My work tells the stories of female figures of strength, focusing on those who work with their hands; keeping alive the artifacts of humanity. - Carmen McNall
California based artist Carmen McNall's paintings are punctuated by deep woodcuts creating a balance between textured patterns and stretches of pure pigment. By combining painting with added wood carving techniques, the paintings are not just rich in color, but embody the idea of "handcrafted, " a theme that is central in her work through both process and subject matter as hands play a recurring role. The faceless figures in McNall's work resemble Goddess-like muses as they rest in dynamic yet effortless poses. Each one embodying strength, confidence, and wisdom. The figures are adorned with a novel blend of symbolic patterns and mark making. They rest within their own elements, surrounded by a complex yet tranquil interior landscape that inhabit both ancient and futuristic realms.
Through this work, McNall explores the body as a vessel, a container that carries us through life, using both literal vessels such as vases and containers, as well as human forms. She investigates all that is held within us: memories, tension, energy, healing properties, intuition and how these manifest into movement.
"My work is very planned out because of the nature of wood carving, every mark is permanent and therefore must be intentional. A lot of the process is in the concept and vision for each piece. I spend quite a bit of time sketching the composition, the colors and pattern designs. I like to work on a body of work simultaneously, having multiple paintings in progress at once. This way I can step back and see the work all together, the way I feel it's meant to be viewed.
Once I finish painting, I carve into the pieces using woodcut gouges, creating texture within the patterns. This is a very raw part of the process, no mark you make can be undone so it's about accepting each mark and the handmade quality it creates. This is what I love so much about the woodcut process. It's very honest and reveals each moment in time that went into the making of the piece, learning to work with the wood and letting the grain of the wood determine the mark making."
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Carmen McNall
Pathways of Time 27 July - 23 August 2023California based artist Carmen McNall's paintings are punctuated by deep woodcuts creating a balance between textured patterns and stretches of pure pigment. By combining painting with added wood carving techniques,...Read more -
Deck The Walls
Exhibiting a diverse selection of new works from gallery artists 1 December 2022 - 17 January 2023Each December Gilman Contemporary celebrates the diversity of the artists they bring to Sun Valley with a dynamic group exhibition. This year the gallery teases future summer exhibitions including Carmen...Read more -
New Voices
Thai Mainhard, Carmen Mcnall, Hannah Parret, Brianna Gluszak, Kelly Ording, Joanne Freeman 24 June - 25 July 2022Come celebrate 15 years with Gilman Contemporary as we highlight emerging and mid-career female artists!Read more