Artist Statement
I have always felt an unexplainable connection to the Native American peoples of the world. I enjoy studying their history and culture, as well as their art. As an artist, I am continually influenced and aware of their natural sense of color, patterns and textures, all derived from nature, that intricately weave their way into the fabric of their cultures. Much, if not all of my most recent works are nature inspired as well. After all, nature is the true artist. My part in the grander scheme is to be a visual translator, so to speak.

Oregon is truly a visual inspiration; it offers a very diverse array of subject matter from high atop the Cascade Range to high desert canyons or the deep green forests and rocky beaches along the coast. Nature, as a divine sculptor is often a recurring theme in my work, from polished river rocks to weather worn trees as subjects. Lighting, composition and timing, are the keys to creating and conveying a special place, mood or one fleeting moment in time. A large part of the decision to retire early from my career was fueled by the desire to explore my full potential as an artist. I can finally take some time; time to wait for that cloud to pass, a fog to burn off or settle, the sun to go down, the moon to come up or the right season.
All of my recent works are captured with a Nikon D300 camera and printed on a 24” Canon, 12 color, Image Prograf series printer with pigment based inks for extended longevity. The paper I have chosen to use is a, heavyweight, Fine Art 100% cotton, with an Ultra Smooth Matte surface for its ability to maintain the fine detail, color and clarity of the work. My imaging technique and visual style, coupled with choice of ink and paper often reflects in the pieces a pleasing painteresque feel.

Image content ranges from the straight forward (what you see, is what I saw) to abstracts and the occasional composite (two or more images married together). Any manipulated images if not obvious, are stated as such. A few of my favorite artists include, Walker Evans, Minor White, Georgia O’Keefe and Edward S. Curtis. I hope you enjoy viewing my works as much as I did creating them.

About Paul Carew
My art interest began early in my childhood town of Ledyard Connecticut. I can vividly recall being fascinated with a beautiful charcoal drawing that hung above my parents’ fireplace mantel. The piece was of a tall ship under full sail, drawn by my great grandfather. My grandma Ira on my dad’s side was also an artist; her wonderful pastoral landscape paintings hung in nearly every room of our house. My formal introduction to the arts started with Greenfield Community College in Greenfield, Massachusetts during the early 70’s, where I earned an Associate degree in Graphic Design. As a graphics major, one of the last requirements for graduation was one semester of photography. At the time, I questioned the logic of the requirement. After all, I was not planning to be a “photographer”! Nevertheless, I borrowed a 35mm range finder camera from a friend and began taking pictures. I went on to receive my Bachelor of Arts degree in Photography from the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. After living and working in Boston for a number of years, I returned to the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, where I landed a job at the University of Massachusetts, with their department of Photographic Services. Throughout my twenty-five years with Photo Service’s I learned a variety of invaluable photographic skills. After Umass, I ran my own business where I focused mainly on digital restoration of old photographs. I also created and maintained several web sites for local business owners. I am an accomplished woodworker, cook and a huge outdoor enthusiast. Early retirement from Umass and a strong desire to move west brought me to present day, beautiful, Central Oregon.

Artist Code: PC