Carolyn Rotter
Born and raised on Long Island, NY, Carolyn earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Art Education. Upon graduating from college she accepted a teaching position as an art educator for the West Islip, NY school district where both parents and administrators recognized her skills in teaching. Realizing education has an enduring effect on children, Carolyn tried to instill in each of her students a deep appreciation for art while fostering their growth and skills. Throughout her more than 30 years of teaching, Carolyn involved her students in painting large murals in halls to remind all who entered the school the importance of art in our daily lives. During her tenure as an educator she received many awards and honors locally and statewide which attest to her distinguished career in the classroom. Among those awards was the PTA Lifetime Membership.
Carolyn has a special place in her heart for people who have suffered from cancer. Sensitive to the depth of their pain both physically and mentally, she undertook the task of painting a number of ceiling tiles for a non-profit organization known as Healing Ceilings, based in Raleigh. Their mission is to replace ceiling tiles in many of North Carolina’s oncology facilities with ones painted by local artists so that those receiving treatment may know they are in our thoughts. Together they have achieved positive results in up-lifting the hearts of those who may be suffering. Carolyn truly believes that art has special healing properties.
It was in in the spring of 2020 that she began to paint small portraits of birds. With news of COVID continually ravaging our country, Carolyn found refuge in painting the innocence of birds. “They sing among the branches” and in her paintings, while offering comfort in a world of uncertainty. Her paintings are suffused with joyous color that comes from an awareness of how light can add vibrancy and directs the viewer to live in that one splendid moment when the bird appeared for them.
Having an artist in the family has assured her relations their walls will be covered with numerous paintings. Over the years as her family has grown she has completed portraits of her young great-nieces and great-nephews. The portraits of these children show the obvious pleasure that this artist imparts in creating her works of art. Her paintings speak to the everyday scene where she tries to capture their guileless youth in oil paints. But that isn’t all that Carolyn paints. She has created a diverse portfolio that includes still-life work, landscapes, and florals in such mediums as watercolor, acrylics and oils. A variety of subject matter and an eye for stating the understated are a hallmark to her creations. A visit to her studio is evidence of a long career as an artist as one will be surrounded by a vast array of paintings, many having been inspired by her world travels.
Today, Carolyn calls Sanford, North Carolina home where she maintains her studio. Choosing to share her passion and to inspire others, Carolyn continues to teach classes, helping others develop their own individual talent. Her works have frequently been accepted into juried competitions and have garnered numerous awards. Carolyn’s paintings are included in private and corporate collections throughout the United States. She is a member of the prestigious organization, Oil Painters of America as well as the Sanford Brush & Palette Club. As a member of the Sanford Brush & Palette Club, she donated her skills and time as the chair-person for their annual art show for two years and also served as Vice-President of this organization. In recent years she has had the distinction of being presented Viewer’s Choice Award, Peer Choice Award, Best Of Show Award, First Merit Award, in addition to other First, Second, and Third Place ribbons. She is now honored to represent the Sanford Brush & Palette Club as Artist of the Year 2022.
Carolyn’s Artist Statement: I am passionate about art. Whether I am viewing it, creating it, and even teaching it – it’s all pretty wonderful. I never doubted I would pursue a life in art and I feel very fortunate to be able to say that. Painting is my vocation, my calling. I like to quote from Roy Adzak who once said, “Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us.” My goal is to paint works that will bring delight to the viewer and a smile to their lips…..I know I smile when I create it.