About the artist

I'm Carly Van Eck, the face behind the vibrant, colorful, abstract acrylic paintings you’ll find here.

I've always enjoyed being creative and artistic, and I was known for doodling in my notebook during class. I went to college for social work and after finishing grad school in 2013, I entered the mental health field. I worked in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, followed by a crisis residential center, and also ran an art therapy group for an intensive outpatient program specializing in eating disorders.

I loved learning to do many different types of crafts, including painting furniture, hand lettering signs, drawing coloring pages, making canvas art, and creating home decor. I began to expand my art and crafting and decided to make it a business. I was dealing with chronic health issues that made it difficult to work a traditional job, so I left the social work field to pursue my art. I started to focus on making the art that I was most passionate about. I transitioned from making various crafts to developing my own style of painting.

I primarily use acrylic paint on canvas and I create abstract art using lots of happy colors. I spend hours on my paintings adding layers of various brushstrokes, shapes, patterns, and colors. I always love to hear what people see in my paintings. Sometimes I’m asked what a painting means. Usually I will shrug and say “I don’t know. I like pretty colors. It’s abstract - it can mean whatever you want it to!”

Most days you can find me in my art room in the basement of our home in the Grand Rapids, MI area. I’m typically painting while sipping on a McDonald’s Diet Coke and listening to podcasts about cults or true crime. My cats, Ingrid and Geli, are always by my side as I work. I’ve been married to my amazing husband, Jonathan, for 15 years, and I’m so grateful for him. I never planned on becoming an artist, but I love it so much and appreciate each and every person who has supported me along the way!

All professional photos are by Amberle Dekker.