Carmen Badeau

As a resident of New Mexico, I am cognizant of the fact that the western and southwestern part of the United States has a car culture that you don't see elsewhere. As a result, there is an abundance of old vehicles to paint! Due to the dry climate and lack of salt air, metal rusts at a much slower rate, thus preserving the metal in these old vehicles. Eventually, they will all rust unless they are constantly maintained. So, I feel I am preserving a recorded history by painting many of the old cars and trucks. When I work with old vehicles, I like for them to be the central focus of the painting and the background secondary. I will often use an imaginary landscape to place the car or truck. At other times, I will have a specific place in mind. While I do paint primarily the old vehicles, it is by no means the only subject matter I like. I have done many landscapes, seascapes, and floral scenes as well. With all my paintings, I try to use light and shadows to push the viewer into the scene to evoke a memory of place and time. For me, it's probably the most challenging aspect of my art. Though I have worked, and continue to work, in many mediums, oil paint is my primary medium as I love the versatility and blending ability of oil paints. I currently have artworks in collections across the U. S. as well as in Spain and Germany.

I was born and raised in El Paso, TX, where my art education started early with my parents, who were both artistic. My mother drew in charcoal and sculpted, and my father was an early found object artist. As a result, becoming a student of art at an early age was a given, leading to a degree in fine arts. I have been a part of many exhibitions in Texas and New Mexico where I have received first place blue ribbon awards in both states. Though I have worked, and continue to work, in many mediums, oil paint is my primary medium as I love the versatility and blending ability of oil paints. I love experimenting, however, and am rediscovering watercolor and mixing it with gouache. Staying active in the artistic community is important to me, so I try to enter as many exhibitions as possible. I've earned awards in both Texas and New Mexico. Currently, I have artworks in collections across the U. S. as well as in Spain and Germany.

2-D, Drawing, Painting (all materials)