The feeling of femininity
The feeling of femininity
Artist Carla Petelski explores femininity through colors and vibrations.
Earning the nickname “Stitch” as a child, Carla Petelski was in constant motion.
It was art that got her to focus. Now an artist and poet based in Brussels and Vienna, Petelski uses colors to represent feelings with a particular interest in representing femininity. She writes in her personal statement,
“I like to draw and represent 'femininity' in its natural being and how I interpret it, not through standards but through feelings. I love to visualize and create femininity through the strength of colors and their vibrations.
I create human forms by raising the question of gender, I draw feminine men and masculine women. Color is a key element of my creative expression. Through color one can feel cold loneliness or human warmth.”
Her distinct style manipulates the human form similar to works by Picasso. Large shapes in contrasting colors with particular attention to detail in the facial features makes Petelski’s paintings particularly interesting.
In the fall of 2022, Petelski worked on a series of five artworks. Petelski writes, “Women living in politically tough times right now are stronger and fiercer than ever. The beauty of feminine ferocity is reflected through these works. The sensitivity of the emotions drawn are also the strength of the artworks.”
All five works use an almost autumnal color palate of pinks, greens, and oranges. Created digitally, each piece is a one of a kind mono print. View the collection here and pay close attention to the poem that accompanies each work.
The work “OLD BEAUTY” is accompanied by:
This work symbolizes feminine beauty through time. The beauty of oxidation of the skin, our skin that has seen and lived it all. The one who felt our tears run down our cheeks. The one that created the wrinkles appearing on both sides of our lips from laughing and smiling.
Petelski also has her work available in different size prints in her shop here. Once a print has been available for two years it will be removed from the shop, making each piece a limited edition. These prints are an amazing if you are wanting to start a personal art collection as each print is also signed. At Actuality, we cannot wait to get a print for ourselves!
Incredibly active on social media, Petelski shares a lot of videos on TikTok, @c.petelski, of her life as an artist. Follow her on Instagram @carla.petelski to see shop updates and more photos of her work.