ARTIST STATEMENT – AMY CARANI
I began exploring with acrylic paint, bold color design, and abstract compositions that typically consist of various shapes and lines about twenty years ago. In various weights, a black line surrounds and defines the blocks of color. This black line was originally created in a wide, flat brush. The results were very wobbly. In addition to the composition and design process, I wanted the paintings to be more precise and clean with precision craftsmanship.
When painting, I do not use tape or masks to create the black lines. I developed a system of working with rulers, compass bows, and even made some of my own tools for the ability to work larger. The final outer edge black acrylic line work is in fact freehand with a small brush.
My paintings have been on display at The Dubuque Museum of Art, The Wright Museum of Art, The Trout Museum of Art, Rockford Art Museum, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, various University of Wisconsin Art Galleries, and a few performing art center galleries in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Influences include, but are not limited to, music, pop art, pop culture, comic books, nature, math, and science.
I live in Monroe, WI with my supportive husband and beautiful daughter.
EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS
2021 – Trout Museum of Art, 41st Annual SECURA Fine Arts Exhibition, Appleton, WI
2021 – Las Laguna Art Gallery, Painterly, Group Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA
2020 – Trout Museum of Art, Made to Order, Group Exhibition, Appleton, WI
2020 – Trout Museum of Art, Art is Her, Solo Exhibition, Appleton, WI
2020 – Trout Museum of Art, 40th Annual SECURA Fine Arts Exhibition, Appleton, WI
2019 – Artless Bastard Art Gallery, “Lyrical Muse”, Juried Group Exhibit, De Pere, WI
“Dream Police” won Best in Show
2019 – Dubuque Museum of Art, 2019 DUMA Biennial, Juried Exhibition, Dubuque, IA
2019 – Wright Museum of Art, 2019 Beloit and Vicinity, Juried Group Exhibit, Beloit, WI
2019 – Trout Museum of Art, 39th Annual SECURA Fine Arts Exhibition, Appleton, WI
2019 – Old Courthouse Arts Center, 32nd Women’s Works Exhibition, Woodstock, IL
2019 – UW Hospital and Clinics, WAAC Group Member Exhibit, Madison, WI
2018 – Rockford Art Museum’s 2018 Biennial, Juried Group Exhibit, Rockford, IL
2018 – Madison Museum of Contemporary Art 2018 Holiday Art Fair, Madison, WI
2018 – Winter Art Fair Off the Square 2018 Holiday Gift and Art Fair, Madison, WI
2017 – Madison Museum of Contemporary Art 2017 Holiday Art Fair, Madison, WI
2017 – Winter Art Fair Off the Square 2017 Holiday Gift and Art Fair, Madison, WI
2016 – UW Memorial Union South, Gallery 1308, “Volume One”, Solo Show, Madison, WI
2016 – UW Hospital and Clinics, WAAC Group Member Exhibit, Madison, WI
2016 – Madison Museum of Contemporary Art 2016 Holiday Art Fair, Madison, WI
2015 – Portage Center for the Arts, Drury Gallery, “Composition”, Solo Show, Portage, WI
2015 – Madison Museum of Contemporary Art 2015 Holiday Art Fair, Madison, WI
2015 – Winter Art Fair Off the Square 2015 Holiday Gift and Art Fair, Madison, WI
2014 – Overture Center for the Arts, Gallery III, “Expression in Color and Design”
Three-Person Exhibit with artists Laurel Fletcher and Brigitte Behm-Manoogian in Madison, WI
2014 – Madison Museum of Contemporary Art 2014 Holiday Art Fair, Madison, WI
2013 – UW Memorial Union, Class of 1925 Gallery, “Motion Studies”, Solo Show, Madison, WI
2013 – Overture Center for the Arts, Playhouse Gallery, “RCC 40th Anniversary”, Juried Group Exhibition, Madison, WI
2013 – Madison Museum of Contemporary Art 2013 Holiday Art Fair, Madison, WI
2012 – Madison Museum of Contemporary Art 2012 Holiday Art Fair, Madison, WI
CHARITY/VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Hero Initiative – Fundraiser for Comic Artists that need assistance, 2006 – Present
Overture Center for the Arts, “Frostiball” Gala Fundraiser Madison, WI
“Wonderland” painting raised $2,000 in January 2016.
Dane County Rape Crisis Center – Donated Graphic Design Services, 2010 – 2015
AWARDS
Best in Show, Artless Bastard Art Gallery, August 2019
Community Shares Backyard Hero – Nominated by the Dane County Rape Crisis Center in April 2012.
MEMBERSHIPS
Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople, Inc. (WAAC), 2015 – Present
EDUCATION
Northern Illinois University, BFA in Illustration, May 2001
- Curated the Permanent Art Collection
- Managed the Holmes Student Center Art Gallery.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
AMY & AMY DESIGNS
Owner, Fine Art Artist, 2010 – Present
AMY & AMY DESIGNS
Owner, Fine Art Artist and Freelance Graphic Designer, 2010 – 2016
VIDA San Francisco, CA
Wearable Art Clothing Designer, January 2016 – 2017
