A Conversation with Caroline Karp

Before we get in to what you do can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I live by the water in beautiful Safety Harbor, Florida. I have two grown sons that you will hear me refer to as my sonflowers. I'm a lifelong teacher and yogini who cares deeply about the environment and wellbeing of humankind.

I'm an expressionist painter/mixed media artist whose work is bold yet serene and focuses on connections with nature, with themes of sailboats, sunflowers, and cityscapes.

When I refer to expressionist painting, I mean that I paint in a way that is painterly and uses a color palette that may or may not be real. I would say that my style of painting blends what is real with what comes from my imagination or artistic eye.

I believe that beautiful artwork can realign us out of fear and into a place of love and delight.

How long have you been an artist?

As a child, I was classically trained as an oil painter. I painted representational subject matter and learned all the techniques of color mixing and planning out a canvas from a well-known wildlife painter. I always had a keen focus on nature.

When I refer to representational art, I mean painting subjects or themes that look true to life like a photograph.

Later, during my undergraduate years in my studio art classes, I focused more on how emotions and circumstances around me affected my work. I began to think about the world globally. I began to study the environment – specifically environmental phenomenon having to do with water and tumultuous weather. This series of work was not representational and was abstract expressionism with much emotion and movement. My painting became so much about the process of making it and the exploration of ideas.

When I refer to abstract expressionism, I mean that there is not a particular subject that I am painting and the work is more about color shape and form.

Now I still focus on the process and my work combines all the passions of my roots as an artist. My work tends toward the representational – but it is loaded with my emotion and expression. It is what makes my work different and easily identifiable.

What inspires your artwork and what you do?

Spirituality and a true love of nature.

I am passionate about painting beauty and creating happiness and joy for all that see and own my work.

My business is to create serenity in living and work spaces. In a world that is noisy and hectic, it is so important to have a place to retreat and rejuvenate. Artwork can do that for you.

How are you different from other artists?

I get to know my patron's personalities, travel habits, families and interests. I interview clients to learn about ideal  palette preference, canvas sizes and painting placements. If you'd like to explore the possibility of working together to create a custom work, let's meet up virtually at my studio. Commissions and studio tours

Another difference between me and other artists is that I work in studies or series. I become inspired and then passionate about topics, study and paint about them, and then find a venue to display them and see how the public interacts with my work. I like to find out what gives people joy and happiness.

I'd like to purchase a piece I see in your gallery. How does it work?

Simply choose from my current collection, either at my studio or on my online gallery. If you purchase online, I will personally prepare your painting for Blue Ribbon Delivery. Blue Ribbon Delivery entails a beautifully varnished and ready to hang painting shipped or delivered right to your door. You can purchase one of a series or the entire collection. GALLERY 

I'd like to paint with you, can I?

Absolutely! You can choose to work with me either individually or as part of a group or at a retreat.

In group or retreat gatherings, I’ll guide you through my creative process and you will be delighted with a piece of art that you created. To find out more about group or retreat painting events complete my Contact Caroline form and we can arrange a complimentary Getting Acquainted Call to plan our time together.

Where do you show your work? 

I show my work online through social media and in many local businesses and galleries around Tampa Bay.

Can I review your CV?

Click here to view my Curriculum Vitae to see my list of solo and group exhibitions, education, juried shows, artist talks, and businesses that have collections of my work