Patterns in Nature
Expressing my gratitude…
I took my art show down at the end of March and somehow it is already mid May. I always think I am going to get these updates ready to go at each transition point, but it’s hard to know what to say without a little reflection, so here we are.
I had my first solo show (in West Virginia) at the Taylor Books Annex Gallery in my original hometown of Charleston, West Virginia. It ran from Feb. 9 — Mar. 31, 2026. The show featured all of the work I created during my MFA at Emily Carr University as well as some new work I had created since moving back to West Virginia.
You can see my documentation of the show including images of the individual pieces on my website. I mounted all the work and made all the frames from scratch with a trusty chop saw and finishing nailer in my dark and dusty, dirt-floor basement during the infamous ice storm of 2026.
On February 12, Taylor Books hosted an artist talk and reception where I spoke about my work and my process and answered questions from the community.
The whole thing was an overwhelming success. By the time I took the show down at the end of March, I had sold every single piece that was on display. I am still trying to process this. It’s every artist’s dream, right? But letting go of work is hard. Especially relatively new work. Especially my best work. But that is why I make it; to share it with people. I don’t want to store all my work in the back of a dusty storage unit.
I have few favorite pieces from over the years that I hesitated to sell because I wasn’t ready to let go, and now it sits in storage at my house. This work was too special to be resigned to that fate. So despite my anxious anticipation, for this show, for the first time, I hoped for maximum sales, because while this is my passion, it is also my job and Id like to keep it that way. I wanted the work to leave the nest (pun intended) and find its way into other people’s homes and hearts. And boy did it ever. Even my dear buddy Big Bill.
Now I am left with an empty studio and the task of creating an entire new body of work before my next show at the end of the summer. I am also still plugging away at my freelance illustration work as always. Ill share more about those projects as they finish.
That brings me to my upcoming events!
Three Things on the River Queen
I am one of the three speakers for Season 11 Episode 3 of Three Things, a speaker series in Charleston, WV during FestivALL. This special episode will happen while floating down the Kanawha River aboard the River Queen! The Three Things live speaker series showcases three guests who share insight into their personal story of where they started, what they love, and where they are going.
Please join me on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 7:00pm in Charleston, WV!
Upcoming Art Show — Lewisburg, WV
Old Stone Room Gallery, Carnegie Hall
As I briefly mentioned earlier, I have another show coming up this fall in Lewisburg, WV! The work will be on display September and October, 2026. It is another solo show which will include as much new work as I can possibly make between now and then, as well as some favorites from my archive of older work that I did not include in the Taylor Books show. As this show is still several months away, I will share more details including the specific dates of the opening and relevant art walk events once we get closer.
For the nerds
And finally, my MFA thesis support document has been officially published! If you would like to read it, you can find it in the Emily Carr University eCollections library.
You can also find a link to access the paper as well as other information about my MFA work on my website.
Thank you for sticking with me
— Carly
Carly i loved your show and just bought a ticket for 3 things. I am busy this morning but later today I will read your thesis! May you be inspired for your new work!