Douglas Hyslop thinks that everyone wears a mask. But the mask can both constrict and liberate the wearer, depending on how you use it. 

Hyslop's paintings are his mask; the way he not only processes the world around him and life circumstances but balances freedom with responsibility. Over the 40 years he's been an artist, Hyslop has created an elaborate circus world with clowns and other vibrant characters using drawing techniques, acrylic paints and paint layering techniques. 

One painting that hangs in Hyslop's studio in Madison depicts a tight rope walker, among other characters. When I visited Hyslop's studio earlier this week to get to know him more he told me the tight rope walker was, at the time of creating the painting, his way of encouraging his daughters as a single father to keep going during their teenage years. That anecdote moved me to tears.

Hyslop's work is displayed inside Carnelian Art Gallery as part of its July exhibition, Of Clowns and Artistic Depth. The opening reception for Hyslop's solo show is set for 5 p.m. on Friday, July 10. That night at 6 p.m., Hyslop will deliver an artist talk regarding his artistic background and the nuances of his circus world. Light refreshments, including wine, will be offered and, as always, admission is free. The exhibition will be up until the end of July and includes 11 of Hyslop's works.  

"I begin with a pencil and draw on the canvas," Hyslop said of his process during our studio visit. "If I don't, which is most of the time, I white it out. And I end up obtaining a white ground that will have a lot of grey in it because of the pencils. I originally started doing that because when I started painting, I was painting out of my bedroom. 

"I began with oils. But the smell of the oils became so bad that it was difficult to paint in the bedroom. I discovered acrylic, which has no odor and is water soluable. I tried it out and it works very well for me because it dries quickly."

At times, however, the acrylic paints appear like plastic on the canvas for Hyslop. 

"But I discovered that when I drew, the plastic effect would disappear. Another thing that helped make it disappear, was using diluted pigments."

What grew out of that was a drawing technique Hyslop employes using both pencils and Titanium White acrylic paint. He then applies color over the white in dilute form, layering more colors on top of those. It creates an airy effect where you can somewhat see through the paints to the canvas. 

"I do a lot of rubbing with cloth to make sure that the texture of the canvas comes through," Hyslop said. "What I'm doing here ... this is actually a fairly old painting ... I'm adding a figure right now. It's going to be someone playing an accordion."

Hyslop originally grew up in Madison's Maple Bluff neighborhood with two parents who came from humble beginnings, as well as a brother and sister. Hyslop "was not good in school" but was recognized by his teachers for his artwork. He eventually got really involved with sports, even playing football at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a time. 

"I still ... when I approach the canvas it's as though I'm on the football field coming to the line of scrimmage and seeing what I should do," he said. 

Hyslop said he made up his mind about painting in 1971. "Come hell or high water" he was going to be an artist. He now works as a full-time artist in his retirement, and has a background in food chemistry, philosophy and teaching. He has two daughters, who have given him grandchildren that continue to inspire additions to his circus world, which are themselves inspired by the fantasy paintings of the late German painter Paul Klee, whose works were influenced by expressionism, cubism and surrealism. 

Hyslop has done around 40 shows around the Madison area, he said, but most have been inside restaurants and coffee shops. Of showing at Carnelian Art Gallery, he said, "for me, this is a real opportunity."