East Durham Artists Network & Gallery

My paintings are influenced and inspired by the natural world around me. I’ve always loved countryside and coast. I spend a lot of time outdoors walking my dogs, taking photographs and making observations and sketches to use in my art. I literally yearn to be out and about; watching the landscape changing with the seasons, observing the clouds in the sky and the waves in the sea; checking out the shades of green in the meadow and the twists in the trees, it all really helps to create the knowledge I need to transfer my daily visions into paintings.

I'm the sort of person that gets bored with doing and seeing the same thing over again so my styles media and subjects are quite diverse. I bounce around with different ideas being inspired by so many things. If I live to be 100 I will never have time to paint everything that I want to. I have over 10,000 of my own photographs waiting to be painted. I love exploring and experimenting with techniques and styles.

I also regularly paint Commission pieces too, so…if you have a favourite place or pet, if you are looking for a specific subject for a gift… Why not commission your a painting?...you will be surprised how affordable it is.

'Painting for me' time is quite limited these days. So much of my time is taken up with preparing and delivering Painting and Drawing classes, workshops or demonstrations. Luckily, I love my job, I get a buzz from sharing my knowledge with others and watching them develop. Painting groups are important and a lifeline to many. It's a great hobby and the therapeutic benefits painting provides are huge; so if I can help create these opportunities for others, it's a worthwhile job.

However I'm coming up to my retirement age later in 2025 ( if they'll let me ) so I'm going to try and make the most of that time as an Artist and cut back on the number of groups I deliver...sorry gang!

I enjoy being a member of EDAN, it pushes me to keep painting and take part in their exhibition programme when I may otherwise not bother. Themed exhibitions stretch us into creating something we might otherwise never do.

2023/24 was my year to take up Sculpture. I've always wanted to try it. I think it was my days working in a school with kids and clay that got my mind thinking I wanted to do more. It's so tactile.
I was inspired by a lady called Debbie Court and attended one of her workshops in Cardiff. Working in Hand made paper clay ( paper mache clay) which has become my new art-form. My dogs have been my subjects mostly and have taken commissions for 3d portraits, as ever time constraints hold me back. so, watch this space this is my retirement project.

More information can be found at www.carolsart.co.uk .www.facebook.com/carolsartpage Twitter @carolsartonline. Instagram carolat_carolsart_Email carols19w@gmail.com