Artist Carrie Pearce on Creativity and having fun in the Studio

Carrie Pearce is a talented artist from Peoria, Illinois. In this interview, she opens up about her journey from childhood inspirations, like Walt Disney’s animations and the works of Ann Adams, to her education at the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design. Carrie shares how she blends painting with found objects, creating unique pieces that tell stories. Carrie also talks about how she keeps her creativity flowing and the importance of trying new things.

Carrie Pearce, a native of Peoria, Illinois, born in 1969, has cultivated her artistic talents since childhood. Her early artistic journey was sparked by a Walt Disney light-up table, where she would eagerly describe her visions to her mother, igniting her passion for creating visual art. At age six, Carrie found profound inspiration in Ann Adams, an artist who defied physical limitations by drawing with a pencil between her teeth. In awe of Adams’ remarkable abilities, Carrie began emulating her artistry, both with and without using her teeth as a tool. Carrie’s commitment to her craft led her to the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, where she graduated with honors. In 2007, while gazing upon Leonardo da Vinci’s exquisite portrait of Ginevra de Benci, she made a resolute declaration, “I aspire to paint at that level of mastery.” Carrie’s artistic endeavors have garnered recognition on both national and international stages. She proudly holds the distinction of being a “Living Artist” affiliated with the Art Renewal Center, an esteemed platform dedicated to the resurgence of realism in fine art. Her work has earned prominent placements in renowned publications, including Fine Art Connoisseur, American Art Collector, Hey Magazine, and Create. She is a distinguished finalist for the coveted Bennett Prize, a testament to her artistic excellence.

She combines paint and assemblage to create a marriage of her inspiration and passion. She follows her stream of consciousness, allowing a portrait and narrative to develop naturally. Often, the picture is prompted by the found objects and a possible narrative about its history or culture. Through the ideas garnered in the imagination, creation reveals the artist’s truth that anyone else cannot tell. Unbounded possibilities exist in the unlimited source of the found objects. Her evolution into mixed media allowed her to introduce multiple elements into this union, creating a new painting. The found object in the environment allows her to challenge the boundaries of figurative painting and portraiture. Utilizing the object to tell stories, which explore the depths of movement, layering, and composition.

1. What inspired you to become an artist?

The imagination is a powerful toy. I was raised during the TV generation. My early childhood influences were Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Gilligan’s Island, Loony Tunes, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Fantasy Island, H.R. Pufnstuf, and many more. My imagination was developed by these shows. They all seemed real or real enough to be believable. Early on, my brother and I were quite spoiled with toys. You name it, we had it. The list goes on Barbie, GI Joe, Lite-Brite, and Mr. Potato Head. I spent most of my time in the imaginary world of TV and toys. This has a direct impact on my work as an adult. Art is a form of play. As an adult artist, I exercise my imagination with new toys, brushes, and paint. Like a bored child, tired of the same old toy, I have also expanded my play with found objects and relics of the past. My paintings are situated somewhere in the realm of the fantastic. A category where bizarre and extravagance mingle with visions, automatism, magic, reality, unreality, fairytales, ghost stories, the supernatural and the absurd.

I follow my stream of conscious allowing a portrait and narrative to develop naturally on its own. Often, the portrait is prompted by the found objects and a possible narrative about its history or culture.

_{Carrie Pearce}

2. What is your creative process like from start to finish?

The hunter gathers in me, finding jewelry, toys, and trinkets worth saving. And the child in me wants these things for my own. These articles sit on shelves at estate sales and junk stores a short trip from the local dump. Like a ghost hunter, I carefully scour antique and second-hand stores for a sign of life. I always begin my hunt on the left, visually scanning from top to bottom. Something is trying to catch my eye, but I resist. Top to bottom, left to right, just like a book. When my eye finally lands on that thing that was calling me, I think, I have no idea what I will use this for, but I must have it. I once bought a jar of super balls because the colors made me happy, and I wanted to chew on them. I am particularly fond of trousseau items, crochet, needlepoint, old quilts, and anything someone has spent a long time making. I feel the energy that was put into these creations can still be felt. There is a shadowy aura that surrounds these things. Once the items are collected, they are sorted and stored. The jewelry is cut into pieces and sorted by color. I began by painting portraits, which lately feature imaginary people. The picture serves as the springboard for the rest of the piece. I don’t always have a preconceived idea; instead, I let the portrait guide me. Once the painting is complete, I usually clearly envision what they will become. I then lay out fabrics and found objects. After determining the direction, I proceed with sewing and embroidery, combining both hand and machine techniques. I use an antique Singer sewing machine that performs both chain stitch and moss stitch. Once the main elements are complete, I sort my jewelry pieces by size and carefully lay everything out before adhering them to the board’s surface.

3. Where do you find inspiration for your artwork?

My inner child is a boundless source of creativity, inspiration, and imagination. Whenever I try to force inspiration, it eludes me. Instead, inspiration finds me naturally while working or playing spiring to me. It allows me to delve into my thoughts and feelings, translating them onto canvas or paper.

4. How do you handle creative blocks or periods of low inspiration?

I have found that my ideas flow while I’m working. Creative blocks can be overcome while in the process of creation. I was experiencing creative block several years ago. I found that changing mediums gave me a new source of inspiration. I feel the possibilities are endless with mixed media, whereas paint has limitations. I also started revisiting ideas I had 30 years ago. An old sketchbook can be a great source.

The found object in the environment allows me to challenge the boundaries of figurative painting and portraiture. Utilizing the object to tell stories, which explore the depths of movement, layering and composition.

_{Carrie Pearce}

5. What role does experimentation play in your art practice?

Stepping out of my comfort zone and experimenting has been liberating. Now that I have expanded into assemblage, I no longer feel restrained by my tools, paint, and brush. Art is a form of play. Like a child bored with the same toys, sometimes you need new ones to rekindle the imagination.

Carrie Pearce’s art shows us the power of creativity and how it can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. By blending paint with found objects, she creates wonderful pieces that speak to her love for history, culture, and storytelling. Carrie’s willingness to try new things and push the boundaries of traditional art keeps her work fresh and exciting. To learn more about Carrie, visit the links below.