In this group of works, Carter turns her attention to brown paper as a darker substrate, allowing the surface itself to become an active part of the composition. Rather than beginning with a blank white ground, the warm, earthy tone of the paper immediately establishes depth and atmosphere.

Against this darker field, color behaves differently. Bright passages of paint appear more luminous, while quick, gestural marks feel sharper and more immediate. The contrast allows Carter’s brushwork to emerge with heightened clarity—moments of color flashing forward from the shadowed ground.

At the same time, the paper introduces a quiet restraint. Areas of the surface remain visible, giving the compositions space to breathe and allowing the material itself to participate in the final image. The result is a series that feels both spontaneous and grounded, where bursts of energy unfold against a steady, understated foundation.