Fall on the Rocks, Painting, Oil on Canvas, 2022

Carrie Martin  

Artist Statement:

“Expansive landscapes, the infinite horizon and amazing big sky have informed who I am as a person and an artist. I also embody a 'don't fence me in' ethic that allows me a sense of freedom, inspired by the Great American West. I have a deep connection to the wild places of the American West, epitomized in the grandeur that is Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. 

I also have a driving desire to keep wild places, wild, while sharing the fragile beauty of secret places with others inclined to be as thrilled as I am, by untamed beauty. I am currently working on a Red Rocks of Colorado series. I keep the series fresh by capturing dramatic rock formations at various times of day, along with the changes reflected by the four seasons on the Red Rocks of Colorado.

The joy I've discovered outdoors inspires my work and the great outdoors is a very natural subject matter for me. When people ask me “How do you select your subject matter?" I honestly reply, “I don't select it. It selects me."

Visually, when something I see excites me, it feels like it reaches out and grabs me by the collar saying, “STOP what you are doing, right now, and SEE this!" So I do. 

I always have a camera with me and I'll take many shots, from many angles, to help visually remind me later, what I saw in the moment. Then, back in my studio, I'll use the images to help create an interpretation of the scene, emotionally informed by light and color.

Education:

Self-taught.

Awards & Distinctions:

40 West Art Gallery Fantasy and Dreamscapes Exhibition October 2021 - My abstract painting called Colorado Dream Series No. 1 - Winter won the Mayor's Choice Ribbon.

40 West Art Gallery Light and Shadow Exhibition February 2022 - My paper sculpture Ullr - Nordic God of Winter won the Award of Excellence.

Featured Artist The Art Social - Colorado - First Friday, Santa Fe Arts District February 2023

Invited to audition to become a member artist at Core Art Space at the 40 West Galleries, after members saw and liked one of my pieces hanging in their juried show, Once Upon a Time August 2023.

Exhibitions:

Core Art Space - Once Upon a Time exhibitions - July 2023

First Friday on Santa Fe - The Art Social. I was the featured artist of a group of 4 artist showing. I had 8 of my Red Rocks of Colorado series featured - Friday, February 3, 2023

Edge Gallery ON EDGE juried exhibition - September 2022
Art of the West Gallery - Art of the West juried exhibition - August 2022
Castle Rock Wine and Art Festival - July 2022
40 West Gallery Shadow and Light exhibition - February 2022. Won the Award of Excellence ribbon.
40 West Gallery Dreamscapes and Fantasy exhibition - October 2021. Won the Mayor's Choice ribbon.

Professional/Teaching Experience:

Most recently I've been leading a Veteran's Art Therapy oil painting class during the Summer of 2023. 

I also taught Illustration at the College level and was the Chair of the Multimedia Graphic Design Advisory Board at Front Range Community from Sept 2013 - May 2017.

I facilitated peer conversations, invited guest speakers specific to Front Range Community College's commitment to providing cutting edge technical and creative education for FRCC Multimedia Graphic Design students, to our monthly Advisory Board meetings.

Artistic Influences:

Generally my influences are the Impressionists. Outside of the energy, motion and light that draws me to impressionistic styling, I am a big fan of more classical landscape artists like Albert Bierstadt, Frederic Church and work of the Hudson River School artists.