From her beginnings in Montreal, Canada, to many years in the tropics of the Cayman Islands, Monique Carr has settled in the mountainous region of east Tennessee. Each chapter of her life has inspired her abstracted landscape paintings, including her new collection of work to be displayed at Charleston, South Carolina-based Dare Gallery in a show titled Coastal Hues. 
Into the Bliss, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24"
“[Carr’s] paintings have been popular among a broad spectrum of our clients at both of our galleries,” says Tim Arnold, Dare Gallery art consultant. “The coastal hues, along with the panoramic vistas, draw people to them—we often hear that her pieces are such a ‘breath of fresh air.’ Considering the atmospheric nature of her work, there may not be a more fitting reaction.”
As Arnold suggests, Carr offers her viewers an escape from the daily stresses of reality and transports them into scenes found in her imagination, yet are also inspired by her surroundings. An added benefit are the many techniques she uses to create “exciting little treasures” she leaves behind.
Dazzling Lagoon, oil on canvas, 30 x 40"
“My techniques always evolve, and I use different tools,” explains Carr. “In this new series, I’ve been using sponges in my underpainting, to create big shapes. I also like to build up layers and like to play with luminosity with overlapping warm and cool colors. I like this luminous effect as well as creating atmospheric perspective; the feeling of humidity in the air or showing that something is far away or the light coming through the clouds. It’s all about trying different tools and having fun discovering what you can do with these items. I’ll even use a hair comb for creating texture…When people look closer, I want to create surprises as you approach the painting.”
Upon closer examination of the coastal scene Into the Bliss, there are surprise effects such as green-colored splash marks and small sailboats on the right side of the painting, barely in view, but all the more reason to invite the viewer in. Dare to Dream, a predominately sky scene, also shows colorful splashes and unique brushstrokes. 
Slipping Away, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24"
Carr will be introducing a new series of work for the show that will include trees, such as palms inspired by her life in the Cayman Islands. “A very new theme for me,” Carr adds. “I usually paint ocean and clouds, but the trees are new and I’m very excited about this collection.”
In pieces such as Dazzling Lagoon, a very tropical scene of water and palm trees, Carr still finds a way to implement new, exciting elements that serve to pull the viewer closer. “The underpainting is acrylic,” she explains, “and I used big sponges for the larger shapes and then used a brayer (a small painting roller) in my left, non-dominant hand, to create trees and give a different look. The scribbles you see on the left-hand side are also created with my left hand and looks as if I could be writing, like a script, and simulates tree branches, but more like calligraphic branches.”
Dare to Dream, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36"
It’s Carr’s hope that collectors will find a little excitement in her work and find a brief escape from reality. “They can come into my world,” she says, “and look at the paintings and feel that they’re in them; enjoy the scene and the texture.”
Coastal Hues will be on view October 1 through 30, with an artist reception during Charleston’s Art Walk, Friday, October 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. —
Dare Gallery
31 Broad Street • Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 853-5002 • www.daregallery.net
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