Carole Garland, born and raised in Chicago, drew and drew from early childhood.
Encouraged by teachers, she minored in art at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois.
She continued both acrylic and oil painting at the Art Institute of Chicago and the
University of the Americas, Mexico City. After moving to Los Angeles, in the 70's
she studied with Keith Finch, Otis Institute, at his Venice Studio.
Concurrent to her art pursuits, Carole worked as an associate editor on a magazine,
publicist, assistant to a producer/writer/director, book editor, and when she finally
got practical, an executive in sales.
Following a 12-year hiatus from art, she returned, looking to the outdoors as
inspiration, and became a plein air watercolor painter, studying with Don Blaisdell,
UCLA. In 2003, she became a full-time artist, returning to oils, her first love, and
continuing to paint the landscape. She studied with renowned artists Frank
Serrano, Jeff Horn – and Ron Pekar.
“My love of nature began during vacations at my aunt and uncle’s farm in
Northern Wisconsin. The cool creeks - meadows abundant with fragrant grasses, wild raspberries -sunny days, blue skies and clouds. My passion for the outdoors was reignited as an adult when I began hiking the Santa Monica Mountains – the scrub oaks, the rocky streams, distant mountains – all so dynamic, I want to capture the absolute awe I feel, sometimes it’s a spiritual experience, just to be outside, observing the afternoon shadows darkening the corner of a field.”
Active in several art groups, she is currently Paint-Out Co-Chair of the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore and on the Painting Patrons Committee for the California Art Club.