Carolyn Wilson - Fine Art

PIECES OF ME .... Collage art

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3/20/2025

Branching Out: Press Release

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Date: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  3/15/25
APRIL EXHIBIT:  BRANCHING OUT
EXHIBIT DATES: March 31 – April 27, 2025
RECEPTION:  SATURDAY, April 5– 4 -7 pm
Join
 Carolyn Wilson to celebrate the show and learn about her artistic inspirations. Refreshments will be served.  
​
Sonoma County artist, Carolyn Wilson, presents Branching Out, a collection of multi-media artwork that explores the strength and majestic beauty of trees.  Inspired by Kahill Gribran’s “Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky,” Wilson’s expressionistic style collages depict trees, both real and imagined.  A lover of textures, Wilson specializes in creating collage that has a rich tactile surface built up by gluing multiple thin layers of rice and tissue paper to create complex surfaces.  That tactile sense seems very real in “Dreaming of Bluebell Woods,” where the branches seem to rustle in the breeze.  Root patterns take on a key role in “Barefooted,” a piece that takes us to a secluded lakeside spot at forest’s edge.  “Trees are so important, literally the lungs of our planet, these works enable me to express my deep appreciation for their beauty and enduring role in our lives,” commented Wilson.
An artist for over 20 years, Wilson has been a member of the Upstairs Art Gallery for  fourteen years (manager for thirteen years) and participated the Sonoma County Art Trails Open Studio program since 2014.  Her collage paintings have been published in two books: The Encyclopedia of Watercolor Techniques by Hazel Harrison (UK 2018) and The New Encyclopedia of Watercolor Techniques by Hazel Harrison (USA 2010), 
Meet the artist:  Wilson will be hosting the Gallery on April 4 and 17 from 11-6 pm.  

The Stairway Showcase presents Phyllis Rapp’s “Goin’ South,” a collection of colorful watercolors inspired by the lively spirit and rich colors south of the border.  Cactus plants, tropical birds, and flamenco dancers feature in a rich tapestry of works celebrating the vibrant culture and dynamic rhythms of Latin life.  “Tropical Toucan,” a delicious mélange of lush colors, transports the viewer to a special spot in paradise as artist Rapp takes us south in style.
Meet the artist:  Rapp will be hosting the Gallery on April 27  and 28  from 11-6 pm. 

Upstairs Art Gallery, 306 Center Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448. (707) 431-4214.: OPEN DAILY: 11am – 6 pm.   www.upstairsartgallery.net
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7/20/2023

Step by Step pics - Development of "Lacy Summer" from start to finish

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Reference photo
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Completed collage artwork

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7/15/2023

"Connected to Nature" Healdsburg exhibit August 2023

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​"Connected to Nature" Mixed media collage paintings by Carolyn Wilson.

Exhibit Dates:
July 31 - Aug 27 2023
Open daily 11-6

Upstairs Art Gallery,
306 Center Street, Healdsburg, CA
​(Inside Levin & Company Books, on Healdsburg Plaza).

Opening Reception:
Saturday August 5th
​3:30-5:30pm

I will also be hosting the gallery from  11-6 on Saturday August 12th and Friday August 18th
​if you want to stop by when I"m there.

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Poppy Patterns © Carolyn Wilson. Mixed media collage on canvas 24" x 18". Natural wood frame. $1490
​Sonoma County artist, Carolyn Wilson, presents Connected to Nature, a collection of mixed media paintings that capture the artist’s feelings of awe in nature and express the energy and aliveness she observes in flowers, trees and creatures.  In “Poppy Patterns” we find dancing poppies and pods that come alive in this piece.  “Incorporating both impressionism and realism allows me to convey the energy and spirit of the natural world.  When painting, I am completely absorbed, get lost in the flow and totally tap into my intuition.  It is mystical, magical, meditative,” says Wilson.  Like magical puzzle pieces, thousands of pieces of tissue and rice paper converge to transport the viewer to a special place in nature.
An artist for over 20 years, Wilson has participated in Sonoma County Art Trails Open Studios since 2014. Her collage paintings have been published in 2 books: The Encyclopedia of Watercolour Techniques by Hazel Harrison (UK, 2018) and The New Encyclopedia of Watercolor Techniques by Hazel Harrison (USA, 2010).
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"Wisteria Waterfalls" © Carolyn Wilson. Mixed media collage. 6" x 12". Natural wood frame. $325
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"Zen Gardens" © Carolyn Wilson, Mixed media collage, 14" x 18", Maple frame. $850
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"California Meadow" © Carolyn Wilson, mixed media collage. 9" x 6". Maple frame. $275
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"Solstice Sunflower"©Carolyn Wilson, Mixed media collage on watercolor paper, 16" diam circle , framed 18"x18", $850
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"Flower Power" © Carolyn Wilson. Mixed media collage on canvas. 11" x 14". Maple frame. $560
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"Lacy Summer" ©Carolyn Wilson, mixed media collage on canvas, maple frame. $675
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"Lavender and Lace" ©Carolyn Wilson, mixed media collage on canvas, 14 x 11 x 1.5 deep. No frame. (canvas sides are collaged). $495

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7/15/2023

"Wild Things" Fundraiser - August 2023

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'Wild Things' art exhibit at Corrick's, Santa Rosa

Exhibit Dates: August 4th - August 26th 2023
Featuring widlife artistry by 4 Sonoma County Art Trails artists: Stephen Heagan, Suki Diamond, Diane Schoenrock and Carolyn Wilson.

