A Conversation with Carrie South

We originally interviewed Carrie in January 2017, but she has made strides in her personal life and career since then, so here is an update.

Artist Carrie South, known as Crap Panther on social media, is a self-taught illustrator based in Oklahoma City, OK. Carrie's work is deeply rooted in the natural world. Drawing inspiration from her childhood spent in the Cascade Mountains, South's art explores the delicate and profound balance of life and death, growth and decay. 

Through her chosen mediums of ink, graphite, and watercolor, Carrie captures the quiet magic of creation and the powerful emotions that resonate within the cycles of nature. Her art is a touchstone, a powerful and honest reflection of the world and her journey to understand it.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey to becoming the artist you are today?

I was born and raised in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. I feel it played a large role in my interests and the subjects I enjoy creating today. 

Growing up in the forest gave me a unique experience to witness life and death, growth and decay working side by side.

It’s a beautiful balance. So much is happening on a micro level and yet the forest feels still and asleep. Daily progress makes for seasonal changes and generational growth. That balance and process is what I seek to understand. Learning to value the seedlings and the forest fire as equals. The forest is my touchstone to how I need to view life and art. 

What intrigued me about being an artist is the alchemy of it. Taking a medium like graphite and creating something that wasn’t there just minutes before. It’s truly magic. And if you can create something that evokes emotion then it becomes something even more powerful. 

I’ve had many interests in my career so far. Watercolor, ink and graphite have been my chosen mediums and the subject matter has varied from visceral gore to delicate birds and flowers. It’s that balance and fragility I find so captivating. How something strong can be broken, something soft can adapt and survive. An elk can die, rot and give stage to a world of new possibilities growing in its hollow bones. Each stage is beautiful to me. Each part inspires me and reminds me to adapt. 

Is there a particular quote, piece of work, or even a specific sound/smell that ignites your creative process?

There is an epitaph that was inscribed “As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you will be. Prepare for death and follow me.”

I’ve always loved this saying. As a history lover it reminds me of how connected we are to those who came before us. We all have one thing in common, we don’t make it out alive. This inspires me to explore what life is at all stages. The ancient bones of a skeleton unearthed once crawled as a baby full of life. I find it beautiful and a constant truth to remember while navigating my own world. 

Tell us about your favorite piece to date. What made it so special?

That’s a difficult question, but if I had to choose I’d say it’s a piece I made in 2019, titled “unraveling”. It depicts a deconstructed rabbit inspired by a personal event.

Born from the dialogue I had with my children after we found one of our beloved neighborhood cottontails torn apart by coyotes. I raised my children to love and respect all living things as equals and not to fear the process of life. 

As a child, death was always shrouded in mystery and threats of fire and brimstone. It took me many years to begin unraveling its truth and understanding my relationship to it. I am always trying to expand my knowledge, emotions and views on life and death. 

Creating this piece was a way of processing something complex but common. 

How did you discover Blackwing pencils?

Tony Moore. I was attending a convention in St. Louis where he had a seminar on dynamic symmetry. His presentation was so insightful and afterwards while drawing with him he gave me his Blackwing and joked I’d never use another pencil again. He was not wrong. 

I have not used any other pencil since. It’s the perfect tool and I share it with other artists every chance I get. Just as Tony did with me. 

What other tools are essential to your process?

I’m a simple artist and I think I’m pretty adaptable with using whatever tools I have available. What I typically reach for most besides my Blackwing is my watercolors, ink and occasionally acrylic paint. As I’ve moved into doing more commercialized projects for bands and festivals I find creating digitally is most versatile.

In a world that often celebrates speed, what does "slowing down" mean to you?

Everything.

I wish I could say I have a beautiful studio, I travel to stay inspired and my only concern is creating. That isn’t my reality. 

As a stay at home mother of homeschooled teenagers, I draw from my couch most days between doing dishes, cooking meals and other domestic drudgery. I pay my bills with what my hands can create. I travel only in meditation and dreams.

Being able to stay grounded, stay present and absorb a moment is so important to me. I treasure the opportunities to feel through a painting and get lost in the details. 

Slowing down is what allows us to connect those thoughts, ideas and emotions with the visuals that resonate best. It’s communication. It’s reflection. And it allows for growth and evolution.

Time is only how we experience it. Fear leads to rushing, rushing leads to disconnection. Connection is vital for authenticity. 

What message or piece of advice would you offer to fellow creators who are just starting their journeys?

Create something and burn it. Let it go.

Learning to think of your work as a process and a practice, not a product, is so important. 

One thing all creators have in common is we are never the same artist at the start as we are at any other stage in our journey. Evolution requires sacrifice and bravery. Learning what worked is equally as important as what didn’t. So fearing mistakes or loss is counterproductive to growth. 

Create something and burn it. Free yourself from your perception of success and failure. 

Where can the Blackwing community follow and support you?

https://www.crappanther.com/
https://www.instagram.com/crap_panther/

Original interview from 2017:

What do you do?

I am an illustrator and mother of two small children. My main focus is ink and watercolor.

What does your work space look like? Where do you like to create?

My work space is our living room. A messy, ink stained desk, surrounded by toys. Having kids at home makes it nearly impossible to have an art room or studio, so I work within the eye of the hurricane.

What role does the pencil play in your process?

All of my pieces start out as a rough pencil sketch. As I ink I tend to change, redraw or add to areas. My original sketch evolves quite a bit at times and my pencil is used throughout the entire process.

Why do you choose to work with pencils and, specifically, Blackwings?

With all tools, I feel that it comes down to feeling and functionality. I love that my Pearl can execute a light sketch, but also lay darker full lines without having to switch pencil types. The lead feels soft, with out being messy or losing its point often and it erases well without smudging. I feel for me it is the perfect pencil for what I do.

What other tools are essential to your process?

I only use dip pens when it comes to inking, so my nibs are essential in what I do. I use a limited palette of watercolor pans and my assorted collection of brushes. All of this is applied to Arches cold press watercolor paper.

How do you overcome artist's block? 

As nerdy as it sounds, I actually play video games. I have been an avid gamer since the 90's and it is to me what hikes are to nature lovers. A chance to separate myself from my situation and get lost a little bit. 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

"Nobody cares. Try harder." Every time I finish a piece I tell myself that I can do better. It gives me a reason to keep creating. I hope to never make something that I am 100% satisfied with.

Check out more work on Carrie's Instagram.