If there is something that I enjoyed artistically growing up — it was actually dancing. The only hues that I knew were the colours of the rainbow, that grass was green and flowers red. How could I go wrong with that!

I took art classes in grade school but I did not go beyond that.  I just thought that my imagination was not good enough to put a piece of my own artwork out there. Let other gifted artists do that! I appreciated art — yes, but for myself, my form of artistry was expressed more fully through the beat of music and body movement — or so I thought.

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” George Eliot was absolutely right when he said that! It took time for me to re-discover that part of myself.

Everything had a complete turn-around when my doctor told me I have the Big C. This changed my flow chart completely. Then came the blow of the arrival of the pandemic. What else could go wrong? Shortly after, I lost my mom. Being isolated, family, friends and the social media made me sane.

YouTube introduced me to the interesting technique of “acrylic fluid pour.” Painting without a paintbrush? How cool is that! With a few “sessions,” I wanted to give it a try. After a lengthy discussion with my doctor, with some ifs and buts, I ended up in an art supply store. With a few acrylic paints and a small canvas, I started doing “pour” Art.

I just let the paints flow. No plans. No blueprint. And was I amazed with what I created! From there, I never stopped.  Pour painting became a part of my daily routine. I converted a room into my studio, and that has been my happy place ever since.

I am always in awe of how the different colours mix with each other, giving me abstract representations while moving the canvas around … to have each colour flow freely and create a part of a beautiful story. It was so satisfying to see a different way of expressing creativity.

Random thoughts? Better be on a canvas right away. I started with abstracts.  It makes you think. It makes you see beyond. Different interpretations depend on what and how I see. I can now fully understand why a simple line can be a masterpiece.

It is just more than a year since I started painting. Art taught me a lot of things. I learned not to be worried about imperfections. Not to feel bad about going beyond the borders. Not to mind being covered by paint all over. Having a crack on your pour? Who cares?  I am just happy that I am creating something different all the time. And this makes me feel good.

Art and Heirloom Shoppe in Chatham welcomed me to their roster of artists and displayed my artwork. This shop gave me the first taste of being a part of an ART community. Being called an ARTIST was overwhelming but made me feel thankful beyond words.

Since then, I got out of my box and tried bringing my art elsewhere. I made another turning point. I participated in art shows at the Leamington Arts Centre. Later, I displayed with the Migration Festival.

As an emerging new artist who is self-taught, with just a few months of art experience, it was beyond belief when people started to appreciate and own my creations.

I feel fully blessed. I am looking forward to more shows in the future as long as things are going well. The Kingsville Art Society is another welcoming family (virtually) that has provided another home. I am proud to be a part of A.S.K..

This group had been truly amazing and gave me the opportunity to meet and interact with more artists, and to become familiar with different styles and techniques to blend with my own. The group has made me see art in so many different ways.  As I grow, I try going beyond what I can do with this technique.

With fluid art as my base in a composition, I started putting small silhouettes on my pours. I am now using paint brushes, palette knives and air brushes to give more form to my pieces, but still believing in the dictum “less is more.”

From a simple canvas, I experimented on wood, glass and slate. I poured on guitars and tables. Who knows what more I can explore? The possibilities are endless.

All I want to achieve is that people who see my art see more than something that can be hung on their walls to appreciate. I want them to know the story behind the strokes and flow of my paints, the reasons behind the colour palette I chose.

There is a lot more to learn. Painting has been my breakthrough and has always been a part of my therapeutic journey. I am better expressing myself with every piece I make. I want to convey more depth and meaning.

I see more years of creating, more happy-painting moments. But if knowing that there are more colours other than that in a rainbow, that grass is not just green and flowers can be any color,  then I know I am on the right track.

To contact Carolane Barros-Madla, email cbm_doc@yahoo.com

All photos provided by Carolane Barros-Madla