Carolyn Oberst

Small Monkey Puzzle

Carolyn Oberst — 2010-07-26T02:00:51Z

Realizing my unique wood relief paintings have a puzzle-like quality, I decided to create a wood relief puzzle as a multiple work of art. The 23-piece puzzle, (titled Small Monkey Puzzle), based on one of my paintings, is an interactive piece of art for the whole family. Challenging for younger children, parents can work with them to put it together. When not being played with, it fits together in its frame and sits in the custom made stand, that comes with it, as a charming piece of art for a child's room, or any room in the house.

Each puzzle is hand-painted by me using VOC-free totally non-toxic paint (yes, it can go harmlessly in a mouth), and handcrafted by a master Vermont craftsman using sustainably grown wood.

The slogan that describes this work best is, “Art you can play with!”

Orders take 2-3 weeks, faster if a rush is needed. Contact me for pricing information. There is both retail and wholesale pricing available.

You can contact me directly through the contact link on this website or writing to carolyn www.carolynoberst.com

(How to assemble the Small Monkey Puzzle...)

Carolyn Oberst — 2010-07-25T01:12:00Z

- Paintings, Collages and Reliefs

Relief Paintings

Carolyn Oberst — 2008-02-09T10:04:00Z

My work falls on the cusp of fun and scary. These most recent images are a comment on the state of our contemporary lives. They are fractured and frantic, but also animated and colorful.

The vintage toy images are used to express that childhood, and by implication, adult life as well, isn't what it used to be. We're all more fractured, busier, and bombarded with input than we ever were before.

On the other hand, complication, juxtapositions, multi-tasking, etc., can be fun and interesting. Although challenging, our modern lives are not dull or boring. The oil on wood relief and bright colors give the paintings a hopeful, happy feel, capturing the upbeat side of this new order. In this way I'm depicting both the positive (fun) and negative (scary) sides of these issues and giving expression to many feelings at the same time.

Sock Doll Drawings + Collage

Carolyn Oberst — 2008-02-08T21:48:00Z

- Paintings, Collages and Reliefs

Paintings

Carolyn Oberst — 2008-02-06T11:17:00Z

These paintings are based on collage drawings of vintage doll still lives and have the same underlining meaning as the relief paintings. The turmoil yet frantic fun of today's world.

The original drawings were cut and pasted together to make a new image on which the painting is based. They are oil on canvas. After I had done a few of these canvas pieces, I came up with the idea of making the images dimensional, and began the process of using wood relief. Cutting shapes in different thicknesses to create the relief paintings above.

Sewn Collages

Carolyn Oberst — 2008-02-05T19:02:00Z

- Paintings, Collages and Reliefs

Distressed Doll Paintings

Carolyn Oberst — 2008-02-05T03:19:00Z

Artists have historically used dolls as subjects. They have human qualities without being human which gives them a surreal edge, and they were, in fact, popular with the Surrealists. In addition to their surreal qualities, their reference to childhood automatically has a charged emotional impact.

The dolls I've used in these paintings have an additional “charge” in that they are usually troubled in some way. Frequently they are broken, or their outfits are torn or dirty. They may be in a disturbing or unusual setting. Or they could be coupled or grouped to produce an interesting interaction. I look for subjects that have a compelling visual interest; their clothes, their faces, expressions, etc., all figure into it. The paintings of the dolls can resolve in many ways. They can be scary, sweet, moving, disturbing, poignant, or provoke mixed emotions. My aim is to go directly to the heart of the innocence and haunting residue of childhood.

In this series the framing element is an integral part of the piece, which helps to give each painting a singular look.

Other Doll Paintings

Carolyn Oberst — 2008-02-04T01:18:00Z

- Paintings, Collages and Reliefs

Cross Shaped Endangered Species Paintings

Carolyn Oberst — 2008-02-01T22:04:00Z

This series is entitled: “The Crosses We Bear”. Various endangered species, habitats, and cultures are depicted on cross-shaped canvases. They range in size from large landscapes to smaller paintings of endangered species and plants. The cross shape gives the images greater impact by creating a forceful visual message that depicts the dire circumstances the earth is facing with the potential loss of these species and (...) - Paintings, Collages and Reliefs

Framed Still Life Paintings

Carolyn Oberst — 2008-01-13T16:47:00Z

This series of paintings are presented using found wooden “dresser-back” frames, which I have refurbished to fit the image. Two of these still lives have the feeling of “altar” pieces and are titled as such.

Images may be combined with objects on a shelf in front of the painting, or the painting might move right out on to the frame. These elements give the work a singular look and a sculptural quality.

While painted with great (sometimes painstaking) detail, the quality of the paint in all these paintings is tactile and not photographic. My influences in this series come from the past, including Rousseau, Gauguin, and Kahlo. My influences from the present include contemporary folk and naive artists. Their spirit informs this work.