Over a lifetime, the problem of how to lay bare the meaning hidden beneath a fleeting observation has bedeviled Frances Carlson. Early on she assumed that within small details large stories are told. At university she initially studied art and literature in order to put words to these observations, but went on to a Bachelor of Science Degree and a career in Occupational Therapy where her ability to read and understand movement, central to her work, had a precise vocabulary and focus. She has come full circle, returning to the simplest way to tell a story.
Ms Carlson has lived with her family on the Sun River in Montana for twenty-four years. It is a place well suited to her needs in its openness and the generosity of its people. Initially focusing on illustrations, Ms Carlson has moved into a wider exploration of what it is to tell a story. She has been juried into a number of shows both in state and on the West Coast and has received local and national recognition for her work.
Ms. Carlson works primarily in pastel and charcoal, though she constantly explores new media. Ms. Carlson’s work can be seen at the following galleries:
- Gallery 16 in Great Falls, Montana
- Latigo and Lace in Augusta, Montana
- Walking Man Gallery in White Fish, Montana
Artist statement
As my work evolves, I begin to see it as an endless effort to resolve dichotomies. Abstract/figurative. Line/Mass. Narrative/Conceptual. Asian/Western traditions. I would love to understand and capture their common denominators.
Frances Carlson
October, 2011
You may download Ms. Carlson’s complete resume here.