Artist’s Statement
As an artist’s firstborn, I have always drawn; but in 1965 when I really learned drawing, it was in a figure class The immediacy of translating a human gesture – the brevity of line -evolved and became my language.
I have always painted, but I found my own means of expression in the 60’s advent of acrylic paint. After drawing, watercolor, casein, and oil, that trial bottle of polymer taught me anew language – elemental, flowing and colorful.
Sculpture became a mixed media experience. Kinetic sculpture achieved actual motion and confirmed the direction that all media hereafter would take -following gestural line, moving water, composition that the eye can travel in, around and through.
Look in . . . Step in . . . Wade in . . . Swim in . . . Dive in!
Biography
The daughter of an artist and a NASA engineer, Carolyn grew up with the influences of art and science in the lush landscape of the South. After a comprehensive fine arts education at Auburn University, her unconventional mixed media senior thesis project won the department’s award for best thesis of 1968, and the advice of her mentor professor was,” They are not going to believe you in Alabama!”
In 1969, she began a graduate program at NYU in”Experiments in Art and Technology.” There she gained experience with industrial, theatrical and uncommon artistic media. In 1972 she completed a master’s thesis in kinetic responsive sculpture. And no, they wouldn’t have believed it in Alabama!
As the technology in NYC outpaced the art/tech collaborations, Carolyn returned to drawing and painting as her preferred forms of personal expression. The mixed media she had been exposed to translated into a flowing manipulation of liquid paints and acrylic media on unprimed or watercolor canvas. The large scale of the work often transformed realistic detail into abstractly perceived patterns. As one series led to another, the recurring theme of water was expressed in reflections, ripples, rings, wave dynamics and sparkles of light. At the same time, the coordination of her two drawing groups every week resulted in a surge of figure work. Great models became muses.
Such creative outpouring was furthered by the experience of teaching young students for many years. The satisfaction of sharing with others was a gift from my artist/teacher mother’s example. The lessons expanded their talents and perceptions, and shared the joy of revisiting old lessons and learning new perspectives and insights from another generation.
There is such privilege in being able to see, translate and capture the beauty of the real and the imagined world. Gratitude for this gift is a driving life force, guiding the way to the future with the rich experiences of the past.
Education
1972, M.A. New York University
- 1970-1971 Graduate Assistant in “Experiments in Art and Technology
- 1970 Painting with Abstract Impressionist, Milton Resnick
1968, B.F.A. Auburn University; Auburn, AL
- Outstanding Thesis of 1968 awarded by Fine Arts Faculty
Honorary Organizations
Artist Member, National Society for Painters in Casein and Acrylic, New York, NY
Artist Member, Silvermine Guild of Artists, New Canaan, CT
Teaching Experience
1998-2005: Monitor of Open Use Drawing, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield, CT
1999: Instructor/Monitor of “Go Figure” Life Drawing Installation, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield, CT
1977, 1986, 1996: Art Instructor, Mixed Media Workshops, Huntsville, AL
1976-1994: Art Instructor, After School Studio Art, Wilton, CT
1968-1969: Art Instructor and Sponsor of Art Club and Extracurricular Art Activities, Whitesburg Jr. High School, Huntsville, AL
1966-1971: Art Instructor, Summer Studio Drawing and Painting, Huntsville, AL
Work Exhibited
2005, August: Farewell Retrospective, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield, CT
2005, August: Solo Awards Show, Westport Arts Center, Westport, CT
2005, January: Artist Member Show, Silvermine Guild, New Canaan, CT
2004, April: Solo Show, Orphic Fragments, Steve Martin Studio, New Orleans, LA
1990-2004: Biennial Exhibitions, Comstock Drawing Group, Wilton, CT
2002: Steve Martin Studio, New Orleans, LA
1994: Solo Show of Drawings, Bruce Kershner Gallery, Fairfield, CT
1991-1995: Volcano Art Center, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI
1990: Trio Show, Westport Art and Antiques Center, Westport, CT
1989: Duo Show, Waveny Carriage Barn, New Canaan, CT
1988: Solo Show, Landmark Gallery, Stamford, CT
1981-1999: Branchville Soho Gallery, Georgetown, CT
Numerous Exhibitions, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield, CT
1971: Leob Center, NYU, New York, NY
1972: Pratt Graphics Center, New York, NY
1967: Mother / Daughter Show, Parthenon, Nashville, TN
Juried Shows
2017: 44th Annual Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition, Evergreen, CO
2016: Best in Show, Center for the Arts, Evergreen, CO
2004: Winners Circle, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield, CT
2003: Comstock Award for Drawing, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield, CT
2003: Silvermine Tavern Award for Excellence in Drawing, Art of the Northeast, Silvermine Gallery Art Center, New Canaan, CT
2001: First Prize, Zellner Gallery, Wilton, CT
2000: Liquitex Award, Connecticut Women Artists 71st Annual Juried Show, CT
2000: Watermedia 2000, Houston, TX
2000: Winners Circle, Awards Show, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield, CT
1999: Best Mixed Media, Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield, CT
1996: Art of the Northeast, Silvermine Gallery Art Center, New Canaan, CT
1995: Grumbacher Gold Medal, Connecticut Women Artists, New Britain Museum of American Art, CT
1995,1997 (May), 1997 (June), 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002: Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
1995: National Arts Club, New York, NY
1994: Best in Show, Spectrum, Waveny Carriage Barn, New Canaan, CT
1978: New England Exhibition
New Haven Paint and Clay Club Exhibitions
Connecticut Artists, Stamford Museum, Stamford, CT
Kent Art Association, Kent, CT
Connecticut Painters, Sculptors, Printmakers Exhibitions
In Collections Of
Equion Corporation, Westport, CT
IBM
Central Bank, Meriden, CT
Kathryn Rice, Collector of Little Red Riding Hood Images, New York, NY
Creditsnstalt Bankverein, Park Avenue, New York, NY
Many private collections in USA from Maine to Hawaii
Member
Connecticut Women’s Caucus for Art
1989-2005, Founding member of Comstock Drawing Group
Westport Arts Center
Connecticut Women Artists
1999-2003, School Committee, Ridgefield Guild of Artists
1993-1995, Exhibition Chairman, Ridgefield Guild of Artists
1976-2005, Ridgefield Guild of Artists
Since Then
2005-2008: Moved to Colorado and built new studio
2008: Experiments with new acrylic media
2009 – Present: Fishwater Series
2012: Representation by Canyon Road Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM
2015 – Present: Nexus Series
2016: Best in Show: Colorful Colorado
2017: Rocky Mountain Watermedia Exhibition
