Carrie Rodgers-O'Neal
About Carrie:
Personal style begins to evidence itself early in some artist’s work. Looking back at my color choices and painting style, even in the early teen years, I see muted, neutralized colors and a dramatic interpretation of subject.
My colors of choice still, years later, are muted, neutralized and yet vivid. I strive for a fluid flow of color and a high contrast of values in my work. I enjoy allowing the media to have a life of its own (this can result in some real messes on occasion), but what emerges from puddles, water blossoms, misting, and spontaneous strokes of the brush adds excitement and an adventurous mood to my work. I want to capture a viewer by striking an emotional chord that takes them back or forward to a timeless memory of scent, color, warmth and relationships. Typically I cycle through my favored subject matter almost yearly; garden blooms, aged water vessels, stucco and tile streetscapes and childhood adventures.
Practicality drove me to earn a BS in Political Science and Business with summa cum laude and Presidential Scholar honors and then a Masters in Management with concentrations in Information Systems. I worked for twelve years in management and computers but always wanted to be on the other side of the wall in the design departments of the furniture and automotive companies I worked for. The turning point for my career leap was the birth of my third (of four) children. I left the business world to raise and educate my children. This brought opportunities to reenter the art and music worlds where my heart really lies. With my early interest in painting rekindled, I was able to begin studying art via many national and regional workshops as well as locally at the Holland Arts Council. I also became a member of a local orchestra in which I play French Horn. In the past two years, I have been working to learn to play cello and speak Italian! Which helps keep the brain expanding.
The Lord has given me interests, gifts and experiences that have blended together to bring me to a point of owning and managing my own art gallery, framing and art consulting business; Lake Effect Gallery. This allows me to interact with wonderful artists, continue to learn more in both the art and business worlds and employ some marvelous people. What a blessing!
Print Biography
