Check Out Carol McDonald’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol McDonald.

Hi Carol, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
I had been a left-brained, workaholic administrator for most of my career, and as I was approaching the age of retirement, my very wise husband said, “You need a HOBBY!” Hobby? What on earth would I do?

That Christmas he surprised me with an easel, canvas, and a video of an artist I followed and told me to GO PLAY! And so I did. And it took no time at all for me to realize how much fun painting was! I have been an appreciator and collector of abstract art throughout my life, so clearly abstract art was an interest of mine.

I loved flowing motion and beautiful, bold colors. The more I did it, the better I wanted to get. This hobby thing was fun, indeed! Many, many YouTube videos, workshops, and classes later, my artistic voice began to emerge. People loved seeing my art. I started showing my art in small, local venues, and I got even better feedback–people wanted to BUY my art!

I researched out to a number of art leagues, attended art critiques, and began exhibiting in larger venues. I was encouraged to go through the jury process at the Sonoran Arts League and was approved. From there, I participated in the Hidden in the Hills Art Studio Tour in Cave Creek, AZ, and sold quite a bit of art.

Having worked in business environments my entire life, I knew I had things to do if I wanted to become a professional artist. I enrolled in Jason Horej’s “Art Business Academy” and built a solid foundation for creating my brand. What began as a simple hobby has morphed into a full-blown professional artist career! My art can be seen at On The Edge Gallery on Main Street in Scottsdale, AZ.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Striving to do my best has always been a theme in my life, and with art, it was no different. Learning a new craft comes with many obstacles. I knew nothing about color theory, values, or basic composition. I always laugh when someone looks at an abstract piece of art and says, “My 5-year-old could do that!” Creating a quality abstract painting is NOT easy.

There is no reference photo to guide you–it all comes from nowhere but in your mind. I’m still learning and will continue to do so as long as I paint. I can look at a piece and know that I like it but not be able to tell you why. Abstract art is one-and-done. Every stroke is a response to the one before it, so it’s totally unique.

Some days my work comes together easily, and other days, nothing comes together! I’ve learned to take it in stride and not beat myself up over it. If I approach my work as “play,” things seem to go a lot smoother for me. When I get too attached to a certain part and begin to overthink things, rarely does the piece come together.

I think for most artists, trying to put a price on your work is a challenge. In the beginning, I had to be able to say a price out loud without choking before I’d list it anywhere! As time went on and I developed more confidence in my abilities, my prices have adjusted accordingly–but that has taken several years.

Another challenge for me is actually talking about a piece. I’m frequently asked how I came up with my paintings or what was I feeling at the time. Those are tough for me. My work is intuitive, and I’m doing my best NOT to think while I’m painting. There is no deep, mysterious message in my work–I’m not that profound! I paint what I like and what I find appealing.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I consider my style “contemporary expressionistic abstract.” A comment I hear from people is, “I really don’t like abstract art–but I like yours!” Abstract art conveys different images to different people, so it’s hard to explain what I do.

I’m drawn to bold colors and textures and utilize them in my work. My art seems to have a flowing motion about it, with areas of brightness. I like to experiment with different styles and different materials just to see what happens. The real fun for me is creating something beautiful from nothing and watching a piece evolve.

Each abstract artist has their own style. My work appeals to some and not to others, and I’m OK with that. There’s enough of all of us to go around. Artists learn from and are inspired by other artists. We energize each other!

We appreciate the hard work that goes into the things that we create. I paint because it brings me happiness and joy. I paint for ME. If someone else shares that enjoyment, I’m thrilled. It feels like I’m sharing a part of myself with others.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
This past year has been tough economically for many artists, and it may take some time to get things back on an even keel. I believe economic cycles impact the arts overall, and this affects sales for sure. I haven’t found that crystal ball that tells me what’s around the corner, so I just keep doing what I’m doing–and I’ll continue to do so until such time that I can’t.

Many worry about the impact of AI creating art based on what it’s been exposed to, as well as original art being replicated and sold by others. That threat is real. People question the wisdom of putting their art online as it increases the risk of it getting copied. The internet is our blessing and our curse. In the big picture, the act of creation will always be there because it’s part of being human.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carolmcdonaldfineart.com
• Instagram: @carolmcdonaldfineart
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/carol.mcdonald.98031 

Image Credits
Joseph Saadeh