Carole A.Werder ARTIST STATEMENT I work as a sculptural painter to explore and interpret the identities of ordinary people I know and to tell their stories. Lately, in addition to people, I have been seeking to interpret various Bible verses in the same manner. Through the metaphorical use of common throw-away and scavenged wooden items; (popsicle sticks, tongue depressors, toothpicks, matches, chopsticks, and second hand finds) I use the ordinary to depict the extraordinary and the natural to reveal the spiritual. My painting structures come off the wall to diminish emotional distance with the viewer. The three dimensionality of my work directly reflects the sensibilities of the many years of catering I did before being able to attend grad school. As an undergrad, my work was all two dimensional. I like the challenge of both constructing with wood and then painting the surfaces to achieve unity, either by conforming color to the surface forms or denying the form to create illusions that fool the eye. Solving various ‘problems’ is enjoyable. How can I narrate without being too illustrative? How can I use items of kitsch without the work being kitsch? In the words of artist Red Grooms ‘How far can I go too far?’ BIO I am a studio artist based in Erie, PA. Twenty years apart, I received both BFA (1974) and MFA (1994) painting degrees from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. I have participated in notable group shows at the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Erie Art Museum, the Butler Institute of American Art, Hall Walls, Woman Made Gallery and various exhibits with the National Association of Women Artists. One person shows have been at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, PA; the Erie Art Museum, the Heeschen Gallery, Meadville, PA; the Sanford Gallery of CSU, Clarion, PA; the HUB-Robeson gallery of PSU, State College, PA. In 2022, I participated in a two person exhibition with Sarah Curry at the Kada Gallery, Erie, PA.