Artist of the Month

Carrie Zeidman

I am an eighth generation Californian and have lived most of my life in Northern California. I got my start in the art field doing graphic design and illustration in the Santa Cruz area. In 1989 I moved back to the Bay Area and built my business up doing printed materials, websites, and illustrations for the high tech industry in Silicon Valley. In 2007 I decided to focus on my own fine art and worked to create my own style. Since then I have won many awards in shows and contests.

TAL: How and when did you start creating art?

CZ : I have always created art. When I was a child I created using whatever medium I could find. I used watercolors, fabrics, even mud to create my “masterpieces.” There was never any question about what field I wanted to go into as an adult.

TAL: What media and genres do you work in?

CZ : I do my art on a computer using digital painting software. I like the look, and I like the control that it gives me.

TAL: Who or what are your influences?

CZ : What has influenced me the most are the colors and diversity of nature in Northern California. I’ve always been inspired by the bright white of a snowy egret on a field of lime green grass, the intense, golden yellow of a mustard field in bloom, the rich, juicy orange of a patch of California poppies. I’ve never felt a lack of inspirational subject matter.

TAL: What was your inspiration for ""?

CZ : The inspiration for “Bubbles!” came to me when I saw these girls playing at a family party. They just looked to be having so much fun and were so into what they were doing that I started snapping pictures of them to use in a painting. I then used the photos along with other materials that I had to create the final composition. I wanted the painting to bring back that feeling of innocence and what it felt like to play in soapy water in the cool shade on a hot summer day.

TAL: Describe your creative process.

CZ : I come up with a composition in my mind, and then I go out and take photos of the main elements. I then create a loose layout of the composition, work with the colors, lighting, cropping, etc. until I have what I saw in my mind. I then use that as a template to create the final piece.

TAL: What are you working on currently?

CZ : I recently visited the concentration camps and death camps in Poland. I am currently working on a series called “ghosts” that incorporates scenes from today with elements from the past.

TAL: What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

CZ : I would love to have my work well known in the art world so that more people could enjoy it.

TAL: Where can people view/purchase your work?

CZ : I have a website at www.carriezeidman.com. Also, my work can be viewed at the Stone Griffin gallery in Campbell, California and at the Artistry in Hair salon in Morgan Hill, California.

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