man and a woman—face one another, their presence strong yet fluid. They are not defined by rigid lines but by movement and suggestion, embodying how relationships live in the spaces between certainty and imagination. The vibrant, interlocking shapes and layers of color evoke a dialogue: a push and pull of individuality and unity intertwined.

In Spite Of Ourselves ©2026 Eric Wells Hatheway

The title of this piece carries a deeply personal resonance for the artist and his wife, for whom this song has become a tender emblem of their journey together. In the same way Prine’s lyrics speak with humor and honesty about love’s imperfect perfection, this piece reflects the joy and resilience found in a shared love and a shared life.

Through abstraction, the painting invites viewers to see themselves in the dance of two figures, to feel the warmth of connection that persists—yes—in spite of ourselves.