Carolyn at her easel

One of America’s best painters of today, Dan McCaw, said this ( in reference to the artist’s journey). “It is an endless journey. You will never finish saying all that you have to say. There will always be new ideas to express and new ways to express them.” So this is where I am. On a journey to express on a canvas with paint, brushes, palette knives, rags or any other tool..... what I see.

You would call me a self-taught artist because I graduated from Indiana University as an elementary and special education teacher. My Masters work was in remedial reading. From there, life’s journey took me through years of teaching, becoming a wife, a mother, a commercial pilot, a dressage trainer and instructor, a manager of a computer sales and service business, and ( I must not forget) a sailor. Sailing is why my husband and I came to Oriental.

There are numerous people who have inspired me along the way in becoming a better artist. Charles Hines of New Bern first inspired me in oil painting.  Craig Nelson of California really got me into plein air painting. Janet Adkin’s enthusiasm in her figure drawing classes improved my perception and drawing abilities. Our local plein air and figure drawing groups are motivational learning experiences. I study paintings of the old masters and great artist of today.   People who have purchased my paintings across the United States are certainly an inspiration to me. I cannot stop this flow of gratitude without thanking my husband for his continued support throughout this journey.

I love being outdoors and painting from real life.  I like to keep things realistic, but my paintings are far from photo-realism. I have fun interpreting what I see and what I want you to see in my paintings. I hope that you enjoy my work.