Today we’d like to introduce you to Carl Yonder.
Hi Carl, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a military brat and contemporary visionary surrealist artist currently based in Maryland. Growing up, my family moved frequently throughout the U.S. and abroad, which exposed me early to shifting landscapes, cultures, and perspectives. That sense of constant movement shaped both how I observe the world and how I create within it.
Art became a grounding force, one of the few constants amid change. Over time, my practice evolved into a layered, mixed-media approach rooted in introspection, spirituality, and identity. Influenced by years of Transcendental Meditation, my work draws from the subconscious to create visual frameworks that invite viewers to engage, interpret, and ultimately become a storyteller.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the most significant challenges in my practice has been learning how to speak about work that is intentionally open-ended. My pieces are designed to resist fixed interpretation, which can be difficult to articulate within traditional frameworks that favor clear narratives and definitive meanings.
As a private person, I’ve had to navigate the balance between offering context and preserving the expansiveness of the work. I’ve come to see that tension as generative rather than limiting. Allowing ambiguity to remain intact has ultimately strengthened the integrity of my practice and deepened the viewer’s experience as a storyteller.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create immersive mixed-media artwork that blends traditional techniques with digital processes to form layered, emotionally resonant visual experiences. Rather than delivering a singular message, my work functions as an open field, an invitation for viewers to bring their own intuition, memory, and imagination into the piece.
Images emerge from my subconscious and spiritual exploration, but meaning is not prescribed. I see my role as constructing a visual framework and stepping back. What unfolds belongs to the viewer. What sets my work apart is its emphasis on participation, reflection, and the belief that art is something to be experienced over time, not immediately resolved.
What matters most to you?
Creative freedom matters most to me, the ability to continually explore, evolve, and experiment. While I take pride in the work I’ve created, I see my practice as an ongoing process rather than a fixed destination.
I’m committed to growth across all aspects of my work, from material exploration and technical refinement to conceptual expansion. Maintaining that openness allows the work to remain alive, both for myself and for those who engage with it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carlyonder.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlyonderart
- Other: https://www.cohart.com/carlyonderart/profile
