Ransom

Artist

L.A. Carroll

Artist bio

Graduating from art school with a BFA, I have worked a variety of art related jobs, including as an Art Teacher. As I worked with the students teaching fine art, it renewed my interest in pursuing my own artwork again. Classically trained in fine art, I have worked in photography, ceramics, printmaking, fiber, oils, gouache, watercolor and more. When I began to paint again, I decided to try acrylics. As I primed the canvas, it appeared to look like an angel wing. Intending to paint a landscape, I set the canvas aside and primed another canvas. As I painted the tinted primer onto the new canvas, it, too, looked like an angel wing. I felt this was not something to be ignored, so after some contemplation, I completed the painting that seemed to emerge. This opened up a new style of painting for me. My paintings begin with only a simple idea, and are painted over an extended period of time to allow the image to unfold. There are multiple layers of paint, meaning and symbolism. The use of gold in each painting is a nod to early church icon paintings*. Scripture is then hand printed around the perimeter of the image for some pieces. The images in the artwork allude to water, wheat, wings, blossoming, grace, restoration and a conversation with God. I invite you to enjoy and to explore the depth of the meanings for you and your relationship with ‘I AM’. * Early church icon paintings- the image was not merely ‘painted’ it was ‘written’. The belief was that an icon was more of a prayer than an artform.

Visual Arts 2026 Contest

Title

Medium/Genre

Painting

Artist Statement

My acrylic paintings are started with only a simple idea, and painted over an extended period of time to allow the image to unfold. There are multiple layers of meaning and symbolism. The use of gold in each painting is a nod to the art of Kintsugi (golden joinery) and to early church icon paintings that were believed to be ‘prayed’ rather than painted. Each image is connected with a scripture, prayer or story. Some images include words hand printed around the perimeter. The images in my artwork allude to water, wheat, wings, blossoming, restoration, grace, divine encounters and a conversation with God. I invite you to enjoy and to explore the depth of the meanings for you and your relationship with ‘I AM’.

How it fits into contest

Inspiration: The word ransom is a verb, as well as a noun. It is an action verb that is defined as ‘to obtain the release of (a prisoner) by making a payment demanded’. This image was inspired by the action of raiding the darkness, to snatch out of captivity and pay for freedom.

How to Purchase this Artwork

This 11 x 21 image is displayed with non-glare glazing and framed with natural wood.(14 x 24 x 1 inch) $225.00 plus shipping.
Link to inquire: https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/l-a-carroll-studio/collection/image-and-word

Other Goods & Services Available from this Artist

Please follow on Instagram to find out the latest shows and where to see L.A. Carroll paintings in person. *To protect my art from Ai, the account may be on private. Just send a DM with reference to Engage Art.

ART: KintsugiGrace® , INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugigrace , WEBSITE: https://www.kintsugigrace.art/
Inspired by the art of Kintsugi (golden joinery) that repairs the broken with gold. The brokenness is not hidden or glossed over. Each flaw is seen as a unique piece of history that once restored, adds strength and beauty, attributing value to the whole of the journey. It is my artistic goal to work with worn and weathered shells, highlight their natural beauty and transforming them into unique art pieces that showcase this idea of ‘redemptive beauty’ what I call KintsugiGrace®.