Words that paint, images that speak: Dive into our exclusive interview
with a true master of artistic fusion!
AN INTERVIEW with CARL SCHARWATH
January 7, 2025.
ILA: WHERE DO YOU HAIL FROM? WHAT MESSAGE OR EMOTION DO YOU AIM TO CONVEY THROUGH YOUR ART? CARL: I'm originally from the great state of New Jersy and spent almost half my life there, with the great memories of the Jersey Shore, New York, Philadelphia and Atlantic City. I attended college in California and currently have been in Florida for over 35 years. My home is 8 miles from the beach and as you see I have always lived close to the ocean which is my favorite place. When I write or create art, I am always looking for a response from the reader or viewer. My wish is to just have them take a moment and reflect, as my style is philosophical in writing and in art, I hope to tell a story, visually. Being of German heritage and loving philosophy as well as a devout Catholic, this style suits me best.
ILA: WHAT DO YOU MOST LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT ENGAGED IN WRITING OR VISUAL ARTS?
CARL: I have been retired for almost 6 years and I was a licensed financial advisor. My early weekday mornings are dedicated to stock day trading. Since I was younger, I always loved to invest in the stock market, it is exciting and fun especially if you win big, occasionally.
I am also a dedicated runner, reader and work out every other day. Physical fitness is so important to me and as a runner I have time to think of my next story, poem or artwork.
I also was involved in Pickleball, played in three tournaments and taught over 100 new players in my community as an introduction class to this sport. Sadly, my injury also came from here and unfortunately, this sport will now just be a great memory.
Finally, day trips and spending time with my grandchildren fill out my days.
ILA: HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN VISUAL ARTS?
CARL: A friend from work, Jenny Link and I use to just hang out sometimes. She was a great supporter of my writing but didn't know I use to paint way back in college. One day, she offered to be a model in a photo shoot and I told her I never was a photographer. She said you have a painter's eye, please give it a try. We found an abandoned building and she dressed up and posed in various outside sections. I loved how they turned out and the first magazine I submitted to, accepted the work and now I was a photographer. Jenny will always be my Muse and sadly she passed away a few years ago. Every photo I will ever take is in memory of her.
ILA: WHAT IS "PAINTOGRAPHY" AND HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED WITH THIS MEDIUM?
CARL: I love to say I'm not a good painter and I don't think I'm a good photographer, either. Paintography is a combination of both and that way, I can hide my imperfections. Smart, right? I love this style; combining two art forms into one to again tell a story. The art is always the base (acrylic small painting) with a photo overlayed. I try and do a surrealistic study where the viewer sees things that are and not there.
ILA: HOW DO YOU ENGAGE WITH THE BROADER ARTISTIC COMMUNITY? CARL: I believe this is what we all should do in sharing your passions by helping others. Locally, I have taught both a poetry and personal essay writing class. I was also asked to connect with a 4th grade class via Zoom in Canada with a Poetry Overview session. I love collaborating with other international writers who write poetry for my art and then I submit to journals so we can be published together.
Many of my international friends have also had their photographs added to my art for publication and some writers have featured my art as their book cover. I love Facebook for the friendships made and there are many ways to reach out to help and build a lifelong friend.
Some ideas can be, attending a poetry reading, start a writer's group, be a guest editor, help a new writer by offering to read their work, write a review on a friend's book, and my favorite collaboration with another writer/artist.
ILA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO EMERGING VISUAL ARTISTS?
CARL: Never, never give up. Keep reading, keep writing, keep creating. Network and build friendships, champion others, step out of your comfort zone and try new ways to promote your work. Take feedback and never be afraid to ask others for help.
ILA: CAN YOU SHARE A MEMORABLE INTERVIEW YOU'VE CONDUCTED AND WHAT MADE IT STAND OUT?
