Back in 2008, I finished this series of surreal watercolor collage works. The following images are sample works from this series. Each piece is 9.5in x 12.5in watercolor collage on Arches coldpress watercolor paper. The titles are inspired by the concept of Jenny Holzer’s truisms. 2008 was a time of a lot of life adjustments, moving to England, becoming a military spouse, working my first adult job where I was using my college degree, trying to find a social circle, learning to share my home with my husband–basically, a fresh college graduate learning life wasn’t quite what I expected, in some good ways and some bad ways.
At a certain point, it seems procreation becomes selfish, irresponsible, and unintentionally destructive. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008There comes a point in every relationship that one has to make a conscious decision if it is worth the effort and act accordingly. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008We have long since passed the time when a women’s worth is measured by her ability to produce offspring. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008Societal hierarchy is inevitable. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008The words of a church do not necessarily equal the words of God. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008Throughout your life, some people will deceive you simply because they can. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008Everything you know and love can be taken from you in a matter of moments. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008He said that I was one of the precious things in this world worth protecting. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008We are constantly at the mercy of those with more power and influence than ourselves. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008Some use religion as a means to satisfy addictive tendencies. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008We act in blatant disregard for future generations. • Carly Swenson • Watercolor collage • 2008
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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2 Replies to “2008: Aesthetic Alchemy”
I couldn’t help but notice but one of the images in the paintings looks rather like your Gravatar, of course I am probably wrong and if so please ignore my thoughts on that one :) I like all of the art shown here Carly :)
Carly Swenson • Intuitive Artist 
I couldn’t help but notice but one of the images in the paintings looks rather like your Gravatar, of course I am probably wrong and if so please ignore my thoughts on that one :) I like all of the art shown here Carly :)
Andro xx
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