In August 2012 I took an abstract workshop with Howard Ikemeoto who taught for many years in the art department of Cabrillo College. We were to paint anything we felt as long as it was considered abstract. Howard's contention is that abstract art will inform and influence your representational art. At the end of most days we would have a group critique to show and receive any feedback from Howard and the other students.
The spiritual lesson in this workshop for me was in the abundance of styles. Each person was utterly unique. Many artists struggle (me included) to find their representational style. But the fact of the matter is, that you can't escape your style. Each person on earth has a particular combination of DNA that truly makes them unique. As artists I think it is good for us to remember this and allow our art to come through that unique self. We are our own gift to the world. It is really fascinating to walk around a room of artists and see that uniqueness of each individual spirit and how it manifests through their art.