I'm a California native & now call Austin Texas my home.
I love the ocean, the great outdoors & animals.
My childhood home was in a horse area & I worked in stables for horse riding privileges! My favorite trails were in the Griffith Park mountains behind the famous Hollywood Sign.
My career goal was to be a horse veterinarian :)
My grandmother & her father were fine art painters.
My creative expression growing up was making candles, beading necklaces, macrame, sketching ( poorly, since I can't draw), & making hand-made homes for my numerous pets.
In high school, I enjoyed classes in ceramics, drama, creative writing & photography.
I met my husband while attending Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo CA. We married, had 2 sons & I started my career in obstetrical nursing (not veterinary medicine, but, close). We moved to Gilroy CA & filled our ranch home with horses, dogs, cats, birds, bunnies....any animal our sons brought home.
Fast forward 20 years. My husband's employment brings us to Pepperell MA. I retired early & followed my creative heart.
Starting with a ceramic studio in "The Picker Building" in Nashua NH, I created ceramic art & sold pieces at a gift shop in Pepperell.
I also volunteered at the Pepperell Senior Center. It was there that I saw a painting of a colorful Rooster.
This painting spoke to me! It was painted by artist Mauricio Puente Sr, who hosted a weekly paint group, so I joined in.
Mauricio & I became great friends during the two years before my husband's career brought us to Texas. I am forever in debt to Mauricio, my friend & mentor, for being the springboard for my becoming a watercolor artist.
(photo of Mauricio Puente Sr. & Carlin)
My style is impressionism, I paint the feel of a scene, not specific details. I want my painting to invite you in & allow your imagination to fill in the story :-)