Art Statement

Carolyn Blaylock’s effervescence for life clearly comes across in her abstract Dreamscape paintings. Full of life and resplendent color, she takes you on an imaginative stroll with nature’s shapes and sounds.

 

“I want to make every color memorable, every brushstroke compelling. My goal is to connect with the viewer’s soul through Dreamscapes that hint of water, flora, fauna, and light. The paintings express my enthusiasm for life, and the wonder I find in creation, rather than an intentional description of nature. I paint loosely and energetically like a ballerina with paint. I don’t start with an agenda; instead I move freely to the dance of the painting finding structure and story, purpose and play, and rhythm and balance.”

 

Using large brushes and palette knives, Carolyn creates colors that sing and soar across her canvas. Some artworks play soft and gentle color notes, evoking a calm and peace. Others modulate bold and bright color notes, expressing vivacity and joie de vivre. Classical string music, a love since childhood, fills her sunroom studio and conducts the rhythm of her hand and brush. Carolyn flourishes on a large canvas, where she works in an additive and subtractive approach, layering paint and scraping areas back with tools to previous layers. 

 

The result is a memorable piece of art that engages the eye and captivates the heart. Carolyn’s joyful art is simply contagious.

 

Carolyn's Story

Carolyn’s lifelong love of color and nature began in pre-school with boxes of crayons and jars of gooey finger paints. Blessed with parents and teachers who encouraged her artistic curiosity, she experimented and filled walls with art and winning ribbons. 

Her passion for painting compelled her onward to the University of Georgia where she majored in advertising design and minored in studio painting. After graduating, she spent a few years in the advertising arena before returning full time to her love of painting. She immersed herself in studying the works of the American and California impressionists, and especially the color work of Wolf Kahn. Like them, Carolyn concentrated on seeing and conveying the effects of color and light on forms. 

Her inspiration remained steady: the Creator, color, nature and their connection to the human spirit. Accolades and awards have followed her from coast to coast, but what she finds most rewarding is seeing the light and life on faces when they view her artworks. 

Her paintings hang in many private and corporate collections including Oprah Winfrey, Duke University, Wake Forest University, Baptist Hospital, a North Carolina Congressman, the National Cathedral, and OtterBox. Forty-six of Carolyn's paintings were recently installed at the Cancer Center at Wake Forest Baptist Center. 

She has had fifteen solo shows in the last ten years. She also jurors exhibitions and teaches workshops here and there and everywhere, finding great joy encouraging others to bring forth their own artistic voice. 

Carolyn is a juried member of The Oil Painters of American, and The American Impressionist Society. Her works have been published in Art Collector, Western Art Collector, Our State Magazine, The Raleigh Observer, Winston Salem Magazine, and Wilmington Magazine.

Carolyn and her husband, CEF (Chief Executive Farmer) make their home in Lake Janette, Greensboro, North Carolina, with the mountains on one side and the sea on the other, and six children living all in between. She and her husband travel often to capture the personality of colorful places, especially France, and particularly Monet’s garden in Giverny.

Whether in her bright sunroom studio or in the wide open air of the outdoors, she’ll be wearing her signature pearls, armed with a paintbrush in one hand and palette knife in the other, both loaded with color and ready to spread joy.

 

Testimonials

Debbie Linville, Houston, Texas

“Lipstick Roses”...need I say more? It was love at first sight! I knew I could not leave the art gallery until it had my name on it.  I envisioned it hung above my white sofa on the soon-to-be-painted red living room walls. There is nothing that says "classy" to me like red living room walls....except to have them kissed.... Everyone (yes, literally everyone - from dinner party guests to the TV repairman) who enters my home is drawn in by this masterpiece. I have seen the infatuation unfold time and time again....first they stare (with mouth slightly open, head tilted to one side), then they straighten and permit the initial awe to give way to the utmost appreciation (as evidenced by their glassy eyed smile) and then....7, 8, 9...that lone word escapes from their blissful state....BEAUTIFUL!!!  Yep, being kissed by “Lipstick Roses” has that effect every time! 

Lynne Kelley, Bermuda Run, North Carolina

The awe-inspiring beauty and wonder of creation….that’s what I see when I look at Carolyn’s art. Rich with unexpected color and bold texture, larger than life pieces draw you into a story unfolding in a single moment in time.  Landscapes that lead you down the unknown path of life, creatures with eyes so expressive you can feel what they’re thinking….with each painting there is a connection…a giggle…a smile…a sigh…..joy. Every piece Carolyn creates for me brings light and inspiration into my home. Her pastel portraits of my boys capture their spirit, revealing the mischievous sparkle in my oldest son’s eyes and the quiet resolve of my youngest. The Garden Girl formed from paper welcomes people into my home with a grace and peace that causes visitors to stop for a moment to take it in. The vivid oil Wildflowers beckon me to walk through them brushing my hands over their gentle heads, a reminder for me to be ever-thankful for the things I encounter on this journey. Finally, the painting in my foyer allows me a peek into a Charleston Garden complete with bubbling fountain, Spanish moss, and playful light that brings memories rushing back of romantic anniversaries celebrated in the city of my birth.  Carolyn’s spirit is magnified in her paintings; her essence poured out in every stroke; her beauty reflected in her art. May each owner be blessed as I have by her gift.

 Diane and Jack Ferguson, Greensville, South Carolina

Our home is graced by five Carolyn Blaylock paintings. The favorite is a 36”X36” of Duncan, a brown bear stream fishing but suddenly distracted by what can only be a drop-dead lady bear. His jaw has dropped, his eyes could grow as big as saucers and the fish are getting away. Carolyn’s paintings are always alive and fun.

Vivid blending of texture and color gives life to her paintings and ignites the viewer’s imagination. Her hallmark is the expressive eyes on her creatures, human or animal.

It’s a pleasure to express our appreciation of Carolyn’s work and to know that many others enjoy her happy creations.

Annie Danielson, Trinidad, Colorado

I am the proud owner of a bear named Murray! He makes me smile every morning when he greets me at the end of my hallway. Murray is a brown bear that has every color of the rainbow but brown in his thick, furry face. I am not sure how such a large bear sports pink, turquoise, chartreuse and violet and still has that imposing grizzly bear look- but he does! His eyes definitely have a twinkle as if he just might drop by my Colorado hilltop home for a little walk through the garden or for a sip out of the hummingbird feeder and who am I to deny such an endearing fellow a little sweet?

How Carolyn brought Murray to life is magical! I'm just so happy he lives with me!

Katherine Jung, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

I simply fell in love with a cow named Fiesta. She is personality. She is color. She makes me smile. In other words, she is the very essence of the person who created her.  I consider myself lucky to have found an artist and friend who creates what I so treasure in art and my life...happiness.

Amy Smith, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

“This truly is beautiful! You are so talented...joy leaps from the picture!”