About Carol

 Looking for my artist resume? Click here

Welcome!

Are you an art enthusiast? Do you love to collect, create, or simply appreciate art? If so, you understand the profound impact art can have on our lives, enriching us in countless ways. Take a moment to envision a world devoid of art. Now, imagine a world stripped of color. It's a difficult exercise, isn't it? The truth is, art and color are inseparable from our human experience.

Upon viewing my paintings, one common sentiment I often hear is, "I love your use of color!" This fills me with joy and serves as a testament to the power of color in art. Indeed, color is often the first element that captures the viewer's attention, igniting a visceral response. With this in mind, one of my primary aims as an artist is to craft compositions that achieve a harmonious balance of color.

Another facet of my artistic intention is to infuse my work with a sense of depth. While many abstract paintings tend to appear flat, I strive to create pieces that draw the viewer in, compelling them to explore further. Intriguing textures play a pivotal role as well, inviting contemplation of the materials and techniques employed to achieve such effects.

Reflecting on my childhood spent amidst the serene confines of suburban forests, I find inspiration in the beauty and authenticity of nature. Much like my youthful explorations among towering trees, my artistic process involves a journey of discovery. Working in oil mixed with cold wax, I meticulously build layers of texture, employing an array of unconventional tools to manipulate the surface. It's a process akin to excavating hidden treasures in the woods, each layer revealing new depths and complexities.

Throughout this journey, I find myself immersed in a state of creative exploration, responding intuitively to shapes, values, lines, and hues. The initial stages are often chaotic, but as the painting evolves, a distinct "voice" begins to emerge. I may accentuate certain elements to enhance visual interest or conceal them beneath layers to create depth and tension. In the final stages, I strive to resolve the chaos, harmonizing disparate textures and layers to create a cohesive whole.

Each painting I create serves as an invitation to embark on a colorful inquiry, inviting viewers to engage with the work on a intuitive level. If you're seeking to add with beauty, color harmony, and intrigue into your home or office, I invite you to explore my portfolios. And should you feel inspired to acquire a piece or simply wish to discuss art further, please don't hesitate to Contact Carol.

Thank you for taking the time to visit. Your support and appreciation mean the world to me.

Before my passion for color

I was a school psychologist during which time I became the lead negotiator of a teachers contract, and then I entered the corporate world. Those stiff business suits were traded in for an artist’s smock at the age of 36. My beloved late mother-in-law introduced me to watercolors and I became a duck swimming in water.

Watercolors consumed me for 15 years. I became the President of the Minnesota Watercolor Society, was on the cover the Watercolor! Magazine, and earned a signature membership with the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. Since then, I have worked in pastels, acrylics, oils, and mixed media. My favorite tool is the palette knife and creating visual vacations.

With color harmony and multiple layers, my intent is to invite you in to take the time to contemplate, reflect and imagine …to take you to another reality.  

Visit My Portfolio page to view my work.

Other fun facts

• I was born in Iowa and grew-up west of Philadelphia.
• I was a foreign exchange student in Sweden for a year.
• I attended Bradley University, Peoria, IL, and the received two degrees in educational psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
• Much of my adult life was spent in Minnesota and I now live in Colorado Springs with my husband of 35 years, and two cats.
• My first book is a memoir "Painting My Passion: An Artist's Journey with the Women of the West," published in 2002.
  
• I love to work with my hands be it woodworking, cooking, sewing, and gardening.
• My sacred place is our mountain cabin, where I annually spend a month on my own painting, writing, and hiking.
• I started dying my hair red at age 55.
• I am known as someone who is spunky, direct, clear, passionate, compassionate, and I am an introvert who is not shy to speak up.

I would love to hear from you. Drop me a note or question

by contacting me here.

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Studio entrance (above).

Studio sink, flat files and door to the loo (above).

Northwest corner of my studio (above) with my dog Kyla, now deceased, wondering when we are going for a walk!

Please click here for my complete artist resume.

Formerly known as Carol V. Gray. I legally changed my name in 2006 because 'gray' was not colorful. I took another family middle and surname that reflects more of who I am.