CAROL J. VICK
abstract contemporary artist
a michigan native, carol is an abstract artist that works in both acrylic paints and mixed media collage. she is an award winning artist formally trained, holds a bachelor of fine arts, along with an associate in graphic design. she is known for her mood evoking surface paintings that reveal a sense of depth and texture within an engaging composition. carol currently works in her home studio, as well as the Birmingham Bloomfield art center, where she continues to develop her skills.
INSPIRATION
INSPIRATION IS OFTEN TIMES FOUND IN UNEXPECTED PLACES. PATTERNS CREATED BY COMMUTERS ON BUSY CITY SIDEWALKS, THE WEATHERED SHADES OF GRAY WITHIN A BROKEN CONCRETE PARKING LOT, OR THE RIPPLES LEFT ON A SHORELINE AFTER A SUMMER NIGHT’S STORM. INSPIRATION IS THE AROMA DISTINCTIVE TO VINTAGE PAPERS, IT IS THE GRANDEUR OF A FOREST AFTER THE FIRE, AS WELL AS THE PEELING PAINT ON THE SIDE OF AN ABANDONED BUILDING. I’M DRAWN TO THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT SURFACES, THE PATINA THAT CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH AGE.
PROCESS OF CREATING
I BEGIN BY ACTIVATING THE SURFACE USUALLY WITH GRAPHITE LINE, OR A WASH OF COLOR AS A WAY TO MARK THE PERFECT WHITE SURFACE. MY PAINTINGS REFERENCE EXPERIENCES THROUGH INTUITIVELY MARKInG THE SURFACE AS AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE TO WHAT IS HAPPENING WITHIN THE CANVAS. THE FINAL OUTCOME IS ACHIEVED BY THE PROCESS OF VARYING LAYERs of PAINT, GLAZES, AND MARK MAKING.. I WORK PRIMARILY IN ACRYLIC PAINTS, USING MARK MAKING TOOLS AND NATURALLY AGED VINTAGE PAPERS (IN COLLAGE WORKS) TO REVEAL A SURFACE THAT HAS TEXTURE,, DEPTH AND EMOTION.