Reawakening the Soul Through Art: A Talk with Camilla Webster

This vibrant, patriotic painting comes to us from Camilla Webster, one of South Florida’s most prolific fine artists and designers. A self-proclaimed “island girl,” she talks about her connection to the East End, ability to tell stories through color, and affecting the human experience through her paintings.

A Chat with Camilla Webster

What was the inspiration for this painting?

The spirit of America. It was inspired by the beautiful old barns on the East End of Long Island with their aged paint; strong but worn from a century of outdoor life. The blue feels like a jean jacket. And the stars represent the strength of the States.

How did your creative journey in painting begin?

I was an international journalist covering war zones, Wall Street and more on the ground around the world. My creative journey has always led me to tell stories through every medium. I got my Master’s Degree in Modern History and History of Art from St. Andrews in Scotland, which really gave me a chance to study the great art and artists over many centuries. I draw on a lot of color-fields of ancient history, the renaissance and the American art movements of the 20th century.

Through work and my studies I had the chance to visit a lot of original work in Europe, the Middle East and the U.S. I have always been in love with color and ideas and translating them on paper or the canvas. I returned to art in 2013, studying at The Art Students League in New York and The Slade School of Fine Art in London.

What do you love most about your craft — the process, the act itself?

The extraordinary feeling of disappearing into the canvas with brush strokes, and a sense of purpose.

I know you have a deep fondness for water. What is it that you find so inspiring?

I grew up at the beaches on Long Island and overlooking The East River at school in Manhattan. I am an island girl tied to the rhythm of the water around me. The water sets the course for my spirit every day.

To what do you attribute your success? What do people find so alluring about your paintings?

My paintings have the power to connect people to idyllic memories, changing the experience of their lives for the better. They inspire. They are full of human connection.

How would you describe your artwork to those who aren’t familiar?

Whether on canvas, paper or sculpture my art often reawakens a soulful part of the viewer through narrative abstraction — storytelling in color.

You were a TED speaker and lecturer several years back. What was the focus of your talk?

The scope of the talk was how art can help you slow down, keep calm and heal. Art enables reconnection with humanity’s creativity, the human experience and love.

You’ve been a part of so many exhibits — which are the most standout for you?

The upcoming Hamptons Fine Art Fair is extremely important to me. I will be exhibiting with Park Avenue Contemporary Art, Booth 415 from July 11—14. I was fortunate to meet Denise Autorino, Gallery Owner of Park Avenue Contemporary Art recently and was invited by her to join her booth at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair. In addition, I just showed my work in Winter Park, Florida for the first time at her new location at the historic Park Plaza Hotel.

Creating the design for the Southampton Arts Center 10th anniversary gala last year and exhibiting there the year prior was very important to me. I grew up here so to come back from Florida to create these impactful experiences for the public means a great deal.

What do you hope viewers will gain from your artwork? Is there a message, a feeling, you hope to deliver?

The message is always love — love of country, love of each other.

What remains on the horizon for you?

A large season of planning for art and collections in Palm Beach this winter!

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