About Christopher R. Carlson
This web site is new and is a work in progress.
I have not nearly completed all of the design elements and functionality. I hope to have this finished in the near future. I will appreciate all comments and critiques. 4/20/2024
My Brief Bio: Christopher R. Carlson
I was born in Massachusetts in 1961, moved around a few times, until ending up in Burlington, North Carolina in 1977. After graduating from high school in 1979, I attended East Carolina University. I graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing and a minor in Illustration and Graphic Design. After graduation, I took a position with the North Carolina Forest Service(NCFS) as the Artist-Illustrator.
While working with the NCFS I had many duties and responsibilities, primarily graphic design, 3D exhibit design/fabrication, illustration and publications. One of my first big projects in Oct. of 1984 was to create an extra large “Smokey Bear” for the North Carolina State Fair. This position slowly transitioned from old school graphic design with Letraset letters and Zippatone colors on illustration board to computer graphics. I started using computers in 1988/89 to complete my graphics design duties, and became quite proficient with the software and computers.
In 1994 I married my wife, Donna. You will see below in my Shows and Exhibits, that they end there. Three children later, I continued painting, yet less frequently, due to the rise of computer graphics and family duties. From 1994 until 2014, while working for the NCFS, in the evenings I primarily focused on freelance graphic design and not as much time painting, as it was a more productive source of extra income.
After 30 years with the N.C. Forest Service, I retired in 2014 as the Information and Education Chief. I can't say strongly enough how I thoroughly enjoyed my career with NCFS. Great organization and people. Since then I have done some freelance graphics jobs, and foremost resumed painting. I am an extremely fortunate artist, as I can paint whatever I want, giving me the freedom to paint for my pleasure, utilizing my family as subjects when needed. (they’re free).
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As for my future painting and graphic design projects, let it continue! I’m open to doing commission pieces, based on your ideas and subject matter and medium. Quite a few of my paintings are available and for sale, price upon request. I will also be looking into new galleries, shows/exhibits. If I see a demand or have requests for limited edition prints, I’ll be open to that also. For graphic design requests, contact me at carlsongraphics@gmail.com. I will be doing a web page for graphic design soon.
Christopher R. Carlson
Christopher R. Carlson
Shows and Exhibits:
2024- Raleigh Fine Arts Society, NC Artist Exhibit, juried show
"Caroline, Moving Through Space and Time"
1994 - Artspace, Demi-monde Exhibition, multiple paintings
1993-1994 - Exhibited 8-10 paintings, all sold, at Bev's Fine Art, Raleigh N.C.
1991 - Raleigh Fine Arts Society juried show
1991 - 1st Place, Wake Visual Arts Association, juried show
1991 - Artspace, NCACLU Juried Show, sold
1991 - Honorable Mention, Wake Visual Arts Association, Juried show
1990 - 2 Person show, Stevens Gallery, Raleigh, NC
1989 - Raleigh Fine Arts Society, Juried show
1988 - Purchase Award, Raleigh Fine Arts Society, Juried Show(Wachovia Bank)
1988 - Exhibit at The Bear Wall, Raleigh N.C.
1988 - One person show, Blue Water Tropics Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida
1987 - Three large commissioned painting for the State of N.C.
1985 - Two Person Show, Bank of the Arts, New Bern N.C.
1984 - Purchase Award, Illumina Arts Competition, Greenville N.C. (E.C.U.)
1984 - Individual Show, Greenville N.C. (E.C.U.)
1984 -1983 - Works published in E.C.U. Arts Magazine
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Christopher R. Carlson - Artist’s Statement:
Producing a piece of fine art first begins with my philosophy of art. What are you trying to achieve, who are you trying to please, and who is your audience? What motivates me to create a piece of art is the challenge to create something that I’d want to own. Something that challenges my abilities. Then to succeed in creating something where I enjoyed the process and am proud of the results. Who is my audience, and who am I trying to please? First of all is myself, then others. I paint for the enjoyment I get while executing the piece and the satisfaction I get when it is completed. Then I enjoy watching how people respond to the completed work.
I pride myself by working in a variety of mediums, each having their own properties and varying techniques. Many times I’ll start in a water based medium to get large areas or backgrounds complete and finish with oil paints to complete detailed areas or object that may require more detailed rendering. I like detail, and complexity. I feel it gives the viewer more to observe over time, discovering new elements or things that they had not noticed before. This can be on a large scale throughout the composition or the surface, or small details in obscure places.
I delight in working in all mediums, from computer graphics to oil on canvas, and feel they can all be used together to achieve a desired outcome, and often, that is the way I work. My degree is a BFA in Painting and Illustration from East Carolina University. I worked as an artist, graphic designer, 3D exhibit creator for 30 years and a communications specialist for the last 8 years. Painting has always been special to me, so it is now satisfying to have more time to pursue it with more focus.
Christopher R. Carlson