Create! Magazine is excited to share an exclusive interview with the winner of the most recent Emerging Woman Artist Award presented by Arts to Hearts Project, Carrie Pearce.
Carrie Pearce was born in Peoria, IL in 1969. She has been drawing and painting as long as she can remember. She attended the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, where she graduated with honors. Her paintings can be described as imaginary realism. Carrie's work has been exhibited in solo, group and art fair shows both nationally and internationally. She is a "Living Artist" with the Art Renewal Center, a website dedicated to revival of realism in fine art. Her work has also been featured in Fine Art Connoisseur, "When artists paint themselves".
Tell us about your background. How did you first get your start as an artist?
I started my art career in a studio at City Market in Savannah, Georgia, selling floral paintings to locals and tourists.
How has your style evolved over the years?
Interestingly, my art has circled back to its origins. I began as a watercolor artist during my illustration studies, then ventured into mixed media for fun. After opening my studio to the public, I sold acrylic and watercolor paintings of flowers and gardens. Over time, I experimented with colorful, abstract figures and later, oil paints, inspired by old Victorian photos and the techniques of the old masters. The challenge of COVID and returning to school for my master’s made me revisit old ideas. I experimented with found objects and loved it. Now, I’m exploring new mediums like sewing, wood carving, and metal, with the process guiding my work.
What excites you about assemblage and the body of work you've been focusing on most recently?
The endless possibilities of assemblage excite me. Blending different mediums is challenging but rewarding, as it brings new perspectives to my work.
Is there one piece of advice you've found most useful in your career as an artist?
Artist Preston Jackson advised, “Always be changing, don’t get stuck in something you can’t get out of,” which has been invaluable advice in my career.
What's coming up for you in 2024?
I feel I’m on the brink of a new phase in my work, exploring new mediums and processes. I have several shows lined up for 2024 in cities including New Orleans, Denver, Philadelphia, and Austin.
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Alicia Puig has been a contributing writer for Create! Magazine since 2017. Find more of her work here: www.aliciapuig.com
