Meet CA-based Artist Bernadette Carstensen
Bernadette Carstensen is a San Francisco, CA-based illustrator. Visit her website: www.bernadettecarstensen.com.
(Editor’s note: We last featured Bernadette in October 2019 and were excited to catch up with her!)
CATHOLIC ARTIST CONNECTION: Where have you found support in the Church and with your fellow artists for your vocation as an artist?
BERNADETTE CARSTENSEN: I have had support through many commissions from priests, and lately the Benedict XVI Institute. Many people have supported me by purchasing prints online.
I must also mention the wonderfully talented Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs. She created the Catholic Artists Directory in which I am included, and I am very grateful to her for the idea and execution. I have had a lot of traffic come through the directory, and have been made aware of other brilliant artists.
Kathleen Carr is another acquaintance to whom I am grateful. She has put SO much work into the Catholic Art Institute and I am very happy to be a member there. I love the online contests they host.
How can the Church be more welcoming to artists?
To be perfectly honest in my answer, I think the Church should be less welcoming towards art and more discerning of true Beauty. Modernism has corrupted the traditions of beautiful art and music in the Church. I believe ugly art, music, architecture etc. is anti-human and has driven away countless people from the faith.
Where in San Francisco do you find spiritual fulfillment?
We attend Star of the Sea Parish on Geary Blvd. The liturgy and the church are beautiful and there is also perpetual adoration. We have made many great friends through spending time after mass and also through the classical school connected with the parish.
Where in San Francisco do you regularly find artistic inspiration?
To be inspired, I love to drive through the nicest neighborhoods of the city, the gorgeous architecture is a feast for the eyes. The most beautiful church here, in my opinion, is St. Dominic's then St. Ignatius and then St. Peter and Paul's. I love to sit in church when I have a chance and just look, I find it very inspiring.
How have you found or built community as a Catholic artist in San Francisco?
Our community has definitely come through the parish. And I am grateful to have been commissioned by the Benedict XVI Institute, which is based here in San Francisco. I love participating in the events they host, I have met musicians and writers and people who love Catholic art. Can't say enough good about the B16 Institute.
What is your daily spiritual practice?
I like to try and read the daily Gospel at least. Though a helpful thing I read once was to aim for a "holy minute" in the morning if a holy hour just isn't in the cards for you because of your situation.
What is your daily artistic practice?
I recommend drawing from life daily, especially the human figure. Though I cannot practice what I preach because we have four young children and I don't draw much at all. As a mother I try to create a beautiful home and teach my children to be creative. So my daily practice is to enjoy beauty in all the ordinary things of life.
Describe a recent day in which you were most completely living out your vocation as an artist. What happened, and what brought you the most joy?
The last day that I was working and it brought me the most joy would have to be when I finished my latest piece St. Junipero Serra and the American Saints. I spent a lot of nights working very late which is hard when you have to get up and nurse a baby in the AM after finishing work. Still, it was tons of fun to stay up all night to finish the last bits, reminded me of being in school. There is a crazy mess all around, drawings on the floor, books and empty coffee cups and I haven't cleaned the house for weeks. But when I finish it's just a huge relief, and my favorite thing is to show my husband, Brendan. He is my biggest fan but he also has a good eye and I love to get his reaction. I had a lot of joy that night I finished, I felt that it was a job well done, and Brendan was impressed with the final.
How do you afford housing and financially support yourself as an artist?
We live in the Presidio which is my favorite area of San Francisco. It is a national park and the houses are charming old military homes. The Sunset is a great place to find a more affordable situation with roommates and it is very close the beach.
My husband supports our family, and I am able to treat my art as a side job. This is best for us because I want to be available for the children especially while they are little. The most helpful thing for me was to enter contests. It is a very good way for people to see your artwork.
What other practical resources would you recommend to a Catholic artist living in San Francisco?
I love the art supply store FLAX in Fort Mason. I also use a local print studio called Scale Up for all of my printing and shipping. They are amazing studio that does image capture and all kinds of high quality printing. The Legion of Honor is a the art museum that I like best, it is mostly classical works. And the Cartoon Museum in Fisherman's Wharf is really great too.
What are your top 3 pieces of advice for Catholic artists post-graduation?
1. I think drawing is the key to success, so I would say keep drawing, don't get out of practice.
2. Get your work online. Personal website is best. Don't put up too much work, just the best stuff.
3. Enter contests. This is how I got started and how I received many of my first commissions.