Corliss R. Owen

Meet the Artist

Corliss R. Owen considers herself to be a visionary folk artist, and she has been painting for more than 60 years. Corliss enjoys experimenting with different mediums and subjects in her artwork. She is a prolific artist whose body of work includes everything from crafting art for school classrooms to creating unique pieces using acrylic paints. Corliss is a North Carolina native and her work can be found in private collections in the United States.

Q: How did you get started as an artist?

OWEN: I started drawing at five or six years old. And I have always loved to paint.

Q: Do you have a particular method of working?

OWEN: No. But my preferred canvas size is 16” x 20” inches.

Q: What do you feel makes your art unique?

OWEN: I draw inspiration from every day life and my past experiences to create art. And I always want my work to convey joy. 

Q: How has your art evolved over the years?

OWEN: My work has evolved as I have learned different techniques.

Q: What kind of recommendations would you give to someone who is inspired by your work and wishes to become an artist?

OWEN: I would encourage them to just go for it!

Q: Is there any place in the world that you’d like to visit, and if so, how do you believe the trip would affect your artwork?

OWEN: I’d say, Paris… I feel that the city would inspire me to do work that is reflective of the area.

Q: To date, what has been your most memorable show?

OWEN: Some years back, I had a show in my hometown at the Kirby Gallery. It was exciting and inspiring to see members of the public enjoying my artwork.