Carson Converse
The ART of IMPROV
The Art of Improv is back and I could not be happier to introduce you to artist and designer Carson Converse. After studying sculpture at Boston University, her interest in the decorative arts and architecture led her to complete a master’s degree in interior design from the New England School of Art and Design. She continues to work in a range of disciplines, often blurring the line between craft, fine art and design. Fueled by curiosity and a passion for the creative process, Carson draws from diverse inspirations when developing her hand-crafted art, interiors, and products. From designing hotel interiors to creating award winning modern art quilts, her work has a consistent focus on strength of form, materiality and attention to detail. Forward-thinking yet grounded in tradition, Carson’s work embodies a dynamic, modern sensibility. She lives with her husband and two dogs in Western Massachusetts.
Marsh Carson Converse
Deconstructed No. 1 Carson Converse
What does working improvisationally mean to you? How would you define the ‘Art of Improv’?
At the most basic level, it’s creating without knowing where the work is headed. I think it’s about working intuitively – learning to work in reaction to (or as a collaboration with) the materials, processes, and your environment. For me, it’s about intentionally getting lost in order to find new possibilities. I guess if I had to define the ‘Art of Improv’ I would say it is the skill required to successfully work this way.
Have you always worked improvisationally?
I think so. The processes I enjoy the most tend to involve some aspect that is out of my control.
Do you work improvisationally, consciously, intentionally? If so, how do you begin? If not, how do you find yourself getting there?
Both. Mostly I fall into it because I’m impatient with the planning stages.
I also consciously work improvisationally to open myself up to new possibilities. After working on a project that is heavily planned, I always take some time to experiment and play.
Striae No. 1 Carson Converse
Divided Carson Converse
Park No. 1 Carson Converse
How often do you work with improvisation?
I guess it depends on how you define improvisation. My work rarely ends up looking like my initial idea, I prefer to adjust as I go. I would say I intentionally work in an improvisational method about 50% of the time.
Please share a bit about your process. Do you have methods to getting started? Do you have tricks to getting unstuck? Do you have motivators to finishing up?
I like to work in series and on multiple pieces at once. Working this way relieves some of the anxiety that can exist in decision making. . . I already know I will be exploring multiple variations which makes each piece feel less precious. If I’m starting from scratch, I usually just start making marks on surfaces or pulling fabrics. Once I’m working, so many different directions and ideas present themselves.
If I’m stuck on a piece, I usually put it aside. . . sometimes for years. If I end up in a creative rut, I use the opportunity to pull out all those unfinished projects. I layer multiple abandoned works on my design wall until I feel drawn to something I’m seeing. I force myself to keep reworking pieces until I like them. This usually leads me out of my creative rut, but if it doesn’t, at least my unfinished project pile is smaller.
Where do you find inspiration? How do you use it?
Everywhere. Most of my inspiration comes from the process itself. There are so many possible outcomes. Most of the time the idea for my next quilt is just a different direction the last quilt could have taken.
There are also ongoing themes that I’m trying to communicate visually. The desire to find a better way to translate and share an emotion or experience drives most of my work. When I’m looking for inspiration, I’m really just looking for methods or solutions to the same ideas I’ve been exploring since I began making art.
Untitled No. 3 Carson Converse
What advice would you give to someone interested in trying to work improvisationally. Can you share some good advice that you received that helped you become more comfortable this way?
I think it’s important to embrace failure as an aspect of success. You’re going to make pieces you don’t end up liking—especially when you’re a beginner. It’s just part of the process; it’s how we learn. Planning on throwing out a large percentage of your work can help take the pressure off and give you the freedom to take necessary risks.
It’s also helpful to have a strong understanding of the basics, both the principles of composition and the technical skills used in your craft. These will help you learn from those failures and fix any mistakes you make along the way.
How would you finish the sentence, ‘What if, . . .?’
I’m drawing a blank. I ask myself ‘What if’ questions all the time, but usually it’s for little things like, “What if this piece was ¼” wide instead of ½”?
What are reading, listening to, watching, or any other inspirational obsessions you would like to share?
I listen to NPR or podcasts when I’m working. Some of my favorites are the Moth, Invisibilia, Radio Lab, Here and Now, On Point, Code Switch and All my Relations. I spend so much time working alone that it is nice to hear what other people are thinking about. Often an idea or emotion that comes out of these stories will end up in my work.
Thank you Carson for sharing your work, a bit about your art practice, and how improvisation impacts it. I love and understand your idea of using improv as a reliever of anxiety as it does give you a freedom to fail, which I so believe is an important part of getting to the good stuff. If you know you are going to explore similarly in several pieces you can be looser and more open to truly exploring, because as you attest no matter how much planning you do, things never quite turn out as you plan, no matter how much you put into said planning. What a relief to know, that that is normal AND can be an asset. This is something I wish I had a better understanding of when I began making art. It has been refreshing to learn that someone with your level of precision and attention to detail is open to play AND mistakes! I think it is a big help to others to know this. I also appreciate your reaffirmation to set things aside, hang on to them, but it is ok to put them away if they are not working in the moment. . . come back to it, someday it may make more sense, or you may see it in a new light, or you may know exactly what it needs, or, or, or. . . It makes me thinks to ask ‘What if. . . someday???’ instead of spending to much time being frustrated. What a gift?! Thank you for that as well.
You can learn more about Carson and her work on her website CARSON CONVERSE studio and check out more about her process and inspiration on IG @carsonconverse.
Untitlted No. 4 Carson Converse