The inspiration is right in front of me.

While nature continues to rest at the heart of her art, Carin Gerard’s work is revealing novel methods of expression that capture the world’s sense of impermanence. The California-based classical realism painter has felt a profound shift in the art of being, as opposed to the art of doing, over the past few years, and her latest work showcases the nuanced beauty of reemergence. Gerard’s flowers, skies and butterflies elicit feelings of transformation by emphasizing the delicate balance between imagination and reality. Her technique focuses initially on the innermost qualities of natural objects and builds out, allowing her to express their ever-shifting objective and physical beauty without an expectation of perfection or exacting realism. Her latest pieces are looser and more ethereal, and convey a sense of resilience, purpose, and possibility that she feels is necessary at this moment in contemporary culture.

Gerard’s new exhibition titled “Awakening” explores the evolution in her work in parallel process with the evolution in our world. The collection finds its foundation, quite literally, in the grisaille or underpainting, which is typically underdeveloped, monochromatic, and hazy. “I’ve realized this is my favorite stage,” expresses Gerard. “I have typically pushed myself to develop it and move toward perfection, but right now it feels important to recognize what is inherently beautiful. Why not stop when I feel the most joy in it?”

 The loosening in her process evokes confidence, strength, and a willingness to evolve beyond what’s merely safe or expected. Her paintings embrace vulnerability as an expression of empowerment—the subtle metamorphosis of a butterfly and the intricately delicate curl of flower’s petal. Her pieces arouse a sense of the tangible and the magical; viewers feel what is real and present, as well as what is inspired and dreamlike. Gerard is dedicated to exploring how art contributes to feelings of hopefulness, evinced by work that translates seamlessly from reality to imaginativeness.  She states, “I’m not interested in creating art that is photorealistic, but rather endless in its possibility. I think this is what we all need now.”

Adding to her list of endeavors, Gerard is developing a collection of NFT pieces. “As a creative woman in a male-dominated space, I’m hopeful to find my community and get them excited. These pieces are explorative and bold. They take chances,” she asserts. She envisions translating “Natural Awakening” into the virtual realm by animating her florals and butterflies, which will allow viewers to feel their aliveness—as well as their impermanence—even more profoundly. Emboldened by recent societal and professional evolutions, Gerard is eager to contribute art that invokes both purpose and power. “We are emerging in such unexpected yet intentional ways,” she offers. “My hope is for my work to consistently offer an element of timely, provocative surprise.”  

Photography + Artwork on this site: All Right Reserved.
Photography by Christy Gutzeit, Bill Dewey, Heidi Bassett Blair, Dominique Vorillon.
Copy written by Holly Richmond, PhD.