CARL: I also do interviews for my running passion with The Runners Gazette. I had the pleasure to interview Julie Weiss, an accomplished writer and author who competed in a marathon race every weekend for a year. She did this to raise money for cancer research in honor of her father. She is a true Marathon Goddess and my favorite interview.
"I have included the link here:"
ILA: HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR INJURY, SURGERY AND RECOVERY PROCESS INFLUENCED YOUR PERSPECTIVES ON LIFE AND WORK?
CARL: Six months ago, at the end of a spirited pickleball game, I took a fall from a full speed run to return a shot. I had a double surgery for a shoulder replacement and a hip fracture requiring three screws. My injury, surgery and recovery process have profoundly influenced my perspective on both life and work. It taught me the value of patience, resilience, and adaptability. During the recovery period, I had to slow down and re-evaluate what truly mattered, which gave me a deeper appreciation for my health, support system, and the importance of balance in life. I came to accept there are some athletic sports I may never do again. I have been lifting weights one armed and doing some slow short runs.
Starting over with my love of running is special as I get to fall in love with running all over again. I have competed in 3-5K races since my injury, first time with a cane, then walking, then I ran half, walked half. My next race I plan on running the entire 3.1 miles slowly. I will honor God in every step I run.
Ultimately, the journey has reinforced my belief in the power of perseverance and self-care, reminding me that setbacks can ofen lead to unexpected growth and a renewed sense of purpose and never take anything for granted, whether in life or with your body.
ILA: HAVE YOU PERSONALLY THOUGHT OF ANY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2025, REGARDING YOU, OR PERTAINING TO YOU, IN THE LITERARY/VISUAL ARTS FIELD?
CARL: Yes, we all have those, right? I want to focus more on having my art photography presented in an art museum. I know this is a tall order and I must think of new ways to present my art. My writing goal, like Sylvia Plath, is to have a poem published in the New Yorker or other major magazine.
I want to help others even more, continue my physical journey back from injuries and of course, this year is the year I win the lottery.
Quick Responses
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR/ARTIST AND WHY? CARL: Man Ray, a brilliant painter and photographer who was always innovating his work.
**
WHAT ARE YOU READING, CURRENTLY? CARL: Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges and Where Shall Wisdom Be Found by Harold Bloom ** WHO IS THE AUTHOR YOU MOST ADMIRE IN POETRY/VISUAL ARTS
CARL: Sylvia Plath, Hart Crane and Wallace Stevens for poetry; Herman Hesse and Maxim Gorky and all the Russian writers for novels. ** FAVORITE BOOK WHEN YOU WERE A KID CARL: I have always read classics and today I still do. My reading journey started with Classics Illustrated Comic Books and the story 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. **
SHARE SOMETHING YOUR READERS DO NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU CARL: My daughter and I were in Tae Kwon Do for 9 years and we both made it to the rank of 2nd degree black belt. When she was 13, I was also the band manager of her all-girl rock band. It was from this experience that I learned about promotions.
Thank you Annette and ILA Magazine for everything you do for me. I wish you and your readers a Blessed and Happy New Year and I offer my assistance to anyone who needs it.
Carl Scharwath, has appeared globally with 180+ journals selecting his writing or art. Carl has published four poetry books and his latest book is "The World Went Dark," published by Alien Buddha Press. Carl has four photography books, published with Praxis and CreatiVingenuitiy. His photography was exhibited in the Mount Dora and Leesburg Centers for the Arts. Carl is currently an art editor at Glitterati and former editor for Minute Magazine. He was nominated with four 'The Best of the Net Awards' (2022-25) and two different 2023 'Pushcart' nominations for poetry and a short story. He is a contributing guest editor and interviewer for ILA Magazine.
Carl, as we conclude this enlightening moment, we express our heartfelt gratitude for this memorable interview with you. We applaud your dedication and the harmony you hold between physical discipline and artistic expression. We wish you the very best in all your future endeavors. Here's to a year of creativity and continued success in 2025!
Comments