Self
taught or art school?
Self taught, I have taken some night classes around
Austin though and I took all the public school art classes I could. I studied
Accounting in college and have worked for the IRS since 2007.
If you could own one
work of art what would it be?
Probably a mid 1970s de Kooning; one of his
landscapes. Untitled XII from 1975 is my favorite painting, ever. There is also
Rosy-Fingered Dawn at Louse Point, that was a little earlier. One of those.
How would you describe
your style?
Abstract landscapes. I am influenced by abstract expressionism a
lot, but I am trying to get away from the aggressive mark making and just
paint. All my work comes from a landscape position and a practice of making
those.
What are your
favourite places to view art?
I live in Austin, so there aren’t to many places
to see art so I try to go to my friend’s art shows when I can. The internet is
a great way to get exposed to new imagery, of course its limited but I do my
best. Houston is great, the Menil collection rules and the Art Car Museum
always has good shows.
Who are your favourite
artists and why?
So there is this dude in Brooklyn Peter Maslow who makes these
weird abstract urban landscape type works. His paintings make sense and are
constructed logically and intentionally. He also draws well and somehow gets
that into the work but not in a forceful way. The colors are toned down a lot
but his art makes sense. I mean, he’s not an old master but his paintings have helped me a lot to make
sense of the paintings I am trying to make. I like artists like that; that
don’t hide their limitations or their feelings. Basquiat is another one. De
Kooning of course.
What or who inspires
your art?
I think its wanting to feel empowered or make sense of my limited
life. Painting has helped me come to terms with what I am and has helped me to
have a place to be myself. So I try to get inspired by the work I have made and
I try to work in a way that pushes forward what I am capable of. I have a good
idea of what I can not do, and that’s a huge list, but I try to own my
limitations and live within them.
Where’s your studio
and what’s it like?
In 2008 I built a 8x12’ studio to paint in about 30 feet
from the back of my main house, which is really small, like 830 sq ft or
something. It’s a small space which sucks but I really can do anything in there
without worrying about making a mess. That has become a big part of my process
and I have found trouble trying to paint anywhere else. It has taken years to
set it up so I can use it all quickly.
Do you have any studio
rituals?
Nope, I just go in and go for it. I am always under the gun time wise
so I just get as much done as I can before I have to go back to work again. Its
really messy.
What are you working
on currently?
I am using spray paint a lot more, mostly like an under painting
and using the contrast of that to brush stroke to create some color
perspective.
Where can we buy your
art?
My website is carlmsith29.wix.com/arts but Facebook works better. I show
all around Austin but am looking for more internet sales always.
What are your
ambitions?
Somehow get to the place where I can paint full time. I am
always trying to get better as a painter and learn more about composing an image.
Its all about composition.
