Works on Paper: Carolyn Cole

Art has always occupied a significant place in my life. The creative process is a fusion of the life experience which combines emotional content, observation, technical skill, exploration, humor, and reinvention - in a way that is tangible and immensely satisfying.

For me, Painting is a passion. I love to create surfaces that are visually intriguing and mysterious, with expressive colors and shapes. Each of my paintings has many layers of paint. I begin each one on canvas or paper, painting on thin collaged papers over and over, continuing until a rich texture emerges. I use acrylic paints, gouache, pencils, and charcoal. I also work with copies of old handwritten letters, pages from old books, and found objects, all as collage elements under the painted surfaces. I paint over the images, obstructing much of the text and communication. Scraping the surface with a palette knife to reveal the layers underneath, I then paint into exposed areas. By building up layers of paint and collage, the paintings become infused with a cultural history, at the same time allowing the viewer to create a personal history.

This series of paintings reveals the introspective part of my personality. Each one is inspired by its collaged elements and the layers from my past and present. I hope that they reflect my desire to paint and my intense need to create work that expresses that desire.

Carolyn Cole also works on canvas. Please see her gallery artist page for more examples of her work.

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