Keri Carnes is a self-taught artist from Durham, NC, who paints realistic scenes that capture meaningful moments in childhood and parenthood. In this interview Keri, who is both a mother and artist, talks about how her life experiences as a foster, adoptive, step, and biological parent influenced her work. She also shares her love for realistic art, the challenges she faces as a self-taught artist, and the personal moments that inspire her paintings. Keri’s art captures the quiet, everyday moments that shape who we are, and how she hopes her work helps people feel seen and connected.

Keri Carnes (b. 1990) is a self-taught artist residing in Durham, NC with her husband and children. Her work is informed by her experience as a foster, adoptive, step, and biological parent. Her work centers on the moments that define us and create our inner narrative, especially through the lens of childhood and parenthood. Keri aspires to hyper-realism, working in oil paint and using the indirect method. Her work is about the experiences and relationships that make us who we are — for better or for worse. Her work has been exhibited locally in Raleigh and Durham, as well as in online exhibitions.

Everyone has pivotal moments that shape their understanding of who they are. Sometimes these experiences are shared with others, while other times, personal growth happens in solitude. Kei believes these moments influence how people perceive fate, resilience, joy, grief, community, and loneliness. As individuals build their identities, these key moments color their memories, shape their behavior, and strengthen their bonds with others.

Keri’s work aims to capture these significant moments, with a focus on accurately reflecting our internal narratives. Although she paints modern scenes, her approach is rooted in traditional painting methods, creating a connection between the historical and the contemporary.

As a foster, adoptive, step, and biological mother, Keri has had the privilege of witnessing and experiencing some of these most intimate moments. Her work seeks to capture both the diversity and the universality of these stories.

1. What inspired you to choose oil painting and realism, and how did you improve your skills as a self-taught artist?

I’ve always been more drawn towards realism. I love more contemporary and abstract art as well, but realism is compelling to me because I love the challenge of mastery, and the experience of losing myself in tackling a detail. I did not know much about oil painting until 2023. I didn’t think it was something I could pursue because I have small children in the house and I was concerned about the risks associated with solvents, but in early 2023 I learned about water mixable oil paints and things took off from there. I think oil paints are a natural medium for someone interested in mastery because there is so much information out there about how to use oil paints on a technical and chemical level as well as on a creative level. I love that I can learn more about the medium at the same time I am expressing myself creatively. Right now, I am trying to learn more about solvent free painting with traditional oils. It can be really difficult to improve as a self-taught artist because you have very little feedback or instruction on your work and absolutely no guidance on how to tackle improving your skills. What I have tried to do is focus on a specific area with each piece. So, in one painting I might spend most of my time addressing the texture of hair, while in another, I might focus on skin tones with unusual light. I wish I could work on everything at once, but I don’t think my brain can function that way!

I paint modern moments but my approach is rooted in traditional painting methods, drawing a thread between the historical and the present day.

Keri Carnes

2. Can you tell us about the key moments you’ve captured in your art and how you decide which stories to share?

I’ve been struck by how my perspective on childhood and adolescence has shifted since becoming a parent. I often find myself feeling like I’m ‘looking in’ on my children’s lives as opposed to experiencing it alongside them. Seeing my children experiencing certain moments, especially the quiet ones where their personalities shine, is so interesting to me and it often makes me feel a bit like a voyeur in their lives. These moments remind me how lonely childhood can be, even when you’re surrounded by people who love you. These are the moments that I’m trying to capture in my work.

3. How do you convey complex emotions like joy, grief, and resilience in your paintings, and what do you hope viewers feel?

I view my role as an artist as an observer and recorder of little moments. I hope that looking at my work causes the viewer to realize that they might also have been “seen” in moments where they felt invisible. I do not want the viewer to feel the same emotions as the subject – I want the viewer to realize they might not be as alone as we often feel as we navigate our everyday lives.

4. What impact do you hope your art has on people, especially regarding conversations about identity and the human experience?

I hope that my art helps people to pause and reflect on how common and routine moments affect our conception of ourselves, and create a sense of connection with others in the everyday. Although I think most people would talk about “big moments” when asked about their sense of self, I think our self-conceptions are actually born in quiet moments that we all experience—how we feel as we wash the dishes, read a book, play video games, and so on. I hope my artwork reflects that reality and draws attention to our intimate inner lives.

We all have pivotal moments that shape our conception of who we are. Sometimes we share these experiences with others, and sometimes our growth is ours alone.

Keri Carnes

5.  What advice will you give to the aspiring artists?

I would say to practice as much as possible – and when I say practice, I don’t mean practice just making art. Practice observing the world around you and reflecting on what you see that others do not notice. Creating great artwork is about much more than technical skill; it also requires that you become a good observer of the world around you. Great artwork draws the viewers’ attention to something they never paid attention to before.

Keri Carnes’s art reminds us to slow down and appreciate the small, meaningful moments in our lives. Through her realistic paintings, she captures the essence of everyday experiences, encouraging us to find beauty in the ordinary. As Keri continues to grow as an artist, her work will inspire others to see their own lives in a new and more meaningful way. To learn more about Keri Carnes, click the following links to visit her profile.