CAROLYN KOLLEGGER
DESTIG TORONTO - ART | DESIGN | TRAVEL - ISSUE 09 / JANUARY 2021
BEST OF 2020 | TODAY'S GREAT CANADIAN ARTISTS | SPECIAL ART FEATURES | HOT PICKS
"HOW MARVELOUS THAT THEY BROUGHT FORTH SUCH MAGNIFICIENCE FROM THEIR BRUSHES AND CHISELS." - ANONYMOUS
"For me, a painting begins when something about a scene catches my eye and my heart. I have an inner stirring that says you've got to paint this. Usually it has to do with the light... a highlight on something, rim lighting perhaps or high contrast of light and shadow - drama!"
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Carolyn is passionate about all things mountain and
the globe that come to Las Vegas, to all the State and
desert. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and travels
National Parks in the West! They are very enthusiastic to
the Western US with her husband, Erwin, a
see these amazing places!! As a tour company he
Professional Tour Operator, and paints En Plein Air
currently offers THE ONLY Painting & Hiking Tour to
while he hikes and climbs. Together they currently
clientele and this gives me many great painting
offer the only Painting & Hiking Tour to visitors to
opportunities as well as the opportunity to pass on my
Las Vegas,
love of the great outdoors and painting En Plein Air!
Please share with us your background and journey to
When I was 10 years old I started Summer oil painting
the artist you are today.
lessons at a prestigious Museum, the Butler Institute of
I am passionate about all things mountain, ocean and
American Art, in Youngstown, Ohio. Many a Summer
desert inspired by woodsmoke, pine, sage, and salt
morning I rode there on my purple sparkly banana seat
air!! I call Las Vegas, Nevada, home and travel the
bike with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in my basket
Western US with my husband, Erwin, a Professional
to enjoy for lunch under one of the huge trees on it's
Tour Operator with his own business, Out West
expansive front lawn! Still today, when I open my Pochade
Adventure Tours, which takes visitors from around
box and the smell of oil paints greets me, I am transported
"Through my high school and college years of art education and exploration I experienced many other art mediums such as oil pastels, watercolors, and acrylic paints, but when all was said and done I returned to oil paints as my medium of choice."
back in time to my beginnings as an oil
with other tremendous Western artists
painter and I thank God for giving me that
Matt Smith, Jim Wodark, and Bill Cramer,
in my life!
deciding landscape painting was for me!
Through my high school and college years
Now, I travel and visit the State and
of art education and exploration I
National Parks of the Western United
experienced many other art mediums
States capturing their beauty, in oil paints,
such as oil pastels, watercolors, and
for future generations. While I am based
acrylic paints, but when all was said and
in Las Vegas, Nevada, I also consider the
done I returned to oil paints as my
nature of Arizona, California, Utah, Idaho,
medium of choice.
Montana and Wyoming to be my home!
A turning point in my career was the
Through my website I offer original oil
opportunity to be mentored by Master
paintings, (online and in-person) lessons,
Artist Tim Tanner while living in Jackson
and accept painting commissions.
Hole, Wyoming. Represented by The Legacy Gallery at that time, I had the
You studied at the world renowned
opportunity to spend many hours there
Butler Institute of American Art. Tell us
surrounded by his art as well as a host of
about this time and its impact on you.
other world-class artists, seeing this was
When I was 10 years old my mother
the level I wanted to attain with my own
enrolled me in Summer oil painting
art. I went on to study Plein Air painting
lessons at the famous Butler Institute of
American Art and how prophetic that was to come to be in my life! From the first moment I held brush to canvas and smelled the oil paints and Linseed oil I was hooked!! I raced there each lesson day, way ahead of all the other students, on my purple, sparkly banana seat bike, with a delicious peanut butter sandwich in my basket for lunch. When I would get there, (because I was there sooo early!) I had the ultimate privilege of getting to go into one of the backrooms with the Curator and help carry out all the easels and supplies for our days work! Wow! And I spent hours wandering the art filled rooms staring at all these incredible masterpieces!! Today it still takes my breath away! I love it. When I open my pochade box to paint the smell transports me back in time and I remember it like yesterday! After lessons, before heading home, I'd sit in the huge front lawn under the big trees and eat my peanut butter sandwich! On my way home I'd stop at the library to take out yet another of their many Step-By-Step drawings books to take home and continue my education there. I was always drawing and before long could draw anything I saw. My bedroom was set up with an easel and oil paints. I painted mostly horses... little did I know my future would would be as a Western artist! Through my teen years I regularly went into the local college book store at Youngstown State University to buy art supplies to teach myself other disciplines. My mom was there getting her Masters Degree so I would tagalong with her to school and she'd give me money and send me off to the bookstore where I spent hours browsing supplies! My art education has been lifelong and included high school courses, college courses where I studied life drawing, and then private studies with several incredible Master artists like Tim Tanner, Matt Smith, Jim Wodarkand Bill Cramer. In fact I am a sum of all the wonderful art teachers that have touched my life. It's all been so wonderful!! I am so thankful and grateful for the Butler Institute of American Art and I hope one day to have a work acquired by them (and I have just the piece in mind wink wink), the Museum that started it all for me!!!
