The fifth in my series dedicated to artists and creator marketing, I met Carolyn under very unfortunate life-altering circumstances 10 years ago. I say ‘met’ though we haven’t had the opportunity to do that in person – yet. We’ve been digital friends since then and are bonded for life. Though I lived in Dallas, TX while I attended graduate school, I didn’t know her then. However, in 2017 when I was in New Orleans on a business trip I realized I was just blocks away from the local gallery that shows her work, so off I went. She specializes in miniature paintings (hence the magnifying glass) that are incredibly intricate and absolutely beautiful and I’m so glad that I was able to see them in person.

Read on to learn more and why she says that “being an artist is not for the faint of heart.”

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To give readers a bit of perspective, tell us a little about yourself in a paragraph or two.

Born and raised in Texas, I have been inspired by the vast landscapes and creatures that dwell within it. I have always had a talent and love of drawing. I was unable to attend college after high school and so I floundered around with making some art but never considering it a career. I married and had one child and it was after he was a teenager that I felt the stirrings of wanting to attend college to try and pursue my art education. I began at community colleges around the Dallas, Texas area and it was then that I set my sights on a full Bachelor’s Degree in art, specifically Drawing and Painting. After graduating with a BFA in Drawing and Painting from the University of North Texas, School of Visual Art and Design I gave myself two years to hopefully find gallery representation as that was my career goal. I began by entering competitions, donating art in order to get my name and work “out there” and constantly sending my work to galleries to try and get representation. I was chosen for a local group show at a prestigious gallery in Dallas. From there I received the offer of a contract and have been showing with them for 20 years.

What has been your most successful marketing or promotion to date?

I leave the marketing and promotion to my galleries. They receive a substantial portion of the sales and therefore I do not have to participate in the marketing aspect of my work.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Being an artist is not for the faint of heart. It requires not only dedication to your work but also the ability to deal with many rejections and disappointments. It takes tenacity and the ability to continue on when you just think that quitting is a good option. Don’t listen to the voices…they lie!

If you’re a visual artist and you post your work online, do you use watermarks to protect your work?

I rarely post my work online and only when it is in the promotion of one of my shows. What are some other creative/artistic outlets you enjoy? I enjoy baking and caring for my critters, one very old dog, and two cats.

So readers can support you, please list any links where we can find your work online.

www.craigheadgreengallery.com
www.lemieuxgalleries.com

Thank you, Carolyn.