Tim Carlson was born in Escanaba, Michigan. Escanaba stands on the western shores of Little Bay De Noc. Four Miles across the bay, in Stonington, generations of his people farmed, fished, logged, hunted and trapped for a living. They were lighthouse keepers, worked the ore boats and great lakes freighters, one of his uncles even helped build the Mackinaw bridge.
“But dad took us to Grand Rapids for more opportunity, “ Carlson says, “And I went to school there. In later years, the college courses available in fine arts were not what I wanted. But I did want to travel. Probably too much Kipling and Hemingway in my reading. So instead of hitting the books, I hit the road.”
He spent years living out of a backpack, traveling over much of North America from the Arctic Circle to Arizona, Great Britain, crisscrossing Europe repeatedly, and Western Asia.
“I made for myself the opportunity to go anywhere in the world, and I did, Scotland and Northern Ireland in particular. I love the people. They're strong and well grounded. And the beauty of the land is awe-inspiring. I worked in youth hostels in Loch Lomond and Glasgow. I go back when I can… drawing, sketching color notes and taking endless reference photos to take back to my studio.”
That studio is in Traverse city, Michigan, where Tim and his wife Tonja have lived for nearly thirty years.
“In regard to my work, I paint in oils. I normally paint a background using color only, while the principal subject is underpainted in graytones. I mix and tube the grays myself. Nine values of gray, plus black and white. I intermix the grays when I lay them out on my palette so that I actually work with eighteen grays. Color is then superimposed slowly and thinly over the underpainting with special attention to the color of sunlight and skylight, or shadow. This allows the finest adjustment imaginable to the color. The glowing, luminous effect that appears feels like a gift from above and repays many hours at the easel.
Working this way takes more time, but I never consider that. I make my own stretcher bars, stretch, gesso and sand my own canvas, build my own frames and paint them. When engaged in this woodworking I use my fathers’ tools, which add a quiet sense of joy to the project.
Irving Stone wrote that before Michaelangelo began a sculpture, he hand picked the best iron rods he could buy and forged his own chisels. I admire that immensely and understand perfectly. If I can make my own tools I do so. Incidentally, I love the ring of a blacksmiths hammer. If I could think of a reason to fire up a forge in my work, I would. I happen to have my great-grandfathers anvil.
I don’t know if I can say that my methods would have developed more quickly had I taken more college courses. By that time in my life it would have required too much time away from our children when they were small, which was not an option. I mean that sincerely. If my career was delayed, oh well, one less artist. Tonja and I always wanted to be there for our kids and we were. And it worked perfectly. My abilities evolved as our children grew. And it didn’t hurt them to see me working on a painting, making another effort, another attempt, never giving up. Talent is as common as old shoes. Persistence is everything. Think of Mr. Edison and his lightbulb.
This life has been good to us. Tonja’s jewelry is gaining an international reputation. Our website takes our art around the globe. As time goes by more opportunities open up for us, not less. People often ask the question, what is art? For us art has been a privilege. To travel, and create beautiful things. We couldn’t ask for more.”
Copyright 2013 Tim Carlson Art
