Karle Norman
Karle Norman is an artist living in Buffalo, NY. Born into a conservative religious group that emphasized strict adherence to the Bible, he used art as an escape. He credits his grandmother, an artist herself, with instilling the desire to maintain a creative practice.
Visit his work on display and for sale at The Monocle now through February.
What is the biggest inspiration for your pieces over time or for your current work? The biggest inspiration for my work comes from a desire to express some small gesture in a portrait or detail in a landscape that gives the feeling of a place without capturing it in a photorealistic way. I want the viewer to understand and overlay their own meaning on my work.
What is your technique for creating? My technique for creating is to make a lot of sketches first and then using an old overhead projector, scaling up those drawings to larger work. I am an analog person to my core
What is your favorite & least favorite part about professional art? My favorite thing about being an artist is the excitement of possibilities that present themselves when you talk with other artists, get feedback and collaborate. I work in multiple styles and am generally brimming with ideas, so choosing a direction is always a thrill, especially with another creative. My least favorite thing about it is when the rigors of day-to-day life take time away from my studio practice.
What is your go-to work/creative playlist? My go-to creative playlist features Channel Tres, Toro Y Moi, Khruangbuin, Mac Miller, Thundercat…
Who/what are some of your key artistic influences? My main creative influences are Richard Diebenkorn, Francesco Clemente, David Hockney, and Georgia O Keefe.
If you weren't an artist, what would you be? I would be a blacksmith. I took some classes and fell in love with the craft, but I realized that I would have to fully commit and leave painting behind if I wanted to make progress.
If you ruled the world, what would your first order of business be? If I ruled the world, I would try and get people that live near each other to get to know one another better. I believe in creating community, and our art community here in Buffalo is such a strong collaborative group.
What is your dream project? I had the chance to carry out one of my dreams when I made a mural for AKG public art initiative. My next dream project would be an immersive exhibit that shows what it’s like to find your voice as an artist through imagery, sound, and smell.