Carol Aust
Biography
Carol Aust works in acrylic on canvas and wood panels from her studio in Oakland, California. She studied at California State University, Chico, CA and University of California at Berkeley Extension, Berkeley, CA. Through her own private study she has been influenced by artists such as Emil Nolde, Marc Chagall, Kathe Kollwitz, and the German expressionists.
Style
Aust's figurative paintings are emotionally-charged narrative fragments infused with mysterious tension and secrecy. She often places her figures in precarious environments where anything could happen. The combination of whimsical scenes and serious emotional depth asks viewers to stop and appreciate the subtle yet deep power in all her works. Sometimes celebratory, sometimes lonely and disturbing, her paintings express a wide range of human desire and yearning. Aust’s work consistently features strong and vibrant colors along with figures that are both engaging and vulnerable. Aust's paintings are emotionally charged parables of ordinary people moving through the landscapes of their lives, often at critical turning points that reflect how the choices we make every day take on a huge magnitude when multiplied over a life time.
Statement
"Painting for me is an exposing of secrets. I paint feelings and experiences that I'm certain are unique to my journey, only to discover in the sharing that others are on the same path."
Honors
Carol Aust has held numerous solo exhibitions, including "Water Paintings" in The Claremont Hotel, Berkeley, CA; "Solitary Journey," Piante Gallery, Eureka, CA; "Art for the Journey," Studio 7 Gallery, Pleasanton, CA; and "Recent Work," Taylor University, Upland, IN.
