Nela Rachelle Carney

Statement

Through references to nature and human culture, my artwork embodies the unity of energy conveyed within the subject and its surrounding auras. The purpose of my art is to show how different energies interact in a complex, yet harmonious balance. 

Energies are expressed through a vivacious calculation of lively color, line, and pattern. Variable repetitions throughout the composition dictate the internal and external reactions between animate and inanimate subject matter. Negative space is treated just as importantly as the positive spaces of the composition. There is no void in nature. 

Spirituality displayed through women’s interactions is a common theme in my works. Spiritual offerings, ceremonies, and rituals are usual inspirations for each composition. A mixture of cultures including, Indian, Aztec, Egyptian, and Japanese influence the overall presentation of the women’s appearances. By doing so, I have created a culture entirely of its own. In particular, the women’s faces are influenced by various ancient tribal masks and face paint. However, I fuse the emotional aspects of the subject's face with the mask; the woman is not overcome with culture, she is the culture. 

It is with the hope that the viewer of these works will appreciate the intimate relationships that humankind and the natural world share.