Carissa Barcus

Sponsor Member

My artistic expression is a means to navigate the ever-shifting nature of life. Reinvention as a practice is what my life has shaped into, and I find with each new version of myself, I become more curious and creative. Every chapter serves as a wellspring of inspiration, highlighting my resilience and fostering a deeper understanding of the enduring strength of the human spirit. It is my goal to mirror this in my artwork.

My creative process is much like the ever-changing nature of life. And while the journey continues to evolve, there are a few key rituals that remain constant every time I begin a new piece. Movement is integral to my process; it is an essential part of my life, and I never start a painting without it. This is typically followed by meditation and some burning of incense. In fact, the very first marks are often the ashes of my palo santo stick. After movement and meditation, I intuitively choose the colors that speak to me in the moment. I pour big puddles of each onto a large palette and get to mixing my very own custom colors. If I ever get stuck in a piece, I repeat steps one and two, and I can begin to see the work with new eyes. And lastly, music. I love all types of music and find that it helps to keep me and my work loose. My process is a reflection of my emotional state and how I have learned to steady the ups and downs in actionable ways. I learn something new every time I step up to the canvas. There are days when I dance through a painting and days when I grit my teeth, but the final product is what motivates me to keep going. I hope that each piece takes the viewer on their journey, sparking infectious curiosity within themselves.

Follow her on Instagram at @carissa_barcus_fine_art