artistic themes VIII: animals

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I’m drawn to animals.  I have been ever since I was little. Maybe it’s a reassuring beauty in animals as part of nature? The insane variety of life-forms in existence–creatures like me with abilities to procreate, consume food, convert food to energy to survive–to be alive. Yet so much of their existence I can’t really know, despite how common and familiar some animals are.

I find that interesting.  It’s also intriguing how we, as humans, tend to apply our own concepts of beauty (or lack thereof) onto other animals.

People viewing my work all have their own associations with commonly seen animals, which adds a personal depth and interpretation to a piece.

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Don’t think I’m pushing you away, size, acrylic on canvas, 2014
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Thursday, Feb 22 • 18in x 18in • Mixed media collage • Carly Swenson • 2014
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no. 154:
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Something Good, 12in x 12in mixed media collage on canvas, 2014
no. 92
no. 64:
no. 76
no. 75:
no. 89:
no. 88
Mama once told me, “You’re already home where you feel loved.” I am lost in my mind. I get lost in my mind. -The Head and the Heart
no. 41
no. 37
no. 28
…the beauty of what has been left behind. 24in x 24in, mixed media collage, 2013
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Stop War Now, 8in x 8in, mixed media collage on canvas 2013
no. 125: A sensitive soul
no. 19: Little brown dog
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About the consequences, 18in x 18in, acrylic on canvas, 2014
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no. 87
sketch no. 271
no. 123: Depression feels…
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sketch no. 272
You’re trying too hard, 2012
Page 1, 2012
Haunted in Paris, 12in x 12in mixed media collage on canvas, 2012
The Allure of Slumber, 14in x 18in, mixed media on canvas, 2012
Figure 9.42: Absence Longer
Night Owl, 4in x 6in, art postcard, 2012
Politics without Principle III
Commerce without Morality II
sketch no. 70
Everything you know and love can be taken from you in a matter of moments.
Yellow Rabbit on Blue II, mixed media collage on canvas, 12in x 24in

Published by Carly Swenson, Visual Artist

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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