Daily Inspiration: Meet Carolyn Carter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Carter.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m currently a freelance artist/illustrator working on developing myself and building my own brand from the ground up having come from an unstable foundation as a child and into adulthood. Art was always my main passion but was continuously being put on the back burner because of just trying to get through life’s curveballs. Having had to traverse many windy paths on my journey thus far, I’ve found myself at a place in my life where despite the more recent setbacks from the pandemic, I’m building upon what I have learned from prior failures and challenges, little triumphs, and everything between: Creating art has always been the main driving force that motivates me to keep at it despite many setbacks. A couple of years back when I first moved to LA I was given an opportunity to try and heal and reinvent myself–to start anew. Sure, still with meager means, but with an updated perspective and more experience.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a struggle. But I suppose it wouldn’t have been very interesting if the road was boring. I can say this in hindsight and because I’m trying to be positive lol. But in all seriousness, we can’t change the past, and much of my past has been living in survival mode much of the time while dealing with unstable housing, financial hardship, mental and emotional trauma and stress, toxic people, unstable jobs, and only enough support to avoid being literally on the streets.

Though I have had some help along the way, which I will always be grateful for. I had to claw my way through sometimes and with so much uncertainty, it was difficult being able to create much of the time because of it. I aim to remain kind and not allow the world to turn me into someone I don’t want to be. I wanted to be able to have some say in how my experiences shaped me–what I wanted to take with me on my journey forward. While I haven’t had it as bad as some, I also have not had it as good as others. I have had people try to discourage me or judge me through a small lens. I had to learn the hard way to not let others shape who I am; to choose for myself who I want to be and how I wish to express myself and what I want to accomplish and contribute while I’m alive. And how to go about doing all of this and where to start.

On a lighter note, I also struggle with having a very active feline familiar who is constantly sabotaging my efforts to focus on things other than her. But she’s cute–so we let it slide.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
There are so many amazing artists out there it’s difficult to say really what I think sets me apart, but I suppose I could say I am known for artwork that feels nostalgic and has a fairytale kind of feel. I have had people tell me things like my work reminds them of Hayao Miyazaki or Redwall, as examples. I personally love drawing anything “fae” related or nature and fantasy themed. I enjoy working with ink, pencil, and watercolor (though I have been trying more digital art). I sometimes experiment with different themes and styles, but overall in the art, I feel most proud of are the ones where I try to not overthink it, and not worry about it being the most technically perfect stuff out there and just focus on channeling a feeling or impression.

Generally, I try to convey feelings and emotional impressions with my art. I try to capture what I find beautiful and or something I feel like conveying that I can’t with words. And sometimes I use words too.

Whether it sets me apart from others or not I don’t know if I can claim that, but I try to capture something ephemeral and/or portray story elements in the images or pieces I create. It’s always about the visual narrative for me. I’ve been told I take good photos as well. And I’m always learning and trying to explore different mediums and narratives and so forth. And sometimes I try to also mix in some spirituality with my work too.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Hard to say what my favorite was. Overall anytime I got a new book or manga/comic. Or got to play rpgs (video games). Or anytime I got to interact with an animal or be someplace in nature. Or when me and my siblings got to play games we made up with our imaginations or watch morning cartoons together. Stories and nature were my therapy and hope as a child.

Contact Info:

• Other: https://linktr.ee/artofcarolyncarter

Image Credits
Creator/Artist: Carolyn Carter