MEDIUM OF CHOICE: Sean Carney is shown with some of his favorite wood stains, and current works, at Barsky Gallery in Hoboken.
By Thomas Kelly
Sean Carney is a painter of what he sees. He paints places and things with which he is familiar. The paintings are honest, well-constructed, and colorful. He is also a longtime teacher of art at Lawrence High School. He teaches Studio Art to eager students. He also teaches by doing. He paints nearly daily and shows that putting in the work and time does help one grow and become successful as a working artist.
When did you begin in the arts and how did teaching art come about?
I was fortunate to have a mother who pointed me toward the arts at a very young age. By the fourth grade, I was already taking Saturday classes at a local artist’s studio. That commitment only grew; throughout high school, I was taking the PATH train into New York City every Saturday and all summer to study at the School of Visual Arts and the Fashion Institute of Technology. After graduating from New Jersey City University in 1999, teaching became a natural extension of my practice. I’ve been a painting teacher at Lawrence High School for 26 years now, and I find that the classroom and the studio constantly inform one another.
Who were your influences both starting out and currently?
My college professors, Ray Statlander and Ben Jones from New Jersey City University, were my primary influences when I was starting out. Later on, I was incredibly lucky to have the legendary Mel Leipzig as an artist-in-residence in my own classroom at Lawrence High. He painted in my room once a week for five years, and observing his process was a masterclass in itself. Currently, my work is driven by a collection of influences from Non-Objective art to Classical Realism. I’m also deeply inspired by the living, working artists in my area whose dedication to their craft continues to push me and inform my perspective.
I know you listen to artist podcasts while you paint. Are they helpful for inspiration, technique, or the business of making art?
They are indispensable for all three. Because the act of painting is such a solitary and meticulous process, having those voices in the studio helps me stay connected to the larger art world. I find them particularly useful for the “business” side, hearing how other artists navigate gallery relationships or handle the disappointment of a commission falling through, helps keep me grounded. They also provide technical inspiration; even though my medium is unique, hearing a painter talk about light or composition can spark a new approach in my own work.
You recently changed your subject matter. Why now and how is the new work being received?
For about a decade, my work was focused on “places” — primarily cityscapes — and I can see myself returning to that subject later on. However, a visit to the Saratoga Automobile Museum in New York inspired me to shift toward my “Driven by Design” series, focusing on iconic automobiles. The reception has been wonderful; the automotive work has led to live painting events and exhibitions at places like the Saratoga Automobile Museum; The Barsky Gallery; The Little Gallery of Roanoke, Virginia; Gallery 1401 of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and of course Borrelli’s Chestnut Hill Gallery, The Euphemia Gallery of Spring Lake, and Connexions Gallery Easton, who I have worked with for some time.
How has your color palette changed with the new work?
The shift from landscapes to automobiles has brought a much bolder, more dynamic palette into my studio. While my shorelines often used the natural, earthy tones of the wood grain, the newer series allows me to push the water-based stains to capture the high-contrast reflections of chrome, the deep luster of automotive paint, and the intricate details. It’s been a challenge to see how far I can push the saturation of the medium.
What media do you use and why?
I work with water-based wood stains on solid wood or wood panels. I experimented with the medium years ago and eventually returned to it because it offered a look that was uniquely mine. Minwax wood stain is truly a world class medium that I wish more artists would experience — I have painted with virtually every type of paint, but these stains are still my absolute favorite. The process of layering that I’ve spent nearly 15 years perfecting really is very satisfying.
What struggle do you have regarding your art?
The biggest struggle is always time. Balancing a full-time career as a teacher, being an active father and husband, along with the demands of a working artist means I have to be extremely disciplined with my schedule. There are also the typical “ups and downs” of the business side, galleries closing or the occasional slow period in sales, but my philosophy is that no matter what happens, you just must keep painting.
How do you balance your home life as an art teacher during the day and a working artist at night and on weekends?
It’s a rhythm I’ve developed over many years. Painting is my therapy; it keeps me grounded. I usually manage to get three or four hours of painting in every day, before school, after school, during lunch — I paint whenever I can. I honestly gave up all my other hobbies and replaced them solely with painting.
Where are you showing these new paintings?
I’m currently represented by several galleries, including Borelli’s Chestnut Hill Gallery in Philadelphia, SPA Fine Art in Saratoga Springs (N.Y.), and Gallery 1401 in Chattanooga (Tenn.). I also show with The Little Gallery of Roanoke, Va., Connexions Gallery in Easton. Pa,, and The Euphemia Gallery in Spring Lake
Do you paint a lot of custom commission type work?
Yes, I have been doing more commissions than ever before! Many have been from high-end car dealerships like Porsche Princeton or AutoBay, but the galleries have also been quite busy acquiring me commissions.
Where can we see your work?
The best places to see my current work would be in my studio in Robbinsville, or any of the galleries that represent me. I also update my website often.
What is on the horizon? What are you looking forward to?
I’m very excited to be participating in a new group exhibition at Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell, which will be up this May. I have also been working on a separate new series in my studio that I hope to devote more time to this summer. I am sure more shows will be on the horizon as well.
To learn more about Sean Carney, visit carneystudios.net, Facebook@SeanCaneyNJ, Instagram.com@carneystudios, or LinkedIn Sean Carney.
