ARTIST STATEMENT
It’s an interesting time in my evolution as an artist as I experiment with new to bring image to canvas and paper. Much of my current work isn’t concerned with literal depiction. The language of my art has changed from literal interpretation to emotional expression. I find myself on a journey, albeit a winding one, from realism to pure abstraction. I’ve rearranged motifs into more imaginary compositions; my emotional reaction to what I observe takes precedence over visual impression. There is little in my recent paintings that one should take literally. Rather, my recent works offer color, movement, and gestural strokes that reflect feeling and emotion lingering in my imagination after the original image is out of view. Color and organic shapes greatly influence my compositions. I enjoy leaving untouched canvas and adding mark-making that reflects a shift in direction or a thought unresolved, thus revealing the very deliberate hand of the artist. Many of my new paintings, with their sometimes off-handed, unexpected, and even ephemeral representations, reflect these recent experimentations. I leave it to the viewer to peer into each composition and discover their own meaning.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I’ve been drawn to creating art my entire adult life. I grew up on Chicago’s northwest side and currently live on the city’s suburban North Shore. I earned my undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and a post graduate degree from Loyola University Chicago. Before devoting my time to raising two children, I enjoyed a business career. My personal exploration of the visual arts started in the 1990’s with university classes, artist workshops, and mentoring by many notable Chicago area artists.
This artistic pursuit and education continues today with two productive studios and an active online peer community. Painting represents a language that helps me express myself to the world. I work primarily in oil on canvas, but continue to experiment with other media to channel my expanding vision and creativity. When I’m not creating two-dimensional works of art, I design and create jewelry that’s often influenced by the palette and sense of discovery reflected in my paintings.
© Carol Burin