2024 Small Work Show artist Charlene Goldman

No artist wants to be put into a box. I paint whatever strikes me, reaching all the time to stretch my creativity. There is great humor in life, and in one moment at the market or at the National Western Stock Show, a whole world appears on my canvas. An abstract of the spirit of the horse can inspire conversation and healing. Or the routine communal event of banding and branding on the family farm can lead to a day of curiosity and bliss for two toddlers that brave a ninety-five-degree day on the plains in excitement and joy.

I may use an abstract brush stroke in relationship with a realistic concept creating an image that spurs on strong opinions. The best comment I ever received was meant as a criticism, “when you paint like this, you’re just inviting questions.” In response, I say thank you! I want people to dig, to discover, to ask questions and come up with new ideas, thoughts and inspirations in their own life. It’s indifference that you don’t want.

I change every day, so my art changes every day. I paint the way I want to paint, which may not be the way I ultimately will paint. I love both reality and the abstract and strive to create a balance in my art and in how I live my life. Life is full of abstract moments but take one step back and you see the people, the community, and the nation all working together creating and living beauty. I hope to always maintain childlike quality of self, less based on realism and more on innocence and playfulness, not overrun with details, rules or structure, doing whatever I want in art and never put in a box.

Artist Statement
Charlene Goldman