Caroline Duffy produces realistic, contemporary portraits and satirical pieces that focus on the complexities and idiosyncrasies of the human condition and emotion and how, or if, it evolves over time. Often referencing nostalgic Americana standards, but finding a new lens to examine it through, she looks to both popular culture and fine art to challenge, scrutinize and define the guiding beliefs and ideals in our ever-changing society. If there is anything we need these days, it is humour, so she has also produced a series of paintings that are playful and hopefully poignant, often poking fun at or questioning past and present views, art and more. Likewise, she strives to produce realistic, contemporary portraits that celebrate the human spirit. In these portraits, Duffy intermixes realism and abstraction to better relay the underlying emotional ties between herself and the model she portrays. Consequently, Duffy’s approach varies widely and each individual painting finds its own way to tackle questions regarding the human spirit and how we relate to one another.
Duffy has been accepted as a member of the Los Angeles Art Association and has presented her work at Hive Gallery, National Arts League Gallery, Worth Ryder Gallery, Martin Luther King Multicultural Center at UC Berkeley, Long Beach Art Walk, “Orange Juiced” at Emerge Gallery, and has had her work published in Art Hole Magazine, APERO Magazine, and Flux Review Magazine. She graduated from UC Berkeley in December 2019, with a BA in Art Practice, with Highest Recognition and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Self-taught or art school?
A bit of both. Although I graduated from UC Berkeley last December with a degree in Art Practice, there were only a limited amount of classes there for painting. I took them all, but the place I gained my deeper understanding of painting was on Instagram. I had never created an oil painting before college, and the artists I watched there provided solid information on techniques that I wasn’t exposed to at Berkeley. Their process videos helped me learn the steps to create compelling portraits and see what materials I should be using, too. The great technical skills that I gained from Instagram, in conjunction with the conceptual framework I developed from Berkeley, helped me immensely in creating my work today.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
I couldn’t own the original, but I would have a recreation of Banksy’s Pulp Fiction. The piece shows Vincent and Jules’ guns replaced with bananas. It always makes me laugh and has sentimental importance to me because it was the sole inspiration I had to want to start and make art. Ever since I saw it in my senior year of high school, I’ve been making art.
How would you describe your style?
My style of art is split up into two categories: realistic, contemporary oil portraits and satirical paintings. Both of these genres focus on the complexities and idiosyncrasies of the human condition and emotion and how, or if, it evolves over time. I really enjoy creating both of these kinds of arts because I’m inherently drawn to comedy and emotions. They allow me to find a creative outlet to express both sides of my personality naturally.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
Although there are certain parts of my work that are very methodical, like priming my canvas or creating an imprimatur, most of my artistic process is pretty spontaneous. I only have a rough idea of what my painting’s going to look like, when I’m starting out, and that almost always changes once I’ve applied paint and realize that certain colours/compositions might look better than I first thought. You kind of have to give up control and be willing to divert from a strict plan to make something that’s better, but unexpected, in my experience.
Is narrative important within your work?
Incredibly important. I incorporate stories into my satirical art to better communicate my feelings when creating my socio-political subjects. Humour is an extremely effective way to communicate ideas to others, so I translate my stances on socio-political matters through it. In recent months, I have increasingly turned to this genre in my art, due to quarantine. My aim is to disrupt the constant heaviness of the world by creating playfully absurd paintings that, while being lighthearted, still address poignant societal issues. These paintings examine social qualms and mores and therefore act as great agents for light handedly exploring a diverse range of ideas for a public that has increasingly become partisan. My satirical art, consequently, engages in humorous, sometimes farcical sojourns that may inspire nothing more than a grin, or a maybe a serious look at our modern standards and society, through a nostalgic prism.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
My all-time favourite artist is Banksy. I fell in love with his work because of his sense of humour and ability to tell a compelling story. There aren’t many artists who can do both of those things, or do them well, and I’m always inspired by his courage to stay true to his ideas. My other favourite artist is Degas for completely different reasons. Degas stands out in a league of his own to me, due to his understanding of colour and movement. I have always loved his incredible studies of ballerinas, and how, uniquely and creatively, he captured them performing.
What or who inspires your art?
For my satirical art, I am inspired by looking at vintage photographs and classical art. These images inspire my art and I then try to envision how those people might fit in today, and what would change about them, in our given circumstances.
My portrait art is inspired by people like Degas. Although I love realism, I intermix expressionistic lines in the clothing and background of my painting because I think that brings life to the image in a way that photos can’t. I am inspired by Degas and how he manages to seamlessly create abstraction in his work while maintaining a sense of realism.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
My studio is in Los Angeles, California, and is completely filled with anything I own art-related. I love to go there and immediately be able to zone in on making art while being surrounded by past artworks I’ve made around me. It’s a bit of a creative mess, but it works!
Do you have any studio rituals?
I don’t have too many rituals except that whenever I start to paint, I make sure to have either a playlist or a podcast ready to listen to. I never paint without having some sound on because, for some reason, it helps me focus!
What are you working on currently?
I’m currently working on a series of portraits that depict my friends and me. They’re larger than life paintings that intermix realism and abstraction together as I’ve done in previous portraits. I really appreciate and miss them during quarantine, so this is my tribute to them!
Where can we buy your art?
My work is currently being displayed at Hive Gallery and Gallery 825. Both are in Los Angeles and are wonderful venues to see contemporary art! You can also message me at carolinegraceduffy.com regarding other paintings I’ve made and to inquire about prints for specific pieces.
