Kristen Carleton

Born 1984 ~ youngest of seven, I grew up in the prairies of Alberta and acquired a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree with Distinction from the Alberta University of the Arts in 2009. I acquired my Usui Reiki Master Certification and moved to Vancouver Island in 2018 to further my inspiration. I currently work in a highly creative machine shop in downtown Victoria, operate my own fine art business, and am studying to become a Professional Art Therapist at the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy (CIIAT).

As a plein-air enthusiast, I employ acrylic paint using some watercolour techniques, however more often invented/unconventional applications of media without the use of an easel. I explore diverse ranges of scale and material (be it canvas, wood, or alloy), differentiating rhythmic designs that morph within a vacuum of detailed unity. Consistent themes are that of intention, metaphor, paradigms within paradoxes, and organic expansion supported by meditative practice, breathwork, and mindfulness. My aesthetics evolve as a visual diary evoking emotion, provoking thought, and memory; grounded in healing and yet finding a healthy balance of control. Inspired by connection, people, relationships and patterns found in nature, I appreciate noticing what comes up mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physiologically. My hope for any viewer is that they maintain autonomy in what they see and feel; that each artwork can sustain a timeless versatility, remaining fresh yet familiar upon each glance.