We were lucky to catch up with Larry Carter recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Larry, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

A lifelong doodler, I had always desired to turn drawings into paintings, with no idea how to start. In 2010, at age 45, I purchased a small oil painting of a western mountain scene at an estate sale. After a couple of week of looking at it, I decided I could try to make something similar. I purchased a beginner’s oil paint kit and a small 8×10″ canvas and went to work. It turned out well and I entered it in a local show. I was shocked to win 1st place! The paint was not even dry yet.

I began painting every subject that interested me, with many but not all turning out quite well. Even with some pretty nice paintings done, I was never really happy with the realistic style I painted in. I simply did not know how to break away and be more creative. By chance, I ran across an article of an artist who paints an abstract background, and then studies it like looking for faces in the clouds to find and accentuate the subject.

I tried this technique, created my best painting to date and never looked back. I wished I had started painting earlier in my life, but I wonder if I would have discovered this style of painting if I had. Maybe it was best to start so late!

Larry, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I described in the first section how I got started in the creative business. Growing up, my mom was a talented artist. I always loved the paintings and artistic meanderings she created. My father is Native American, from the Chickasaw Tribe of Oklahoma. I share this heritage, and it inspires much of my work.

I typically do not try to express some deep meaning or support specific causes with my art. I strive to create art that is visually stimulating. I want it to evoke an emotional response to the viewer upon first glance. To do that, I emphasize strong colors and bold contrasts. I want the painting to reach out and grab the viewer and pull them in for closer inspection.

Once I have drawn someone in, I hope they see the thick, flowing brush strokes; the swipes and cutting across the canvas with a loaded palette knife. And then there’s the subject matter woven into the mix – from bison to horses, Native American faces, riders, warriors, hunters. In these I strive to relay a sense of times long ago – a snapshot of one moment in time in the life of North America’s indigenous peoples.

I never grow tired of looking into my paintings with abstract backgrounds and loose, colorful subjects – there is just so much to see all over the canvas. I want my collectors to never become bored with seeing my art in their homes and businesses, but rather to always have it evoke a pleasant memory each time they spend a few moments gazing into it.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As a beginning Native American artist, I very much looked forward to competing in art competitions sponsored by and featuring Native tribes and artists. I believed my art was fresh and unique, and not the least bit traditional which would make me stand out from the crowd.

It took a few shows for me to realize that the judges I encountered at these shows much preferred traditional Native art over the abstract pieces I created and loved.

I pivoted away from participating in Native only shows and feel my art fits in better with contemporary exhibitions open to everyone.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I have many people who love my art and want to commission a piece. What they do not understand about my art is that my best pieces have an unplanned subject matter when the process begins. Only after I have an abstract background that is to my liking, I then study it from every angle until the subject matter reveals itself to me.

Admirers of my art think that I can simply produce and planned subject of their liking on a whim. I’ve had some very strange subject matter requests, and try as I might, these just never turn out to be among my best work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @bigskysooner
• Facebook: Big Sky Sooner Art – Larry Carter Chickasaw Artist