Carolyn Aberman
I think of myself as a self-trained, mom-trained artist. My mother exposed me and my children to art and art appreciation at a very early age. She made sure our household was equipped with the tools and materials to explore and create. Like most artists, I have worked in a wide variety of media, primarily painting, printmaking, and pottery. Betty was an accomplished and prolific watercolorist, she continued to paint well into her 90s.
When my children (Alex, pictured below) and their cousins each turned five my mother asked each to create a self-portrait in her studio. She provided them with a sheet of professional grade archival paper and a wide variety of art materials. She then had each of the finished portraits professionally framed and hung in her home (nine in all). Later in life, she told me she did this because she wanted her grandchildren to understand, and be confident in the fact, that their art was real art, and that they were real artists. She gave each one, at the age of five, a gift for life. Today each of my adult children incorporate art and creativity into both their personal and professional lives.
As I write this in August 2020, we are living in very turbulent surreal times. Our country is deeply divided, we are in the midst of a global pandemic and fighting for social justice. These historic times will certainly bring a deeper perspective to my work. They already have.
I hope you enjoy my work. It will continue to evolve as I continue to learn, grow and open myself to the world around us.
