CAROLYN IS AN AUSTRALIAN ARTIST
Carolyn in her 1970’s home featuring some of her much loved mid century modernist collection and her dramatic artwork as the back drop.
My Artist Journey
After being inspired by a mural at my son’s kindergarten, I decided to attend local art classes.
Picking up a paint brush was a pivotal moment. It felt like something within me had been unlocked.
A creative awakening; I have been painting ever since.
Prior to commencing my painting practice I was a psychiatric nurse.
What I have come to realize is the pivotal role that creativity plays in mental health and well being. Particularly the opportunity for self expression in whatever form that takes.
Self expression is at the forefront of my work. I seek to communicate a visual dialogue.
The emotional application of paint and colour is the essence of abstract expressionism.
Artist Statement
Paying homage to the early abstract expressionist painters from the New York School such as De Kooning, Pollock, Motherwell and Kline is essential as their work initially inspired me in this direction. Amongst others they were the pioneers of this avant garde movement paving the way for artists such as myself and are a continual influence in my work.
Each piece begins with stream of conscious mark making which soon build up into layers. The oil paint glides onto the canvas when combined with medium. Both opacity and transparency weave through, interact and intersect.
Passages of paint transition from one mark to the next. Whilst scratches and scrapings indent the surface revealing the layers beneath. In some areas the paint is given space to drip and meld into form.
Despite these initial marks and layers, most pieces are dismantled and rebuilt. This editing process of addition and subtraction strengthens it's construction and serves to unify the work.