Meet Carolyn Watson-Dubisch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Watson-Dubisch.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My story as an artist? I’m not sure I know where to start. Do I start with high school when my older brother bought me my first sketchbook? In my early twenties when I was a scholarship student at the School of Visual Arts in New York City? After I graduated and got my first illustration job?

When I was 30, I was the mother of a newborn, a toddler and the proud author and illustrator of my first children’s book, “Andy and the Flying Toaster Tangerine”. When I was 36, we had three kids under the age of ten and we moved to South America. We did it for health insurance, because my husband is a freelance artist as well and our health insurance cost more than our mortgage each month.

While I was in Argentina, I was the set and prop designer for a local theater group. I created 20 animal puppets for their production. It was the first sculptural work I’d done in ages and I loved it! When we returned to the USA to San Diego, I became a set designer for Looking Glass Theatre. I also illustrated children’s books and comics.

When I was 41, we moved to the city of Phoenix. My three daughters and I are fair skinned redheads, and here we are in this desert city. In Phoenix I began creating murals for chalk art festivals and also in Tucson, and Prescott and last year I was flown to Florida for my first International chalk art festival. I also began doing large sculptures for shows and events like the Grand Avenue Festival, and I continued illustrating children’s books for various publishers.

A few years ago, I decided to monetize my sculptures and started selling masks online. Keeping up with the mask orders has nearly become full time. I’ve made masks for stage shows, TV shows, fashion shoots and movies.

In 2017, I was invited to be artist in residence at Green Olive Arts in Tétouan, Morocco. I traveled there with my family for that summer and created a sculptural installation. In 2018 both my husband and I were invited as artists in residence to Shankill Castle in Ireland. We spent last summer in rural Kilkenny County drawing and painting and my project was included at their festival of the arts in August. So far, this creative path of pursuing the arts has been hard at times, but definitely an interesting journey.

Please tell us about your art.
Mostly, I make masks and when I have a chance, I draw and paint murals. I make masks because there is an infinite amount creative possibility with working from a mask base. Though I may get tired of it one day, that day is not soon. My hope with the masks is to create functional art. What I especially like about it is that they inspire other people. Because they are paper mache they are usually made of recycled materials as well, which makes me feel better about creating them.

For my drawing and painting, I lean towards whimsical and fantasy art. Something that tells a story to the viewer. I try to do this in my murals and always with my illustration.

Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
Most artists are using their art as an escape from the world. Some are using it to send a message about their own views either political, religious, etc., and some are just observing the world and creating a reflection or impression of what they see. My art is all about escapism.

For the first time, I can say my art has been affected by climate change. The International Chalk Art Festival, that I was scheduled to draw at was cancelled due to a dangerous red tide in Sarasota, Florida.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My masks are sold on Etsy.com through my store Artisan Masks https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtisanMasks. My drawings are available as prints and on t-shirts here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/tumblingup

You can also just type my name into Amazon.com to see my children’s books. Next weekend Nov 30th to Dec 2 I will be drawing at the Tempe Festival for the Arts creating a chalk mural, so come on over and say hi!

Contact Info:

• Website: Etsy.com/shop/Artisanmasks
• Email: cwatsond@aol.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tumblingup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.w.dubisch
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolynWDubisch
• Other: https://www.redbubble.com/people/tumblingup

Image Credit:
Carolyn Watson Dubisch
Duke Photography
Duke Photography
Carolyn Watson Dubisch
Carolyn Watson Dubisch
Carolyn Watson Dubisch
Carolyn Watson Dubisch
Carolyn Watson Dubisch
Carolyn Watson Dubisch

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