Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Carpenter.
Hi Todd, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been interested in art since I was young. My parents and grandparents have all been artistic, so there were always art supplies around to play with. But I also have a strong interest in science and ended up getting degrees in psychobiology and neuroscience. Later, while I had a job doing R&D for a medical company, I started making paintings in the evening after work. Using paints, panels, and tools that had been my grandfather’s, I started making paintings based on black and white photographs I had shot on film and developed in an improvised darkroom in the bathroom of my apartment. Since the photos were in black and white, I painted in black and white as well, and I came to appreciate how effective monochrome is at conveying the depth and mood of scenes. I eventually left my day job and started taking art more seriously. My first shows were in spaces on Ray Street and in Little Italy, back when both of those neighborhoods had regular art walks. These led to shows in galleries in Los Angeles and elsewhere. Over the years, I have also had teaching jobs in the arts, first in photography and now in painting.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I gave up a stable career to become an artist, it must have seemed strange to some of the people I knew. I don’t make a lot of money as an artist, and navigating the commercial aspects of the art world can be difficult, but I am happy with how things turned out.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Over the years, I have done various types of art, including photography, sculpture, and building mobiles, but the medium I spend the most time with is painting. I primarily paint natural or urban landscapes, and most of the time, I work in grayscale. My work as an artist is influenced by my background in science., and I am particularly interested in the psychology of art. To this end, my paintings often attempt to examine why certain features in paintings have an effect on us, for example, how can we experience the illusion of depth in the flat surface of a painting, or why do some attributes make a landscape more evocative or aesthetically pleasing.
To read statements about my paintings: monochromart.com/about.html
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
When it comes to making art, I think creativity is fundamental: to be an artist means to prioritize innovation and originality. But to have a career in the arts, you have to add perseverance.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.monochromart.com
- Instagram: toddcarpenterart
