Elena Caravela
Elena Caravela’s fascination with the human face and the contortion of subtle, fleeting and intimidate human gestures culminate in her oil paintings, which portray such moments. These are instances in which we can all relate. Her varied series of works offer heartfelt and again, subtle insights into both cultural and political ideals. Women of all ages appear in her work as strong and interesting individuals. The outward standard of the model’s beauty is of little interest to Elena. Instead she portrays every individual as unique and therefore beautiful. A School of Visual Arts alumna, Elena has exhibited widely and has garnered awards for her painting and portraiture. She has also worked as an illustrator. Her conveyance of emotion and the inner signature of her subjects is demonstrated in that work as well.
Q&A
What's the purpose or goal of your work?
I make art in an earnest communication of my innermost thoughts, notions, ideas and beliefs. It’s an actual need to create and express.
How can your work affect societal issues?
Art is able to instantly and or subliminally plant a seed of recognition. Therefore art is able to communicate beyond words. Often societal issues that become lost in jargon can be presented in a glance, for the viewers inspection, settling in a place of vulnerability. A place that may block the meaning of words. I try to reach that place with my work.
What are your favorite and least favorite parts of professional art?
Ah, my favorite parts of working professionally is the process of deciding on an idea, working out a composition that best (to my mind), expresses that idea, and creating the piece. I do not consider what will sell or what is popular at the moment. That said, my least favorite part is promoting the work. It eats into precious time for making art.
Do you have a network of other artists, and how do they support you?
Yes. I love the feedback from artists all over the world via blogging and posting on the internet. I’m fortunate to have met in person some of these artists, and they have become friends. Also, teaching can be surprisingly supportive to the instructor. I have found in doing so that students from different generations provide input from their unique prospectives. I treasure their comments and insights.
How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?
I often feel a tug from my work to attend to a life chore or a visa versa. My heart and head often function as a split hard drive. Family, friends and real life on one side and creative thought and action on the other. They both run continuously. Pulling from one to another almost always creates a rub of conflict.
Describe your ideal working environment.
I’ve always worked at home. Early days on my kitchen table, then coopting a small bedroom in my house. And now a new home with a large studio that has always intentionally been a “studio”. It is truly a dream come true as my ideal working environment. I am so very grateful.