About the Artist

Carolyn’s interest in painting became evident as a young adult. Born and raised in San Francisco, California, and being self taught she developed her skills and created a course for beginning artists. She taught this course at the Painting Loft Color Shop in San Carlos, California in 1970 through 1975, and used teaching methods of Decorative Art and Trompe’l oeil (trick of the eye) painting.  

In 1975 she began teaching art classes for the Woodside Recreation Department at the Woodside Elementary School. After a few years and numerous contacts with fellow artists, she and an artist friend started Painted Illusions. The primary focus was to design and paint Trompe l’oeil Murals, both interior and exterior, for businesses and individuals located on the San Francisco Peninsula, in the Woodside, Redwood City, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, San Carlos, and Los Altos communities. 

Custom murals were commissioned and painted for the Duck Club Restaurants in the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Lafayette Park Hotel during this time. Also, a mural was completed for Mountain View’s El Camino Hospital in the Physical Therapy Department. Custom murals appeared in designer show houses benefiting such efforts as the Cancer Society and other foundations. In 1994 she was commissioned to paint a Castle Bed and Room to support the “Make a Wish” Foundation.  This effort was featured in the Peninsula Gentry Magazine.

In 1995 Carolyn’s work went international when she was commissioned to paint a series for Pimpernel. The series titled, “Coffee Cats”, was licensed and sold in Europe, England, and the United States. In 1998 Carolyn started Painted Inspirations, and began selling art to galleries in both Menlo Park and Carmel California.

In 2011 she moved to Santa Barbara. Impressed by the landscape and light she focused on painting Plein Aire of the Coastline and Landscape. She joined various artist groups over the years including:

POPS (Peninsula Outdoor Painters) 

SCAPE (Southern California Painters for the Environment)

GVAA (Goleta Valley Art Association)

SBAA (Santa Barbara Art Association)

New : See my paintings at San Yisidro Ranch Gallery Gift Boutique 

Joining SCAPE was a great way to meet other artists, explore new locations and participate in juried shows at various locations including the Bacara Hotel, Rocky Nook Park, Santa Barbara Near and Far at Channing Peak Gallery, and the Hummingbird Gallery in Carpinteria. After joining the Bacara Resort club, she has been painting Plein Aire of their beautiful property and is currently featured at the Bacara Boutique store.  She enjoys taking commissions and creating “painted Inspirations” for clients.