Artist of the Month February 2013

Carmen Cartiness Johnson

San Antonio, TX

I create art because I enjoy it. I think art should be fun. Art doesn’t always need to deliver a message. Art should not require the viewer to have academic education in order to understand a work. I think art should break boundaries and challenge rules. I am painting things I see in the world. I like the human figure and story telling. Painting images that speak to the challenges and joys human beings face on daily basis. The subject matter I choose is based on my past, how and where I grew up as well as the places I travel daily. Ideas can come from a phrase in a song, poems, proverbs, as well as novels and movies. I like off beat subject matter. My ultimate goal is to give the viewer situations in which they can relate. The challenging part is getting the image from my mind to the canvas. I work primarily with acrylic paint I had a residency at Rutgers Center for Print and Paper in 2005. During my residency I worked with the Master Printer and together we created “The Get Together” an adaptation of my original painting “Chit Chat and Apple Martini’s.” The result of the Rutgers residency was the work entitled “The Get Together” that was acquired by the Library of Congress in 2006 and is in the collections of nine museums around the state of New Jersey. My piece “Too Many Cooks” was published in “Looking Out, Looking In” an interpersonal textbook by Adler/Proctor/Towne. In addition, Pomegranate Press has published four images of my work in the form of note cards.

How and when did you start creating art?

I started paintings in the eighties I wanted artwork for my new home. The first painting was done from a photograph of my grandmother bending over petting her dog. I added a house, a flower garden and a fence in the background. The piece was very raw.

What media and genres do you work in?

I am an acrylic figurative painter, I prefer acrylics for its ease of use and brilliance of color. My work is narrative, I want the viewer to able to place themselves in the situations of the figures. I occasionally do a large landscape or abstract piece. Works on paper would include charcoal, collages and acrylic.

Who or what are your influences?

Jacob Lawrence, Diego Rivera, and Japanese Erotic Art great story tellers, simple patterns and shapes. Romare Bearden. I like pop and comic book art.

What was your inspiration for TO THE MOON AND BACK BEFORE SLEEPY TIME?

Inspiration for TO THE MOON AND BACK BEFORE SLEEPY TIME” was own memory of building a cardboard space ship dashboard. Although, the art work’s dashboard is considerately more complex than the one my brother and I constructed. Also helping my children with their inventions, experiments and art projects.

Describe your creative process?

I don’t sketch a lot I usually write out ideas rather than sketching. Sometimes the ideas lead to a short story. Then it’s a matter of choosing canvas size and positioning the shapes on the canvas.

What are you working on currently?

On easel is a 16” x 40” piece titled “MAN TO MAN’’ A man and a young boy discussing the facts of life. I’m also working on a pictorial of my work.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

Improve and expand my commercial appeal domestic and international while maintaining my artistic integrity and character. Increasing my presence in print media selling online.

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?

My paintings can be viewed on http://www.carmencartinessjohnson.com/. To purchase a painting, or print, my email address is: carmencja1@yahoo.com. Phone number: 1 609 902 1598. Acrylic and charcoal works on paper can be viewed at http://www.CarmenCartinessJohnson.crevado.com. I also post newly finished pieces on Facebook.