Eliminating all barriers between inspiration, emotions, physicality, committal, materials and canvas, Raads imbues each work with original energy by drawing the paint directly onto the canvas with her hands; using her whole body’s weight, form and kinetic energy to capture the elements of undertow-darkened crashing waves and cloud-scudded skies. Carla Raads’ work embodies immediacy, creating initial texture and temperament without the polite pause and measured-out dance of brush and load. Like the beguiling pull of the ocean, each piece flows from beginning to end, created in one movement and intrinsically linked to mood and emotion. “Like the quixotic majesty of the ocean: inviting one moment
and ferociously dangerous the next, I couldn’t return to the canvas in a different mood and expect to complete the work honestly,” says Carla.