Congratulations to artist Caroline Buccino, our latest ArtResin Winner! Caroline is a mixed media artist who lives in Falmouth, Massachusetts: "I create colorful, abstract seascapes inspired by the sunsets and beaches of Cape Cod. I blend acrylic paint and collage techniques to craft my waves, incorporating vintage sheet music where notes peek through the paint layers. This adds texture and captures the natural rhythm that permeates our surroundings."
Describe the type of art you create:
I’m a mixed-media artist who creates vibrant and uplifting ocean art using heavy-bodied and iridescent acrylic paints. I find joy in painting scenes and naming them after songs that evoke a particular feeling. This fusion of my passions for music and painting allows me to express my creativity and emotions through my artwork.
Does where you're from or where you currently live influence your work?
I am constantly inspired by the world around me, particularly the breathtaking natural scenes, the love and support of my family, the enchanting melodies of music, and my wonderful students!
I often find myself chasing the sunset on my way home from work or while running errands downtown because the sunsets here are simply incredible! I take videos and pictures that never quite capture their beauty, but they motivate me to try and recreate them in my own way. As I work on my pieces, I frequently listen to music from various genres and styles, which helps me gain more clarity of the overall mood and name of each piece.
What's your art background? Are you self-taught or did you study art?
I am self-taught, but I’ve always been passionate about art. In high school, I was part of a prestigious mentorship program with the renowned artist Alfred Glover. We worked together for a few months, where he shared his art process and lifestyle with me. It was an incredibly inspiring and enjoyable experience, and I often think about that opportunity as I embark on my own artistic journey.
Are you a full-time artist or do you create around work hours?
I create around my work hours, which I’m grateful for. I love my job teaching music, and I find that having a full-time job allows me to create art without feeling pressured. I always want to maintain that sense of enjoyment and freedom in my art, as that’s how I work best.
What do you love about the mediums that you use in your work?
I love crafting a multi-sensory experience that merges my music and art. Each art piece is meticulously inspired and named after a song that elicits a specific auditory response, immersing the viewer in an auditory experience. Each piece prominently features vintage sheet music, showcasing the harmonious connection between music and art. I also relish experimenting with diverse color combinations and textures, drawing inspiration from the natural world. This ongoing exploration of new discoveries keeps my art continually evolving and captivating.
How did you discover resin?
I first saw resin being used on social media and was intrigued by its potential to enhance my artwork. I’m captivated by how it imparts a lustrous shine to my pieces without the need for framing, accentuating the iridescent colors and glimmers within my artwork.
How has resin impacted your artwork?
I’ve transitioned to painting on gallery-depth wood panel boards, utilizing resin as an ideal medium. Its self-leveling properties result in a stunning finish, making it suitable for both hanging and displaying on shelves.
Can you provide a brief rundown of your process?
I begin by selecting a scene that inspires me and choosing a piece of music that complements it. I carefully select a color palette and mood I want to convey, choosing various tools for texture in my waves and sky. I then create textured waves by applying paint randomly onto large paper, which is then spread out using a palette knife. Once that dries, I meticulously create a long rip in the paper, making white tears that resemble waves in the ocean, and arrange them in a desired order. Next, I add the razzle dazzle by incorporating vintage sheet music into the rhythm of the landscape. I then prepare the wood panel board and paint the upper half as the sky. Finally, I apply resin to the top of the board, allowing it to dry. Each piece takes approximately three days from start to finish, giving enough time for the paint and resin to dry.
Why do you want to make art? What motivates you to create?
I’m driven by a deep passion for creating art. It’s a pursuit that has been a constant source of motivation since childhood. My dream was to play the classical oboe in a major symphony orchestra, a dream that I cherished for many years. However, a performance injury necessitated reconstructive throat surgery, rendering playing the oboe painful and no longer enjoyable. Since then, I’ve yearned for a platform to express my creativity, similar to the experience I had when performing with a symphony orchestra. Being immersed in the beautiful music made me feel like I could soar.
I started painting when I became pregnant with my daughter and soon caught the painting bug and found myself painting for hours every day testing out different textures and vibrant color combinations. I soon felt like I was soaring again while creating art. Living on beautiful Cape Cod there is no lack of stunning natural scenes for inspiration. I find sunsets, seascapes, and the moon over the ocean on a starry night the most inspiring to create.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Making art gives me energy in all other aspects of my life. Working as a full time K-5 music teacher in Barnstable public schools and as a Mom of two little ones, going home to create in my free time is my favorite way to unwind. Giving myself the time to create art makes me a happier, more inspired teacher and mother.
What do you hope someone sees or feels when they look at your art?
My art enhances nature’s textures and vibrant colors to evoke a sense of excitement and positivity. I also hope that when they read the title of the piece, they hear the music in their minds while viewing the art, creating a multisensory experience.
How do you define success as an artist? What does that look and feel like for you?
Being new to selling my art on social media, I define my art as successful when someone leaves a comment expressing a connection with my work, whether in a way I intended or in a unique way. It fills me with joy to hear how people perceive my art and how they relate to it. Additionally, I find great pleasure in sharing my art process with friends, family, and new acquaintances, hoping to inspire them to create or purchase my art to enjoy in their own spaces!
What's your favorite resin tip you'd like to share with our readers?
I like to use both an artists’ torch AND heat gun when finishing my work. The heat gun helps move the product around smoothly getting any missed spots and the torch gets rid of bubbles and gives it a beautiful, clear finish.
Where do you sell your work?
I sell my art on Etsy and my website. I am a member of the Falmouth Art Center and frequently enter my artwork in shows and exhibits. I will also be selling my artwork at the Hyannis Art Shanty’s this May and end of July.
Congratulations on your win, Caroline!
To see more of Caroline's art
Visit her website: www.artbybuccino.com
Follow her on Instagram: @artbybuccino
See her Etsy store: @artbybuccinodesigns
Every month, to celebrate our community of artists, ArtResin will send out a 32 oz kit to two lucky people who have shared the work they've created with ArtResin.
ArtResin: The Original Epoxy For Resin Art.
