Spreading the Gospel Through Beauty

Joseph Pearce interviews Bernadette Carstensen

Could you tell our readers a little about yourself?

I grew up in rural Ohio, the oldest of six children.  Both of my parents attended art school and so from an early age I had an interest in the arts.  Our house was full of art supplies so I spent all of my free time drawing, or making things.  In art school my style matured and I strove to emulate the Golden Age book illustrators that I so loved.  Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac being my favorites.  After graduating with a BFA in illustration I worked part time as a freelancer.  In 2013 through divine chance a friend sent me information about a contest to best illustrate The Book of Revelation in triptych form.  Creating my entry is how I became devoted to making Catholic illustration.

Your paintings evoke in me the spirit of the Pre-Raphaelites. Does such a comparison capture or encapsulate a kindredness of spirit, or do you see a distance between your work and theirs?

Yes, I greatly admire the Pre-Raphaelites and their contemporaries.  I adore that balance between realism and idealization.  Millais and William Morris are the greatest in my opinion. 

 

Another facet of your work that captivates me is the way that it appears to meld the style of the ikon, the Renaissance and the Pre-Raphaelites. Your paintings seem to capture the spirit of iconography, the humanism of the Renaissance and the freshness of the Pre-Raphaelites. Am I seeing something that is expressive of your approach to art?

Yes absolutely, that is spot on.  The austerity of early renaissance/medieval painting is especially moving to me and so fitting for sacred art.  But I still enjoy the humanity and realism of the Pre-Raphaelites.  In my workspace I always keep a print of the Ghent Altarpiece by Jan Van Eyck and usually one of William Bouguereau's beautiful Madonnas. I don't use iconography as much for inspiration, though I like to use very flat compositions and decoration whenever I can.  

 

How would you articulate your philosophy of art, especially as it relates to your faith?

I believe art should be beautiful, communicate truth and be accessible to all.  For me, this is the most fulfilling way to live my vocation because when I work I am getting to know more about the Faith and also doing my best to spread the Gospel through beauty. 

 

Do you have a favourite painting of your own and why is it special to you?

My favorite painting is the Dominican Jubilee illustration picturing all the Dominican saints.  The 800th anniversary of the order was very special event at our parish, and my mom had the idea to create a commemorative painting.  St. Patrick's Dominican church is where I grew up and I felt this painting was a way for me to give thanks for all the wonderful friars that formed my faith.  Also, while I was working on the drawings I met my husband for the first time and we began dating.  So the image really brings back that joy for me, and it reminds me of home.