Carol Arseno

Biography

Carol Arseno is a self-taught painter from New Brunswick. Born in Montreal in 1970 to Acadian parents, Carol has always felt a certain pull between Acadie and Montreal. She considers herself to have a dual "nationality," both Acadian and Québécois. This identity has shaped her life, as she has spent many years living between Acadie and Quebec.

In 1988, at the age of 18, Carol embarked on a deeply artistic journey. She explored fashion design at Lasalle College in Montreal before entering Dawson College to study commercial photography. However, Carol quickly realized that the academic environment was not for her, feeling that it stifled her freedom of expression. Nonconformist, rebellious, and uncompromising, Carol spent her twenties navigating various disciplines and artistic explorations, eventually discovering painting during this time.

In 1999, Carol exhibited her photographic works alongside two paintings in a group exhibition, where her immense talent was first recognized. Unfortunately, life’s demands pulled her away from her artistic career, and it was only 25 years later that she reemerged as an artist.

Carol’s works radiate freedom, vibrant femininity, and boldness. Her paintings are distinguished by their bright and colorful depictions of female faces and bodies. The central themes in her work celebrate women and often highlight social issues such as women’s rights and freedoms. Carol is also deeply moved by issues like racial discrimination and misogyny, which will undoubtedly appear in her future works. As a feminist artist, Carol thrives through painting, offering authentic and remarkable pieces. Her message is clear, yet at times subtle. Her artworks are provocative, sometimes delicate, and serve as a revealing expression of herself.

Artistic Approach

When creation stems from a deep need, planning isn’t always necessary. For Carol, her process begins with music playing in the morning, a coffee in hand, as she immerses herself in painting. In this creative space, time seems to stop, and she dives in wholeheartedly. Though it may seem simple, it is far from it. Her works address subjects that have always been close to her heart, such as women's rights and the female experience. Carol primarily works with acrylic paint on large canvases and often incorporates gold leaf into her pieces. The size of her canvases amplifies her message, making it loud and powerful.

Her use of vibrant colors—often blues, pinks, yellows, and greens—outlined in black or white emphasizes the forms of her subjects. She often uses acrylic paint pens to trace these forms, adding definition to her characters.

Occasionally, Carol writes words on her paintings to accentuate the emotion or concept behind her message. She discards the politeness and delicacy that women have long been expected to embody. In her work, Carol wants viewers to feel feminism, the desire to be heard as a woman, while also showcasing the beauty behind these emotions. Her art celebrates women in their entirety, a spontaneous and deeply felt expression. Her surroundings, current events related to the female condition, and her own personal experiences are integral to her sources of inspiration.