Carol Young
"Many people ask me how long I've been painting. Well, I've been in love with art for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl I used to draw cartoons and paint rocks and shells for a past time. I continued to illustrate and draw throughout my high school years, entering local competitions and art shows. I knew I wanted to pursue my talent, and became a Fine Art Major in college. It wasn't until I got my first job at an advertising agency in NYC as a graphic designer that I really started to understand layout, composition and the harmony of color. It was then that my painting started to flourish, and my style started to evolve.
I think the first artist I remember truly admiring was Edward Hopper. His use of light and shadow and the moodiness of his subject matter was something I really identified with. As I began to really get into my painting, I remember picking up an art/technique book in a bookstore by the artist Charles Sovek. I got so excited when I reviewed his style and his choice of subject matter. It took awhile for me to realize that he lived right here in CT! I was so surprised to then find out he taught workshops and was a member of the Rowayton Art center where I myself was a member. I took several workshops with him and really saw my work blossom. He had a very simplistic way of teaching that was not intimidating. When I heard that he passed away in 2007, I literally cried. He was a wonderful and talented mentor.
The environment I paint in is very important to me. In 2011 we completed the renovation of our existing garage - we added a room above it as my art studio since I was in desperate need of space. My husband and I designed it to look and feel like a barn. I am so grateful that my husband shared this dream with me, and whenever I go up there to paint a sense of calm comes over me. We've named it The Creative Barn. It's my favorite place to be."
