Carol Talley Artist Reception & Exhibit

Carol is currently exploring abstract landscapes to evoke the sense of both the familiar and the mysterious. Working from a background of a more realistic interpretation of place, she’s expanding into emphasizing color, texture, and atmosphere to access the depth of emotional response to the location. Her greatest joy is to connect with the viewer by creating paintings that express the ineffable and transcendent. Featured painting: “Radiant”, pastel, 9″x12″.

Carol noted, “I explore the landscape by in-person direct observation, and by the recollection of the place. I utilize these approaches as a jumping-off point to create a painting that incorporates the unique feeling of a location. My aim is to capture the essential form, color, and gesture of place, and then distill these elements into a compelling representation, leaving the unnecessary behind and revealing the vital core of a scene. Sometimes the location can be recognized, at other times, the reference has been morphed into a dreamlike image.”

Her art-making journey started young; drawing on the walls of her house with a crayon, imitating Harold and his purple crayon, and getting scolded for it. Undaunted, she continued exploring mark-making while growing up, finding her deepest connection to the world through art.

Besides studying art at UC Santa Cruz, she has worked with Albert Handell, Kim Lordier, Terri Ford, and Debora Stewart. Collectors of her paintings include Casa Barranca Retreat Center, Ojai, CA, The Tynan Group, Santa Barbara, CA, and actor John Cleese.

Check out her website here.