Edna Casman
Albuquerque Artist – Abstract, Patterned Images, Landscapes

Artist Statement - I can remember the excitement of art classes in third grade and have loved painting and drawing since then. About 13 years ago I finally devoted the time and energy needed to seriously develop my art work. I rented a studio and began working every day, all day. At first I copied photos I had taken and then I did some plein air paintings. I began to realize that I was more intrigued by the shapes and colors than by any identifiable image. I was influenced by the paintings of Cy Twombly and Joan Mitchell and decided to experiment more freely.

Just applying paint to canvas makes its own magic and I do find this totally engaging in itself. But what makes a painting worth while is another question. The challenge seems to be in creating a painting of substance while playing with form and color perhaps too personal to be of immediate interest to others. I really paint for myself, but I consider my job, in the end, is to be able to capture people’s attention and amuse or please them solely because of the visual impact. I expect to be at this work a long time.

Edna experiments by collaborating with fellow artist Chuck Dunbar, using black pastel on Bristol paper. "We work on each
drawing simultaneously or by taking turns. There are no rules. We draw over, smudge and erase our own or each other's marks as we see fit. We are finished when neither of us has any more to add. Our drawings run the gamut from "just" marks to landscapes, unidentified flowering objects, visitors, big bends, silvered drawings and 'who know what images there may be to come?"

Edna was interviewed on Champagne Sundays on October 12, 2008. To listen to the entire, unedited  show, click here. To listen to Edna's interview, please double click on the Play Button below.


Exhibits
November, 2008
Collaborative Drawings by Chuck Dunbar and Edna Casman
The Johnsons of Madrid Gallery
2843 State Highway 14 North
Madrid, NM 87010
505-471-1054

February 6 – April 4, 2009
Las Cruces Museum of Art
490 North Water Street
Las Cruces, NM 88001
505-541-2221
Exhibition: “Unidentified Flowering Objects”
Collaborative Drawings by Chuck Dunbar and Edna Casman, Black Pastel on Paper