ARTIST STATEMENT & BACKGROUND:
The idea of chaos and calm–balance–is an overarching theme of much of my work.
In addition to the general theme mentioned above, growth and time have very much inspired my paintings and ceramics work, especially in the last year. My work is abstract in style and often incorporate organic patterns, water references, and plant-like imagery. I'm not tied to a formula though and pursue more defined imagery when certain ideas surface for me. The series of heads and skulls paintings are examples of that. As an artist, I find myself constantly striving for an image or object that feels "right." It needs to have complexity, but elegance at the same time. I have moments when I love graphic imagery and moments when I just crave a giant scraped or smeared surface. I love painting. I love color. I love a good mash up of it all.
I grew up in northern Michigan surrounded by water and then Indiana surrounded by corn. I spent five years in Cleveland, Ohio ogling faded industrial buildings and their layers of peeling paint. While there I received a BFA in Painting at Cleveland Institute of Art. Afterward I lived for two years in Santa Fe, New Mexico with my head glued to each evening's sunset: just beautiful. Since then I've lived in Portland, Oregon.
I am a painter, an artist, a maker. I teach. I talk. I listen. I love painting because it is powerful. It makes me want to live a life with open eyes and a ready heart. Hopefully you'll feel the same when viewing my work.
Sincerely,
Carson Abbert
The idea of chaos and calm–balance–is an overarching theme of much of my work.
In addition to the general theme mentioned above, growth and time have very much inspired my paintings and ceramics work, especially in the last year. My work is abstract in style and often incorporate organic patterns, water references, and plant-like imagery. I'm not tied to a formula though and pursue more defined imagery when certain ideas surface for me. The series of heads and skulls paintings are examples of that. As an artist, I find myself constantly striving for an image or object that feels "right." It needs to have complexity, but elegance at the same time. I have moments when I love graphic imagery and moments when I just crave a giant scraped or smeared surface. I love painting. I love color. I love a good mash up of it all.
I grew up in northern Michigan surrounded by water and then Indiana surrounded by corn. I spent five years in Cleveland, Ohio ogling faded industrial buildings and their layers of peeling paint. While there I received a BFA in Painting at Cleveland Institute of Art. Afterward I lived for two years in Santa Fe, New Mexico with my head glued to each evening's sunset: just beautiful. Since then I've lived in Portland, Oregon.
I am a painter, an artist, a maker. I teach. I talk. I listen. I love painting because it is powerful. It makes me want to live a life with open eyes and a ready heart. Hopefully you'll feel the same when viewing my work.
Sincerely,
Carson Abbert