How do you approach painting?
"Importantly, the composition needs to be able to answer the question "What do I want to say here?" That helps me identify my focal point which is necessary for placement within the composition and edge work as I paint."
For me, a painting begins when something about a scene catches my eye and my heart. I have an inner stirring that says you've got to paint this. Usually it has to do with the light... a highlight on something, rim lighting perhaps or high contrast of light and shadow - drama! I feel like light draws the eye into the scene. Importantly, the composition needs to be able to answer the question "What do I want to say here?" That helps me identify my focal point which is necessary for placement within the composition and edge work as I paint. And, if I can name the painting, that solidifies it in my mind... if I can't, I feel like I don't have a solid start. I start with some quick thumbnail sketches and I take some photos for reference so when the light changes I don't chase it but can refer back to my photo. It's amazing having cell phones that make this very easy to do!! Also to turn a color photo to gray scale for values. Things go pretty quickly from here as the light changes so quickly. Based on the thumbnail sketches I know if I'll paint the motif in Portrait or Landscape. I use a thinned paint color, usually Yellow Ochre but sometimes Ultramarine Blue to draw in the main masses. I use these two colors because they are colors I use frequently in
the underpainting. Establishing lights and darks is the goal here and to judge the paintings balance. There is SOOO much to painting, so many moving parts so-to-speak! Most people never realize and if we do our job well, we make it look easy!! Almost every artist is excited about the start of a new painting... in the middle phase enthusiasm can wane as obstacles come up that weren't addressed by pre-planning with thumbnail sketches and design. Many paintings never see the finish because of this. With students I work with we address this very fact. With solid preparation it is possible to finish works Alla Prima, which is, in one session. my color mixing and will therefore be basically absorbed into
People will ask me how long it takes to finish a
my painting. Addressing my color palette, I use a limited
painting and I answer that it varies. Size and
palette consisting of a warm and cool of each - yellow, red and
complexity are the big contributing factors.
blue which I split on my palette warms on one side cools on the other with white anchors, so-to-speak, on each end. This is my
Obviously smaller less complex pieces can take just
own device and break from a traditional palette setup but it
a few hours, or a few hour session or two. When I go
works quite nicely for me. I will have a puddle of Burnt Umber
out in the field Plein Air painting I take 2 sizes of
and Thalo Green handy at times. I always start with a nice size
linen panels, 6 x 8 and 9 x 12. If a composition seems
pile of cool purple since that is the base of so much of my color
worthy I may take it to a larger piece. I do have a lot
mixing. After the draw in, I go for somewhat of a value study in
of people that like to collect these sizes though.
