Carson Abbert

Creativity and process are at the heart of my work.

Themes of love, growth and play repeatedly surface in abstract ways for me as an artist. I strive for a balance between chaos and calm; a certain flow of expression, emotion, and connectedness that I want in each piece.

I was born and raised in Michigan and completed high school in Indiana. I’ve always been drawn to nature whether it manifested in my interest in the forest and lakes of Northern Michigan or the big skies and weathered barns of Indiana. I studied painting and ceramics at Cleveland Institute of Art and immediately headed to New Mexico upon graduation. Even though the arid landscape of New Mexico was stunning, the lushness of the Northwest had a greater attraction for me. I’ve lived here for the last twenty-six years and love it.

Surprise and adventure play a huge role in my work. I don’t view my paintings as products, but rather as evidence of a creative process. I liken each piece to a whole journey or a trip rather than just a curated snapshot. While yes, I strive for beauty and a sense of unity; I also want viewers to see some of the awkward and raw parts. I think these aspects are not only interesting, but very important.

I think we all need art. We need to ...

Portland State University
Masters of Education in Art
2003

Cleveland Institute of Art
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting
1997

Natural World
Two-person Show
SW Community Center
Portland, Oregon
October-November 2026

Color Coded
Group Show
Gallery 114
Portland, Oregon
January 2026

Loud & Clear
Group Show
Purple Door Gallery
Portland, Oregon
February - March 2026

All About Love
Group Show
Gallery 408
Camas, Washington
February-March 2026

Space
Solo Show
Cathedral Coffee
St. Johns, Oregon
January-April 2026

Spring Bloom
Solo Show
Extracto
Portland, Oregon
May 2024

Alberta Street Gallery
Artist Member
Portland, Oregon
2018-2023

Dichotomy: Day and Night
Two-person show
Alberta Street Gallery
Portland, Oregon, United States
October-November 2022

Connections: Life and Death
Two-person show
Alberta Street Gallery
Portland, Oregon, United States
October-November 2021