Original Article:
Give Her a Hand: Acrylic Artist Cary Reeder
by Artists Network Staff
Art by Cary Reeder, “In Flame”
Date Created: 2016
Medium: Acrylic gouache on paper on board
“In the spring 2016 issue of Acrylic Artist we share how Cary Reeder employs custom colors and a minimal approach to evoke feelings of home. Her paintings of houses often have shadows of neighboring trees cast upon them. These shadows have evolved into inspiration of their own coupled with the artist’s fascination with hands… Unlike the house series, which had a combination of taped and freehand work, the hands are all painted freehand. I start by painting the base layer of the hand and then come back to do the detail work. This usually takes two or three layers of paint. My former life as a graphic artist helps me have the steady hand to create sharp lines… I use reference photos for these as well. I tried to take the photos myself but they were terrible so I called in a professional. I needed a new head shot so I also asked the photographer to also take a bunch of photos of my hands… As you can imagine, as an artist my hands are really important to me. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in late 2013 and I became obsessed with my hands and whether they would stop working. It’s been a difficult couple of years but I’ve finally found medication that is mostly preventing stiffness and joint pain. But even before this I was obsessed with my hands and hands in art, especially Bill Viola’s video piece Four Hands which is mesmerizing.”
Cary Reeder’s work demonstrates how individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis can do amazing things, despite their chronic illness. Her piece is beautiful and opens up discussion of how individuals with arthritis are often very focused on their hands and their ability to “work.”
