Themah Carolle-Casey
Themah Carolle-Casey
When did you first become interested in art?
I think I’ve had a pen or brush in my hand since I was very young and was influenced by my mother who used to sketch and write.
When I was six or seven I was given my first camera which had a little viewfinder that popped up at the top – I loved it. Since then I think I tended to see things through that viewfinder. I was also fortunate enough to have an art teacher who encouraged me even though I was unable to pursue my dream of being an artist until a lot later.
Has your style changed from when you first began as an artist?
I believe my paintings have developed over the years. I don’t know if I’m objective enough to say anything else.
What style of art do you use most?
I’m not sure what you mean by style. I don’t really think of style when I paint – I just paint. I often have no idea what the painting will when I sit or stand in front of a canvas and am frequently amazed by what comes out of the brush.
What medium do you use?
I mainly use oil on canvas, and in Italy I discovered these wonderful gesso panels, which I love using as they give a different quality – the painting seems to take on a life of its own. I sometimes use watercolour and will pick up a pencil and sketch.
What made you choose that medium?
I first started painting in oil in my early twenties and then when I started painting again it seemed the obvious choice. I like the way I can play with it, it’s like a dance, fluid ….there’s a freedom to it that I don’t find with other mediums.
Do your ideas come from life or imagination?
Ah, a difficult question. As I said earlier, often they just appear on the canvas. I suppose, for me, it’s a meditative process, a letting go and allowing something to happen. Other times, for commissions, I take photos and paint from those, depending on the subject of course. I seem to be asked to do house portraits at the moment.
How do you choose your images and colours?
I think that’s more of an intuitive process unless I already have an idea of what I’m going to paint.
Who is your favourite artist?
Ooooh, I like many artist’s – don’t think I have a favourite. I love Turner who, for me, will always be a painter of light, Monet for his colour, and now with the internet it’s possible to see some incredible art.
What is your favourite piece of work by yourself?
I don’t have a favourite and I would find it hard to choose one. The more I think about it the harder it becomes.
There are the four paintings of “dance and the elements” and one which recently sold “la barca tranquilla”.
How much time (on average) does it take to complete a work?
The oil paintings can take from a few days to a few months depending on whether there is a time it has to be finished by and, of course, inspiration.
How well do you take criticism?
I’m not sure. I’d like to think I would respond well to constructive criticism and hope I have done. Often it is more useful than compliments, which, of course, are very welcome and good to receive.
What do you do to overcome a ‘block’?
I either just turn up and sit in front of the canvas until something changes or I go for a walk and spend time in nature which never fails to inspire me. Sometimes I write my way through.
How do you know something is ‘finished’? Is it easy to walk away?
I just know. It’s as if something says, “That’s it”, and, no I have no problem walking away from it.
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Have you had exhibits in galleries?
I exhibited in a gallery several years ago, in Gibraltar, but I mainly show my work privately.
Have you any exhibits in galleries planned for the future?
Not at the moment but I am always open to the opportunity to do so.
What are your plans for the future?
To create, create, create……there are many more paintings waiting to be expressed. Naturally, I would like to be able to sell more paintings and have more commissions and maybe get my work into the corporate world. I love to create environments with my work and would like to find more ways to do this.
What advice would you give new artists?
Keep creating, don’t be put off. Accept advice and criticism graciously then find your own voice.
Gentle, endearing is how I would describe your paintings. Thank you for the interview 
You can see more of Themah’s beautiful work at her new blog http://www.art-unframed.com
