"When I was given a printed commission project, I felt drawn to cutting and tearing paper. With paper, I was suddenly able to create ART as I SEE it. Every color and quality of light is a separate shape, an individual piece. I could draw with my scissors and sculpt with my hands by tearing and layers"
Carswell graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Dramatic Art: Theatre Design. After working several years in the Theatre industry, she decided to pursue Art Education and earned her Texas teaching certificate in Art and Theatre. Teaching High School Art was the perfect platform to rigorously perfect her technical skills and try out new art methods and materials.
In 2017 Carswell left the classroom to finally pursue being an ‘Artist’ full-time. "When I was given a printed commission project, I felt drawn to cutting and tearing paper. With paper, I was suddenly able to create ART as I SEE it. Every color and quality of light is a separate shape, an individual piece. I could draw with my scissors and sculpt with my hands by tearing and layers. As I work, I include sourced papers from withdrawn library books, discontinued wallpapers and forgotten children’s books. Memories, hidden treasures and stories are woven into my scenes and seeing one of my pieces is more than a glance, it is an investigation into an intricate visual performance composed of countless tiny pieces".
Carswell continues to push her paper visions into large scale landscapes, abstract florals and portraits. She looks forward to seeing her Austin city and Texas naturescapes as her muse and incorporate scenes, figures and places she goes into her ongoing body of creative paper artwork. "I hope to remind people of the past, pull them into the present and engage them in a closer look at the colors and vibrancy of life today".