Tacoma's Art at Work Month! Q&A with artist Carolyn Burt

On November 6th and 7th from 10am-4pm, studios and artist are opening their spaces up to the public for Tacoma's Art at Work, featuring forty-four locations throughout Tacoma.

City Arts spoke with some of the artists participating in this exhibition to give you a taste of what's in store. 

Name: Carolyn Burt.

Primary artistic medium/media: Acrylic, watercolor and ink.

Studio street address: 3330 N. Villard St.

Price per square foot of studio to rent:  I made sure that my house was paid off before I retired, so I do not rent space. Three and a half years ago my husband and I converted our downstairs into our studios….half is my art studio and half is his music studio. He built a storage area in the garage for my paintings, show tent and supplies.

Hours spent per week working in studio: 30 + hours.

What you’re working on now: I am currently working on a painting of my daughter and grand-daughter when my daughter returned home after a year in Iraq. I am trying to capture the joy and excitement of that reunion. I usually have several pieces going…I am also experimenting with the use of ink combined with other media like watercolor and acrylic.

Most dangerous tool in your studio: My mat cutter.

Weirdest material(s) you’re currently working with: I have been trying to find a use for vintage lace doilies and some ultra thin gold leaf I was given years ago, but never quite knew how I wanted to use it.

Mental health “drug” of choice: When I need to relax and ease my mind, I like to eat chocolate, potato chips, drink Mountain Dew and either immerse myself in painting or sleep.

Favorite part about your studio space: I don’t have to drive anywhere to get there. When I get the urge to paint, it is readily available. Best of all, I get most of my creative energy at night, so when I can’t sleep, or get a brainstorm in the middle of the night, I can go down to the studio in my sleepwear and work. Sharing a space with my husband is nice because I can listen to him practice his singing and guitar playing as I paint. I also have a TV, radio and CD player available, but mostly I enjoy the quiet time.

Least favorite part about your studio space:  I’d like to have even more space.  When I am working on several things at once, it can get crowded. Since I work in several mediums, I need a lot of storage area as well as work space.

Your favorite completed work: Attached is a favorite recent painting of a man I happened to see at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. What struck me was the mood of the scene…he was listening to music coming from the many night clubs, sitting outside “Chillin’ Out." The way the glow of lights reflected on his leather jacket and face caught my attention. I tried to capture the essence of the evening and feel of the moment. I did a whole series of musicians and street scenes inspired from this trip.  I call the series “Boogie, Blues, and all that Jazz."

Read more about Carolyn Burt and check in on the City Arts Blog for more interviews with Tacoma artists all this week.