"Halls of Balboa"
"Sante Fe Reflected "
Artist: Carrie Anwaerter
Location: Building 18 - 101 N. Lake West Suburban Bank (View Map)
Drawing while still in the high-chair I was fortunate to have access to art classes before I entered kindergarten. My great aunt took up oil painting at age 60 (the year I was born). When I was old enough to sit still I went with her and learned about priming a canvas, color and composition in advance of reading and writing. I have been expressing a personal narrative with images ever since. My hope is to reveal the strength and emotion through color and posture in figurative works. Visual expression is one of the oldest forms of communication: figurative words are especially honest in telling emotions no matter how subtle or brazen. That is why I have been so interested in painting the subject, allowing the imagery to say all that I intend, and sometimes more.
With landscapes my interest is on the effects of time and nature on man-made structures, focusing on texture, light and the invasion of organics. My goal is to share "snap shots" of time and sentiment. Despite being self-taught I have taught and taken part in many workshops and classes, and have been exhibiting locally and nationally for more than 20 years.
The artists that have influenced me the most are Gustav Klimt and the photographer Man Ray. I have lived in the Midwest most of my life and discover inspiration in travel and in my own back yard.
"Halls of Balboa" was inspired on one of my many trips to San Diego, California. Rich history runs through so much of San Diego even though strip malls and expressways are what most visitors see. I wanted to capture a quiet and nostalgic place where time stands still. "Santa Fe Reflected" was inspired by a trip to New Mexico where old places are reborn every spring.