Many times the people that see me painting in the field are the ones that want to acquire that painting.... because it has become sentimental by virtue of their experience that day and by a personal connection we established which means the world to me. What is specifically unique about your work, how can a painting be recognised as a Carolyn Kollegger? That is an interesting question because unlike some artists that are identified by a certain specific genre selection, I feel I am identified by the geographical location of my work. And, I am a storyteller. I am out there in the field with extreme temperatures and often, circumstances, and I share that back story with art patrons! Even something as light and funny (now!) as the time I got attacked by a bee on my easel when I started to paint, I share about a painting! While I am identified as a Landscape and Wildlife Artist of the West, that encompasses much... much territory and varied flora and fauna. I do love and want to paint everything, all if it!! This of course requires one getting good at everything! You need to learn about and get good at all sorts of animal anatomy - horses, deer, Big Horn Sheep! And locale... desert,
mountains,
beach,
street
scenes
from
everywhere... I love it all!! I have a Western Children’s Series I started years ago and this, along with Commissions I do, requires figure work and portraiture. So, for me, I can't restrict myself and, believe me, I've thought about it, and would love to do that, but that isn't being true to me. It has been said though, that to be good at any one discipline within oil painting you need to have experienced all of them... that only makes you a stronger, better, artist, and I believe this is true! At the end of the day, I feel people will be able to identify me by my Plein Air and landscape work with my consistent color palette, clarity of focal point, solid representationalism with detail, and beautiful refined brushwork! How do you want your paintings to impact viewers? I want people that contemplate my work to be impacted by the amount of love I pour into my subjects and compositions. They will get clarity of what I have chosen to paint by how I thoroughly, but not laboriously, I over render my work. I pay attention
to, and really care about, detail. I feel like I love pulling
Describe some of the typical reactions from people
out certain details wherein I could choose to leave them
that discover your work?
out to lessen the amount of work for myself but I don't.
Well, some of the most common things people say to me
This is important because my Mission Statement is: With
are "Did you paint that?", "Do you sell your work?" and
so many global catastrophes ravaging our landscape, I
"Do you have a business card?". I am also thankful to be
feel called to capture in oils the fragile, vulnerable, ever-
able to say that people frequently comment "Wow,
changing landscape, as it is today, for future generations.
that's very good!". There are so many people that LOVE coming upon an artist at work and they actually want to
So, I want Yellowstone National Park to look like it does
take a picture of me or with me, which makes me feel like
and the same with Yosemite and the Grand Canyon...
a Rockstar! I am especially thankful if at that moment my
etc! Especially, iconic images like the Grand Teton need
painting is beyond " the awkward phase"!!
to be identifiable! What if one day part of the Grand Teton cracked off? My images pre this event would
I of course talk to everyone and some of these very
remain a part of history! I know that's a dramatic
people are the ones that will purchase that particular
example but it serves to drive my point home. Thank
painting they saw me working on as soon as it is put on
goodness for images of the New York City skyline pre
the website. So you never know who you are talking to!
9/11/2001! So powerful! So as artists, and certainly
Some people say "Wow, I always wanted to be an artist.",
photographers included, we do have this commission in
or "I always wanted to try painting." So, I hand them my
life, I consider it an opportunity, to convey an accurate
paint brush and tell them to go ahead and they are
pictoral description of our landscape and I want my work
adopted! They say, "No no, I don't want to mess it up!"
to stand up amongst the best and for the long haul!
To which I say, "Don't worry, you can't mess it up!" They
"Fresh Fish" another friend/ collector who said she knew when she first saw me working on Honey, the Grizzly Bear, in my studio she knew she was going to buy it when I finished it!! All of these sales, when I doubted myself and my abilities, told me I was on the right track and to just keep going... My hardest piece "Two Dear", wherein I agonized over the correct rendering of every detail including the accurate portrayal of the river water and under-water rocks but, most especially the little gal floating the river in the tube... because my precious youngest daughter was the model and it needed to be more than perfect!! The couple that purchased it were very appreciative of all of it are so relieved and they ever so cautiously touch brush to
and it taught me that the time, and even extra time, we
canvas like they're terrified! They make a stroke and they
put into pieces is worth it! Don't accept half backwards
beam with delight!! It is so gratifying!! But another
work from yourself but push for the best you can do!
interesting common reaction that people have, is multiple purchases. A new collector may ask, do you have any
The first Commission I received was a total surprise and
more work I can see and I am thinking they don't like this
came out of the blue, "Wedding Meadow". A groom was
particular piece and would rather have another but then,
entrusting me to paint the meadow he and his bride-to-be
they buy several and in some cases many. When I think in
would be married in! It was to be a gift to his bride on
terms of Collectors rather than more Collectors, my
their wedding day and it brings me to tears even now as I
Collectors have more paintings! I can identify in my mind
think of it! Talk about no pressure.. It spoke to me of the
these Collectors, our encounters, and I am deeply moved
trust Collectors of Commission pieces put in us.
by their love and support of my work and my career. Wow! These are awesome people who were put on this
My first multiple art piece sale (8 pieces in all plus a
earth, I'm sure, to validate artists.
