Kiersten C.

Explorer
Credit: Kiersten C.Artist Bio

Kiersten Carroll (she/her) is in the 3rd and final year of her graduate school journey on the way to becoming a licensed art therapist. From a very young age, it was Kiersten’s dream to incorporate art into a career that would feel “successful” in traditional terms, but she never really thought it was possible; it’s hard to believe in a dream when surrounding people offer judgment, criticism, point out flaws or challenges along the way to self-discovery. It took Kiersten decades to learn that the only means to a fulfilling life is to look inward rather than seeking answers outside of oneself. Through Lewis & Clark’s Art Therapy program, Kiersten learned how she could use art (interwoven with other interests) to generate the type of success that is significant to her, one that insists on creativity, personal growth and authenticity. In her final year of the program, she is completing internship at an outpatient clinic serving those who have co-occurring disorders of mental health related challenges and substance use disorders. It is in the role of student intern at this site that Kiersten is able to combine her love for humanity, art, psychology and nature to help support those in need.

Artist Statement

Title: Explorer

Materials: Mixed media including wire, a glass ornament, glue, stamps, ink, quick-dry clay

Statement: We are all explorers in this great experience of life. Sitting in my inconsequential part of this expansive universe, I feel naked, without protection from the elements. I find myself fishing for whatever comes my way: answers, questions, feelings, experiences… My helmet cracks under galactic pressure, my skin does the same…

Title: What a f*&#!ng mess

Materials: Mixed media including acrylic paint, glue, buttons, glitter, beads, paper, plastic, and basically anything else I could find (looking for an earring? It’s possible it got lost in this piece)

Statement: I dropped materials here haphazardly, accidentally spilled things several times, bumped this piece, shook it, dropped it. Now it hangs on a wall inviting viewers to become part of the mess, to become interactors and players. How will you feel opening the plastic cover and interacting with this piece? Will parts of it come off on you, forever altering your favorite shirt with glitter, while itself changes as a result of your touch? Is the intrigue of the experience worth whatever consequence might come next? Now, before you change your mind…

***OPEN THE PLASTIC COVER AND TOUCH ME***

Title: Falling

Materials: Mixed media including acrylic paint, used paper notes, markers, air dry clay, natural artifacts such as leaves and sticks, and more

Statement: This piece evolved slowly throughout the duration of the year, as I worked on it at home, typically at the end of especially challenging days. It’s a self-portrait that speaks to the pain, discomfort, feelings of exhaustion and hardships experienced in the final year of this graduate program thus far. It’s important to note that I didn’t find it necessary to work on this piece while in a state of emotional regulation and happiness; instead, I used it as a vehicle for emotional release and personal expression.

I’m not sure if any of it is still clear enough to read, but one layer of this piece included erratic writings of angst and anger- a quote I recall from this time, written and perhaps covered up, was: “Nobody told me that being ‘exactly where you’re supposed to be!’ feels a lot like falling behind.”