Open to Growth • Watercolor pencil • 12.8in x 8.8in • Carly Swenson • 2011
I don’t often post about my art competition and gallery submissions–primarily because A no. 1: I’m usually submitting work I’ve already created, (as opposed to something I did just for that specific entry). And B no. 2: In all honesty, being an artist comes with a lot of rejection, and unless something is accepted, I prefer to keep the majority of disappointment to myself.
However, today I am making an exception. I recently completed my submission forEmbracing Our Differences2012.
I’ve also submitted works to this billboard-style outdoor exhibition the last two years. My past works were declined, but I’m still proud of them. I enjoy applying to this exhibition because I think the venue is delightfully unique and the theme is an interesting challenge.
With the theme embracing our differences–a lot of kitschy sort of images tend to come to mind (many different colored hands holding up the world, smiling flowers with the faces of children of various ethnicities, etc). I like the challenge of attempting to capture this concept in an aesthetically appealing and thought-provoking way that doesn’t default to that style of stereotypical imagery that automatically comes to mind.
Embrace II, • Mixed media drawing • 12.8in x 8.8in • Carly Swenson • 2010Embrace I • Colored pencil • 12.8in x 8.8in • Carly Swenson • 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.
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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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4 Replies to “art submission: embracing our differences”
love the last image best, although the bus stop is pretty neat too!
Carly Swenson • Intuitive Artist 
love the last image best, although the bus stop is pretty neat too!
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Thanks, that one is my favorite too.
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You are an amazing artist!
Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you very much.
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