Commission, "Three Amigos") broadened my horizons so to speak! Where before I had thought it was great good
What 3 paintings would you say best define your career
fortune to sell one piece at a time, now someone validates
so far and why?
me in an even more significant way! And this particular
So I have more than 3 paintings that define my career and
couple had such integrity as to offer me MORE money for
this is why: My first Gallery sale: I took in the painting
the Commission because they thought I under valued it! I
"Head Count" and left it with the Gallery owner hoping
mean who does that?! That taught me about the integrity
somewhere along the way it would sell and I wouldn't
of art Collectors and makes me strive to live up to their
look like a fool!! She called me 5 minutes after I left and
belief in me as an artist.
said a couple walked in right after I left it with her, bought it, and could I bring her more! I was so thankful and
My first sale during all the chaos and unexpectedness of
learned about the Gallery /Artist relationship.
Covid was to a wonderful couple that already had a piece of mine "Home On The Range". They reached out and
My first REALLY LARGE piece... "Bucket of Chicken"
inquired about several pieces I had on my website and
because a friend with a vacation home near us bought it.
acquired three. This taught me that there are truly angels
Our kids played together when they were in town and
out there that will keep us buoyed up and moving forward
when she saw it in my studio she asked how much I was
in even the worst of times! All of my Collectors are
going to ask for it. She wrote me a check right then and
precious and life-altering encounters of the best kind!
there! I learned about the power of friendship and about
They keep me fortified for the artistic journey still to
framing and shipping really large pieces!
come and keep me demanding the best of myself!
You were a big city person (you lived and worked in NYC
When I paint, I lose all track of time! The artistic process for
as a marketing director for several firms). How did you
me leaves no room for meals or phone calls or other
develop a passion for western landscapes?
distractions if I have my way, there is just the mission in
I grew up on the East Coast and actually never thought I'd
front of me and I am buoyed by excitement and hope...
live anywhere else really. We had a beautiful home in
HOPE that keeps me moving forward taking this vision, this
Florida and a stable full of horses and were quite set. I
idea I hold in my head and getting it down in oils on canvas. I
didn't yearn to move out West, it just happened as a
am single-minded in my pursuit to bring out the most
natural course of events... such as often happens with
perfect representation of my subject I can achieve.
destiny! The economic collapse of 2007 caused my husband and I to rethink our life plan.
What can we look forward to in 2021 from you? I am excited for all 2021 holds for me! It will be a great year
Having spent the majority of their lifetime in Florida we
for creativity and productivity! I will be out in the field most
wanted to show our children life in the mountains (my
of the time!! I plan to participate in as many outdoor
husband being from Switzerland)! So, we moved the
Invitationals and Plein Air Festivals as possible, creating an
family to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where my husband had
awesome body of work, at various locales, the rest of the
spent some time as a ski racer in his 20s. I will never
time! When we aren't out on a multi-day Canyon Tour we
forget driving up to the top of the Pass that leads into
travel by motorcoach which is quite nice to various
Jackson, with our pickup truck and trailer full of horses
locations including the California coast, Arizona, Wyoming,
and looking down seeing the beauty of Jackson Hole for
Montana, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and for the first time,
the first time - I KNEW I had arrived at a destiny place!
Alaska! I will also be preparing for a lengthy stay in Europe
Wow!! Talk about life-changing! Seeing and living among
where I plan on doing pastoral scenes of the Swiss Alps as I
the seasons and the scenery of Jackson, the Grand Teton
have dual citizenship; American and Swiss (by marriage).
National Park, and Yellowstone National Park I wanted to
I want to do street scenes as well because Switzerland,
paint like never before and capture it all! So, I don't think I
France, Italy - all of Europe has these wonderful outdoor
developed this interest in the Western landscape, it was
gourmet eateries that are so colorful! And then, there's the
always there deep down, just waiting for ME to arrive!
Eiffel Tower to be painted!! As my husband will be climbing Acongagua in Argentina, as prep for an Everest Summit,
What do you enjoy most about painting and what do you
Patrons can expect to see some of those landscapes coming
feel when you are creating?
from me!! 2021 will see me Juried into more prestigious Art
What I love about painting is being able to manipulate the
Shows and having Exhibitions of my work as well!! It will be
oil paints first color-wise then value-wise then creating
a busy and amazing year!!
masses and forms with every step getting closer to a finished image that will be delightful to look at and enjoy!
Website: www.carolynkollegger.com