I’ve begun evaluating my own imagery, considering themes and concepts that appear repeatedly throughout my art. I highly encourage (and prefer) people viewing my work to find their own interpretations unique to them. This allows them the freedom to identify with each piece on their own terms based on their own ideologies and experiences—ultimately that is the result I strive for with me work.
However, this exercise has also been very helpful to me, permitting me to grow more as an artist by becoming more in tune with how my emotions, convictions and thoughts cleverly make their way into my art. I work through intuition. I save or buy (or pick up off the street) anything that feels like it may have a future use in my work. Some things I’ve had for, honestly, over 10 years before they find a home in a piece of art. Other items only last a week. Since most of my work is instinctual, I’ve learned a lot by forcing myself to consciously examine the imagery I frequently use.
An explanation of imagery and themes often used in my work:
Lips: Women’s lips intrigue me, they can have a subtle yet captivating allure or blatant sexual implications. Either way, that particular part of the body strikes me as beautifully feminine.
Lips are also iconic of speech and communication. Of course, communication has its own sets of implications and associations. Relating back to gender and feminist themes, women often struggle to be heard or taken seriously in male-dominated professional work places. Our concerns are often not taken as seriously as men’s. And then, we circle back to the innate conflict of being viewed as a sexual object versus being taken seriously as a full, well-rounded equal.
Page 2, 2012
sketch no. 103
sketch no. 43
24 Hour Service, 14in x 18 in, mixed media collage on canvas, 2011
sketch no. 320
Page 1, 2012
no. 29
Completed page, 2012
no. 109: The Frog Prince, 6in x 6in visual journal pages, 2011
Ill at Ease, 20in x 24in, mixed media collage on canvas, 2009
no. 58:
sketch no. 138
detail image 2
detail image 3
Final Postcard 1
Science without Humanity III
sketch no. 87
no. 149:
Skulls/skeletons: I used to hate skeletons and skulls. I thought they were creepy with no real aesthetic appeal for anyone–except maybe pirates and bikers? However, I’ve learned the errors of my ways. After drawing model skeletons and skulls for studies in life drawing class during college, I began to greatly appreciate the eerie and slightly unnerving beauty of human bones. Much like the classic use of memento mori throughout art history. I like the lingering reminder that we are merely human and our lives, time and impact on this earth are transitory. However, I choose to use this theme in a much more contemporary form.
sketch no. 230
detail image 2
sketch no. 81
sketch no. 147
I like going to the park, I like walking through it. I like taking my dogs there and friends, and I like being alone. I like being able to shout, but I wish I could be quiet. When I’m quiet people just think I’m sad, and usually I am. -Kate Nash
Then she got into bed… 12in x 12in, mixed media collage on canvas, 2012
Detail image 2
Detail image 3
Pleasure without Conscience III
sketch no. 311
Sleeping Bones, mixed media drawing on paper, 2006
sketch no. 281
detail image 2
Detail image 1
Pleasure without Conscience I
sketch no. 306
detail image 1
Page 1, 2012
Details of Persephone in Hope
no. 159:
sketch no. 247
detail image 2
Trapped in Memory, 12in x 12in collage on burlap, 2013
In-progress, image 4
sketch no. 333
no. 122: Run!
Blue Girl II, mixed media drawing on canvas, 8in x 8in, 2009
Carly Swenson is an intuitive painter originally from northern Montana. She spent more than a decade working primarily as a mixed media artist before shifting to acrylics. Swenson received a BFA in Visual Arts with an Art History Minor from Bemidji State University. During and after university, she traveled and lived abroad, this included studying in China, traveling throughout Europe and living both in England and the Azores.Swenson’s work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions throughout the US and internationally. Her freelance writing and mixed media journals have been published in nationally distributed art magazines. She has facilitated art workshops for various age groups. Swenson’s work is also included in the permanent art collections of Angra do Heroismo Museum and Bemidji State University (Bemidji, MN). Currently, she lives in St. Paul, MN with a smart little dog and a weird little cat. They’re nice.
Copyright Notice:
All images (artwork and photography) protected by copyright and belong to Carly Swenson, unless otherwise noted. Any images not owned by Carly Swenson have been used with the consent of the copyright holder. Please do not reuse/publish/edit/copy/etc. any images from this blog without consent of the copyright holder. Thank you for your understanding and respect of artistic integrity.
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5 Replies to “artistic themes II: parts of the body”
“I highly encourage (and prefer) people viewing my work to create their own interpretations of what my work means to them.”
I really like your collages… You bring many different elements and colors together to create amazing works. To me, they feel nicely balanced without being too many elements crowded together. And I like when you bring in text — the Structured Narrative (with message of being hit by a car) and Result Will Be Extraordinary especially grabbed my eyes. Very creative and cool works!
Lips: Women’s lips intrigue me, they can have a subtle yet captivating allure or blatant sexual implications. Either way, that particular part of the body strikes me as beautifully feminine.
Carly Swenson • Intuitive Artist 
“I highly encourage (and prefer) people viewing my work to create their own interpretations of what my work means to them.”
I agree – the best art makes you do this I feel.
Thanks for the comment on my blog!
Ann
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Absolutely. It is always amazing to me the different interpretations people can have from the same piece.
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I really like your collages… You bring many different elements and colors together to create amazing works. To me, they feel nicely balanced without being too many elements crowded together. And I like when you bring in text — the Structured Narrative (with message of being hit by a car) and Result Will Be Extraordinary especially grabbed my eyes. Very creative and cool works!
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Thanks so much. I like to mix text into my work, I think it helps develop the imagery into a concept, beyond just what is seen.
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