Anthony Thomas Carrera
“I bring the light out of the dark, that is my purpose, that has always been my purpose as an artist”
Art is truth for those with the capacity to recognize it. My earliest memories of truth has come from pattern recognition. Patterns stuck in my head giving me a sense of direction, be it mountains in the backdrop, land markers, brush strokes or people’s habits. It was truth for me and I learned to trust my instincts when it came to patterns, shapes and culture as well. All things come out to fill the void of utter darkness where we are blind and stumbling. The first simple glimpse of truth comes into the light from the dark, ready to make a statement and full of drama. Friend or foe is unknown until we recognize the pattern or shape. I enjoy living in that space and time where there is still some mystery and truth waiting to be discovered. The year is 2025 and truth is now held with contempt if it does not serve our purpose and for those of us with pattern recognition and objectivity, it is an arduous time to exist. The light will not be extinguished even if it is resolved to a faint glimmer or a Tenebroso existence. Patterns will be recognized even in the faintest of light and I am here as a light in dark and gloomy west.
My artistic journey began at a young age, since I could hold a pencil I was drawing and I haven’t stopped since. Mostly self taught with some schooling and great teachers exposing me to artists throughout history. My biggest influence being Caravaggio and the Tenebroso style. I have had many influences and styles throughout my life, graffiti being a major roll in my younger years but eventually growing out of it because ego was driving graffiti into delusion.
Fast forward to 2025, I found self discovery and growth comes from vulnerability and humility. There is something vulnerable in the darkest parts of our soul. That’s where the Tenebroso style opens a glimpse into that dark part of our ego. That was what drew me to Caravaggio, the mystery, the drama and the artistry. Caravaggio’s choice of models showed me a rebellious spirit that mirrored my own. Nothing fascinated me more than the parts in shadow in a Caravaggio painting. I wanted to know what was in that space, I wanted to explore it. This maybe why I have an adventurous and rambling spirit. I never wanted to paint the obvious, there needed to be some mystery left to the imagination.
Somewhere left to explore and grow.
Here I am creating art to better understand myself, not creating art for wealth or fame but to know myself better. I never fixate on a finished painting, love it or hate it, I’m on to the next painting. The next discovery of myself and my ability. I continue to look deep inside myself and with a language I learned from Caravaggio I hope to show the world what I find.
