Carla Forrest

Born in Oneonta, New York / Works in Albuquerque, New Mexico

BIO

Award-winning artist Carla Forrest paints luminescent works inspired by direct observation of nature and life. A first-generation Ukrainian American, Forrest is captivated by the color and value contrasts of contemporary expressionistic works. Honored as a Local Treasure, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in studio art from State University of New York, Master of Science in Teaching Visual Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology, and Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Learning and Instructional Technologies from University of New Mexico.

I approach art as an observer of the soul, enlightening the viewer about the presence, wonder, and dignity of nature and life. I want the viewer to value place and person in a space of spirit and heart and bring this illumination into their personal environments. While painting, I think how insignificant and unimportant we are in relation to natural elements like sky, mountains, rivers, foliage, and fauna. This direct observation of nature and presence inspires my spectral luminescent works.