About
I've been working as an artist since 2005. I'm largely self-taught though I studied technical drawing and graphic design at school.
I enjoy using colour to create an uplifting and inspirational effect on the viewer and I always aim to create pieces that make the viewer feel good.
Within each creation I like to overlap multiple interconnecting layers, themes, stories and perspectives to create an effect that gives the viewer something new each time they look at it.
I enjoy using colour to create an uplifting and inspirational effect on the viewer and I always aim to create pieces that make the viewer feel good.
Within each creation I like to overlap multiple interconnecting layers, themes, stories and perspectives to create an effect that gives the viewer something new each time they look at it.
Training and Education
I come from an academic background of science and humanities. At university I studied mechanical engineering at Imperial Collage and economics and philosophy at the London School of Economics.
After graduating I began exploring creativity through the arts and started combining my imagination with technical knowledge to create pieces of art.
Although I studied 2D art at school most of my technique comes from learning technical drawing and draftsmanship as an engineer:
After graduating I began exploring creativity through the arts and started combining my imagination with technical knowledge to create pieces of art.
Although I studied 2D art at school most of my technique comes from learning technical drawing and draftsmanship as an engineer:
Design for a Crystal Ceiling Installation - turning engineering and science into art
"Freemasonic Floor" - a fusion of technical drawing and creative expression
Influences and Inspirations
Most of my influences come from the natural world and I'm fascinated by the way things work and interrelate.
I like the Renaissance period of art and, like the artists of that time, I aim to channel scientific and technical ideas into aesthetically pleasing creations:
I like the Renaissance period of art and, like the artists of that time, I aim to channel scientific and technical ideas into aesthetically pleasing creations:
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Mind Maps
I use art as a way of exploring and integrating what's going on in both my conscious and subconscious mind...
To do this I use a technique called Mind Mapping (which is a method of visually organising ideas into a map-like form using both words and pictures). Each individual part of the Mind Map has its own specific meaning and then the individual parts of the map interconnect to form a cohesive whole.
I then colour-in the mind-maps to create pictures that have an underlying story and theme to them:
To do this I use a technique called Mind Mapping (which is a method of visually organising ideas into a map-like form using both words and pictures). Each individual part of the Mind Map has its own specific meaning and then the individual parts of the map interconnect to form a cohesive whole.
I then colour-in the mind-maps to create pictures that have an underlying story and theme to them:
Mind Maps - linking various ideas with words and pictures
"Don't Go There" - a Mind Map with colour
Storytelling
Each of my creations is also a visual dialogue, or an unravelling story in pictures. I create one part of the piece and then respond with another and then another until the piece is complete.
This way each piece unfolds organically and naturally in it's own spontaneous way:
This way each piece unfolds organically and naturally in it's own spontaneous way:
"Phantasmagoria" - a story in pictures
Music
When I'm creating I work to tune into musical vibrations which I then convert into shapes and movements on the page. I then layer the piece up with different "vibrational" parts in the same way that a composer would use different sounds to create a musical effect.
The overall effect is to create a visual resonance that can almost be heard with the eyes:
The overall effect is to create a visual resonance that can almost be heard with the eyes:
"Pebble Together" - overlapping vibrations to create an overall "visual" sound
Colour
I believe in the power of colour to uplift and inspire and I always try to use the the most energetic and vibrant colours I can.
I create a lot of my work using Letraset Promarker pens because their bold and distinctive colour tones:
I create a lot of my work using Letraset Promarker pens because their bold and distinctive colour tones:
"Pyramids" - using vibrant colours to uplift and inspire
Upliftment
I also believe in the power of art to uplift and inspire and I always aim to create pieces that bring a
positive vibration to the viewer and to the environment in which the art is placed.
When I'm creating in situ installations I also aim to create works that complement the surrounding decor and look as though they've always been there:
positive vibration to the viewer and to the environment in which the art is placed.
When I'm creating in situ installations I also aim to create works that complement the surrounding decor and look as though they've always been there:
Mural at Neal's Yard Salad Bar in Covent Garden, London - using art to enhance the environment
Projects
I'm currently working on a few public and community art projects that have the goal of bringing more
colour and creative inspiration to the world...
colour and creative inspiration to the world...
Art-Around-Reading Project
The first is the Art-Around-Reading Project which aims to bring a trail of colourful and uplifting mural art to the urban landscape of Reading (my home town):
Art-Around-Reading Press Coverage
Art-for-the-Schools Project
I'm also working on a project to bring creative inspiration to school children in the Art-for-the-Schools Project - which involves creating in-situ art and creativity workshops for children at their schools:
Art-for-the-Schools Project - bringing colour and creative inspiration to children at school
World-in-Colour Tour
I've also just started my World-in-Colour tour...
This is an International Art Trail that aims to create a series of inter-linking art installations that capture the spirit and essence of each location and then link together to form a unifying, cross-bordered art creation.
The World-in-Colour tour is still in its infancy with the first stop being Amsterdam, Holland (where I'm currently based...)
There are no photos to show from the tour yet, but there will be soon so watch this space (subscribe to the Newsletter below to keep up-to-date with this and other ongoing projects and creations)
This is an International Art Trail that aims to create a series of inter-linking art installations that capture the spirit and essence of each location and then link together to form a unifying, cross-bordered art creation.
The World-in-Colour tour is still in its infancy with the first stop being Amsterdam, Holland (where I'm currently based...)
There are no photos to show from the tour yet, but there will be soon so watch this space (subscribe to the Newsletter below to keep up-to-date with this and other ongoing projects and creations)
Newsletter
"Molecule" - Signed Print prize in the next prize draw...
If you'd like to keep-up-to-date with the latest projects and creations then please enter your name and email address below.
I also have a regular Prize Draw in which I give away free art-related gifts to my newsletter subscribers:
I also have a regular Prize Draw in which I give away free art-related gifts to my newsletter subscribers:
Work-in-Progress Videos
If you'd like to see some of the behind-the-scenes processes I use to create my art then check out the Work-in-Progress videos on my YouTube Channel.
Subscribe to the channel to see when new videos are posted, or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest (@mcarltonart) where I also post new work in progress photos and videos as they're being created:
Subscribe to the channel to see when new videos are posted, or follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest (@mcarltonart) where I also post new work in progress photos and videos as they're being created:
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Work-in-Progress videos on YouTube
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