Lafayette-based artist Karen deClouet has a unique view of the world, heavily influenced by the climate and landscapes of her home in South Louisiana and her time in the deserts of the American Southwest. She seamlessly combines the elements of these environments along with the geologic landscapes her father studied when she was a young girl.
“My images are made up of segmented spaces of color that reveal elements of landscape within an experimental application of paint,” said deClouet.
‘Experimental’ is an accurate interpretation of deClouet’s techniques as she constantly finds new ways to explore open space. Her take on perspective and landforms is refreshingly sharp and thoughtful, tightly tying her experience to her vision.
“I usually start my process with a broad application of color through a pour or a palette knife application. I then use geometric shapes or linear shapes to build a space. Sometimes I will also embed photographic references into the work or aspects of landscapes such as trees or perspective,” she commented.
DeClouet’s received her BFA from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and her MFA from the University of Arizona. Although she enjoyed her time in the desert, she was delighted to return to her home in Lafayette where she now stays active in the art and culture community. DeClouet enjoys spending time with her young and growing family, and she is even learning French so that her kids can better participate in the rich culture of South Louisiana. BARE Walls helps to connect her and her family with the creative economy in Lafayette, showcasing her work in multiple Lafayette businesses and bringing merit to her work. She also noted that it’s just plain cool!
“It’s so much fun to go to a public place with my kids and they recognize my work on the walls,” she said.
Being a part of BARE Walls is just one recent artistic accomplishment in the career of deClouet, an original member of the program. She has received numerous awards, namely the Contemporary Art Society Award of Excellence at the Arizona Biennial and a 2017 ArtSpark Grant. She hopes to continue working in the Lafayette creative community and bringing recognition to the talented artists who also work here.
To see more of deClouet’s work, visit her website at www.karendeclouet.com and follow her on Instagram @karendeclouet.
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