Carl Keck is a New England based artist who approached us out of the blue. He is that one of a kind special customer who trusts our choices, accepts what paper we provide him before he even looks at it, never mind touches it, and transforms it into something that is entirely his own, without any fanfare. A lot goes unspoken, but understood. One day we may meet Carl in person, but in the meantime, we enjoy his generous amounts of prints he sends us, not just emails of images, but actual prints he mails, as well as some poetic emails we receive. We actually featured Carl’s work a few blogs ago, and although it showcased his wonderful and prodigious talents, we did not have the opportunity to ask Carl personally his take on the paper he uses, his work, and that parallel world where Rembrandt meets Paperwoman. Here is our conversation. Enjoy!
PCI: How would you describe your work?
CK: Our world is what we perceive it to be. Our experiences influence what we can and cannot see. My art is about putting down as quickly and clearly as possible, those things I experience. What I see around me sets off a cascade of thoughts and usually coalesces into an idea. I try with all my heart to express that idea. Since all thoughts are abstract when you try to think about them, my art, when it’s good, lies on that border where the things I see meet the thoughts that those things emote in me. Paper, any paper, allows me to translate my inspirations quickly. With woodblocks, it allows me to rapidly experiment with additions, color and textures. I don’t want to lose the essence of what insight I may have to share.
PCI: How did we help you navigate through our extensive collection and your previous knowledge of washi?
CK: A few years ago I contacted Paper Connection and was sent some papers: many decorative papers I rarely use, and some others which I gladly exhausted. At that point I had to have more.
PCI: Wow, we’d love to be a fly on the wall for that one! Carl, thank you so much. We really appreciate your insight, your support of washi, and of course, your work that you so generously share with us.
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