My Walk My World
Original artwork created by the artist, Age 10
I have been on a creative journey my entire life. An arts related education has been critical to expanding my perspective, enhanced my professional career and fueled my love of travel.
As an artist, determination drives me everyday to dive deep within to reflect on how I see the world and then express this energy through various mediums available at my finger tips.
To see the world with eyes wide open is one thing – to courageously channel those feelings into creating art is another. Will it be inspiring? Does it have something to say?
I invite the viewer to walk along with me. Right image: The artist with “Wander & Wonder”
My commitment to absorbingas much as possible about the artistry, product craftsmanship and construction was always paramount during my three decades as a Design Industry Sales and Marketing Executive. As a fine arts trained artist, I was intrigued by an artisan’s process and always inspired by the end results.
My appreciation went far beyond mere admiration. I felt a deep sense of responsibility to connect the beauty, stories, and excitement into curious hands.
In 2017, I launched my own Design Industry company, C.E.R. Consulting, Inc., which continues to expand.
It also set me on a new path to rediscover my own artistic ambitions. I began to paint again.
Watercolor allows me to be free. The freedom to gesture in a spontaneous manner, resulting in mysterious fluid combinations and unexpected rhythmic beauty.
On September 10, 2017, Hurricane Irma impacted Southwest FL. After this historic and devastating storm, I felt compelled to document the destruction all around us which led to my photography series “Remnants from Irma”; a story of hope, healing and the cycle of life.
I started to collect discarded fragments of beauty.
After photographing and manipulating digitally, I realized this found object represented more than the intrinsic value I was drawn to. It became a symbol of hope and healing. Life back in balance.
Forty images are available in the “Remnants from Irma” series.
I embrace photography as a tool to film textural imagery both monumental and subtle in nature. This inspires me to explore line, shapes, repetition, pattern, composition and color reimagined in new ways.
“AVENUES”, a series of eight abstract acrylic paintings, evolved from graphic moments captured.
From left to right – “AVENUES” no. 2,3,1 – Acrylic on canvas
“AVENUES” no. 4,5,6 –
From left to right –
Acrylic on canvas
RHYTHM OF THE ROAD
There is always another story hidden within.
“Rhythm of the Road” developed by first identifying specific dynamic areas of pattern and color in the “Avenues” series. Influenced by Pop Art and Hard Edged Painting, I wanted to see how the spacial relationships changed as they grew larger.
Hand drawn details were expanded onto canvas. Only when flat luminous acrylic color was added did the exaggerated spaces take on a surprising new animated life.
There are eight paintings in “Rhythm of the Road”.
Color immersion was an integral part of my professional career in the textile industry. Color helped express the emotion behind the design and its spirit could immediately change the energy of a space.
I will FOREVER be a student of the theory, science and art of color. Its power has the ability to stop you in your tracks, pushing all emotional buttons.
“FLY HIGH” – 48” x 60” Acrylic on canvas
Detailed photograph of “ERUPTION” 48” x 60” Acrylic on Canvas
“DIVE IN” – 48” x 60” Acrylic on canvas
TORN
The genesis of “TORN” manifested from the digital printed imagery from “REMNANTS FROM IRMA.” I began to tear the archival paper, randomly twisting the ragged edges into a variety of design fragments. Inspired, I realized the true essence from the trees themselves – their wood pulp – would begin to radiate a new energy onto and off of the canvas.
I adhered the torn pieces onto canvas, intersecting them in various directions; each link as important as the next. Acrylic paint and colored pencils were added to layer in textural depth and translucent reflection. My intention for this collection is to reflect the rhythmic beauty of nature’s magnificence, honor our connection to the Earth and our lifeline to each another. There are currently nine mixed media paintings in “TORN”.
TORN I “Out on a Limb” - detail
L to R : TORN I “Out on a Limb” / TORN III “And then, the Wind Blew” each 48” x 60” mixed media
TORN III – “And then, the wind blew” detail
TORN II “Straight to the Heart” 48” x 60” mixed media on canvas
TORN IV “Improvise” 48” x 60” Mixed media on canvas
TORN IV “Improvise” detail
TORN V “Momentum” 48” x 60” Mixed media on canvas
TORN V “Momentum” detail
Right image: TORN VI “Grounded” 48” x 60”
TORN VI “Grounded” detail
In quiet observation, the energy of the earth penetrates our spirit. Trees reach for one another and grow in harmony. There are no two alike. They root, bloom, hold, release, bend, expand, age, grasp, break, heal and die.
We plant them in memory of those we love and have lost. They are a sensual reminder of our own existence and humanity.
TORN VII “Acceptance” 60” x 98” Diptych Mixed media on canvas
TORN VII “Acceptance” detail
TORN VIII “In the Kew” 48” x 60” Mixed media on canvas
TORN VIII “In the Kew” detail
TORN IX – “Within Reach” – Mixed media on canvas – 60” x 96”
TORN IX - “Within Reach” - detail
STORM TEARS
It is incomprehensible how the powerful storm surge generated by Hurricane Ian devastated so many of our SWFL communities.
“STORM TEARS” is the result of my grieving heart searching for hope, healing and light for those who have recently lost everything.
There are three paintings in this series.
“STORM TEARS” – I, II, III – Each panel 48” x 60” – Acrylic on canvas
STORM TEARS NO. 3 detail
CAROLYN REED For over three decades, in between her successful career in the home furnishings industry, Carolyn Reed has been selling her paintings and photography for both private and commercial projects. Her professional contacts in the interior design industry provide her with an opportunity to work directly with project specifiers and end users. Her work exists in residential homes and contract locations throughout the US in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina and Texas. Most recent projects include: International collaboration – (silk scarf project with Rubelli Textiles, Venice, Italy – March 2021) Lighthouse ArtCenter (Tequesta, FL – Jan. 2020, photography/ included in H20 Trickle Down exhibition) The Windsor Condominium Project (Naples, FL. - Oct. 2019, photography / public space install) Past distinguished commercial installations include: Marriott Hotels (Upstate NY location), Smith Barney (Chicago, IL.), Houston River Oaks Country Club (Houston, TX.), Westchester Country Club ( Westchester, NY) Inquires may be directed to: cereed99@gmail.com ***Follow CER on instagram @carolynereed ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2022
AVENUES no. 7 20” x 27” – Acrylic on canvas Photography by Harry de Zitter