Biography
I was tutored in art by my father, a gifted sculptor who immigrated from Italy. My mother, being a gifted watercolorist, had significant influence on my art. Other than parental influence, formal training was sporadic. I grew up in Queens, New York and was awarded a full scholarship to the High School of Art and Design. I did not attend. My parents declined the school for reasons I am not sure of. The school was a four our daily commute so perhaps that was why. Later a full scholarship was awarded to go the Fashion Institute of Technology which I attended for one year, but I left abruptly when I realized this education was not leaning toward being happily employed. Hearing that the military needed illustrators I signed on. During these early years I discovered I had a deep interest and drive to paint. I completed my education with a Bachelor of Art from Goddard College in Plainfield Vermont.
Over many years I painted thousands of works in oil, pastel and tempera. For over twenty years I painted impressionist type scenery of Vermont. I developed my own style in juxtaposing pure color over a layered under painting which could be seen in the finished work. These paintings were excitingly executed outdoors in all sorts of weather. The resulting works exhibited intense glowing color with swift brushwork resulting in high energy works.
Throughout my painterly life I would do portraits. I loved to paint people, especially children. I also delved into using tempera paint for a time and created imaginary works of people and places. I enjoyed this medium but found it not as durable or workable as oil paint.
The past seven years began my study of master scenic paintings. Today I use light, distance, form and imagination to compose small scenic works where I live in the beautiful state of Vermont. The resulting works could be called post-impressionist. Unlike the earlier impressionism work this work exhibits a peaceful tranquility.
Over the years my art has been collected by people from many parts of the United States.
Carolyn Ann Bartolini Steward
