Impressions of Nature

Cover Artist Carol Hallock

by Margaret Murphy

THE WILD AND COLORFUL NATURE of South Louisiana’s landscapes have long captured the heart of artist Carol Hallock. Conjuring images familiar to any Louisiana native, she says, “Bayous, oak trees laying their limbs on the ground, banana leaves, humidity—it is just who I am.”

Hallock and her husband, Jim, knew when they moved back to Louisiana some years ago they wanted to be on the water. Their home, or “house on stilts” as Hallock lovingly refers to it, is situated on the banks of Bayou Lacombe. Her surroundings provide constant inspiration for a naturalist painter like Hallock, who regularly features oak trees, coastlines and cypress swamps in her work.

Well known for her creative use of color and loose brush strokes, Hallock aims to capture the essence of her environment. Primarily working in oil paint, she utilizes a “weton-wet” technique which lets her brush glide paint around the canvas. “It allows me to soften lines while the paint is still wet, encouraging looser strokes,” she explains. One of her favorite tools for this purpose is a silicone-tipped brush that she lightly moves across the paint to further blend colors together while also adding texture to the surface.

South Louisiana’s landscapes are particularly suited to plein air painting, Hallock’s preferred method of capturing her scenes. “A camera just does not see what we see,” she says about her preference for working outdoors over painting from a photograph. “The camera tends to make sharp lines out of things. Nature has much softer lines in real life.”

One of Hallock’s favorite subjects to capture while out on her kayak is Geraldine, the egret. She says, “Egrets are one of the most prominent and beautiful birds found near where I live.” The name Geraldine actually came from Hallock’s mother, who enjoyed naming all of the most common “visitors” they saw near the house. Squirrels were Penelope, the lizard was named Alfred, and, of course, there was Geraldine, the egret. Now, all of her egret paintings start with the name Geraldine, reminding her of happy moments spent with her mother.

Recently, Hallock has also been inspired by landscapes outside of Louisiana. In 2019, she hosted her first painting workshop in Provence, France. As she captured the storied light of the area, painting wheat fields and distant villages, she felt connected to the place. “Painting in Provence helped me to soak in the area and slow the tourist process down,” she says. “The workshops I host are small, which makes for a very tailored experience.” She currently has two workshops scheduled for spring of next year.

When I asked Hallock about her experience during this pandemic year, her response was very relatable. “I started cooking! The more difficult the better—tamales, soup, cabbage rolls—and I don’t cook.” Mostly though, she enjoyed being at home in her house on stilts, taking long trips through the bayou in her kayak. “I found it peaceful staying at home, not having to feel guilty that I should be out and about. I started being more relaxed in my painting, experimenting and taking my time.”

Speaking to a deeper point about what this last year has meant, Hallock notes how art has the ability to soothe others when they are experiencing difficult moments in life. “I have found in the past that art really does help people emotionally. The St. Tammany Parish Hospital’s Healing Arts Initiative is a perfect example of this. It may sound overly ‘arty and lofty,’ but I have seen the importance of my art in healing atmospheres firsthand.”

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Hallock is a graduate of Louisiana State University. Louisiana has not only provided her subject matter, but she has found that it is also the ideal place for her career to grow. “Louisiana supports its artists,” she says. Her most recent show, Gone Bananas featured at Gallery 600 in New Orleans, included depictions of the bayou as well as urban scenes showcasing the revival of one of her celebrated motifs: banana leaves. “My banana leaf scenes have been missing for years, and I felt it was time to bring them back for their fun vibe.”

Hallock does commissions and studio work both in Lacombe and at her 40-acre country home in Southern Mississippi. Though she continues to love spending time in her one-woman kayak, she admits that she recently procured a pontoon boat so she can share her love of plein air painting with friends.

Carol Hallock’s work can be seen at Elizabethan Gallery, 608 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, 225-9246437; Gallery 600, 600 Julia Street, New Orleans, 504895-7375; Sofas and Chairs Design, 123 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-486-9622; Rita Durio & Associates, 337 Heymann Boulevard, Lafayette, 337-232-7022; and Pineapple Gallery at 829 Asbury Drive, Mandeville, 985-264-6382. You can also find more information at Carolhallock.com.