Abstraction has long been a concept difficult to define for students. Students often feel the pressure of making their artwork "look real" and frustration can often lead to burnout in the classroom. In this article, the author describes how her lesson on abstraction has alleviated much of that pressure as students created an abstract acrylic painting using the heart shape as a jumping-off point. Though many of the hearts are unrecognizable, the paintings are alive with color, movement, and texture. Students were able to grasp the concept of abstraction and have a successful painting experience with new media.