Opening Reception: Friday August 4th 5-7pm (First Friday)
Corrick's, 627 Fourth St, Santa Rosa.

Fundraiser to benefit Safari West Wildlife Foundation, who's mission is education, notably bringing 'live' wildlife experiences to brighten the stay of kids in local children's hospitals, and connecting them to the animals at Safari West in Santa Rosa.

Safari West was delighted to welcome baby southern white rhino, the preserve's first, born on April 2nd 2023.  Named “Otto Lang,” in honor of Safari West founder Peter Lang’s father, who was a Hollywood film producer.

Artist and animal lover Carolyn Wilson has captured the baby rhino  and his mother Eesha in her signature collage artwork style. (notice the subtle portrait of the human Otto in the collage artwork - look closely to left of artist signature, and map of Santa Rosa). 


This artwork, and other wildlife art, will be available at Corrick's, and a percentage of all sales from this exhibition will be donated to the Safari West Wildlife Foundation.
"Otto and Eesha" ©Carolyn Wilson, 2023, Mixed media collage on canvas 24" x 18" .
Original $1490.
​Fine Art Giclée reproductions are also available.

Details captured during the early stages of the collage process. Can you still see traces of these "easter eggs"?

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Namesake Otto Lang, South African flag, and map of Santa Rosa, largely covered by additional collage layers in the final piece
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Rhinocerous dictionary text - buried in the under layer of Eesha's left thigh, (to the right of her eye)

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3/24/2019

Press Release: African Adventures

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Press Release
Date: For immediate release 3/15/2019
 
African Adventures, mixed media paintings by Carolyn Wilson
Exhibit runs April 1- April 28 2019
Artist reception: Saturday April 13th 5-8pm
 
Is an African safari on your bucket list? Artist Carolyn Wilson has recently crossed it off hers, and it was truly an experience of a lifetime. Wilson's  new series of mixed media collage paintings share her feelings of privilege and awe at being able to observe these magnificent animals up close and personal. Her paintings capture some of her favorite wild animal encounters, especially her favorites, the elephants. 
In Carolyn's collages you will find imaginative use of color and a tactile, textured surface that you may want to touch. Her paintings are also infused with personal history as the beginning layers of collage  are embedded with ephemera, such as maps, words in foreign languages and tickets collected on her travels. So that adds to the story of the piece. Each painting starts very spontaneously with elements of randomness and eventually gets reigned in and refined as it evolves.  "Each painting takes on a life of its own, and the end result is a surprise even to me.  Creating is nothing short of a magical and totally absorbing process." says Carolyn Wilson.
Carolyn Wilson was born and raised in England, and emigrated to the USA when she was in her mid-twenties. She has been an artist for 20+ years and  lives in Sebastopol. Carolyn has participated in Sonoma County Art Trails open studio tour since 2014. Her paintings  have been published in 2 books: The Encyclopedia of Watercolour Techniques by Hazel Harrison (2018) and The New Encyclopedia of Watercolor Techniques by Hazel Harrison(2010)
###
Gallery is open 11-6 Daily
306 Center Street, Healdsburg, CA 94558
www.upstairsartgallery.net
(707)431-4214
 
 
 
 

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9/27/2018

Artists.... First responders for the soul

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A heartwarming article about how many Art Trails artists, including myself, responded to the Sonoma County wildfires of October 2017

"Art can memorialize a joyous occasion, but it  can also strengthen, inspire, encourage and support us in difficult and challenging times".... begins the article written by artist Jan Schultz.
Download magazine to read full article - pages 42-54
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Essential Guide Napa-Sonoma-Marin 2018-19
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4/18/2018

Auction success

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Youth Orchestra heading to Austria for an experience of a lifetime

Artist Carolyn Wilson and her painted violin. Sold ar auction for Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra
Artist Carolyn Wilson, and her painted art violin. auctioned to benefit Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra. Fountaingrove Round Barn, is a beloved Santa Rosa landmark lost in the firestorm of October 2017

Thanks to the generous crowd that attended the Santa Rosa Symphony League fundraiser "Evening in Vienna" multiple thousands of dollars were raised to help pay for 70 excellent young musicians to go on tour  in Austria. My violin alone raised over $1,000 during the live auction portion of the evening.
24 Artists from Sonoma County were given broken and unplayable instruments to turn into works of art. To see pictures of many of the other creative violins  check out the article in the Press Democrat here.
Santa Rosa Symphony "Evening in Vienna" fundraiser crowd
Well attended event
Artist Carolyn Wilson with Alan and Susie Seidenfeld, Santa Rosa Symphony supposrters
Generous supporters of the arts and music.

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2/7/2018

Painted violin ....going under the hammer at live auction

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Sending young musicians to Austria and Hungary

This 'cause' has my support, as I know first hand what a fantastic opportunity this is, so I jumped at the chance to get involved! My multi-talented daughter was a flautist in the SR Symphony Youth Orchestra and, as a High Schooler, had the opportunity to go on tour with the orchestra and  play concerts in the Czech Republic and Berlin.

This year, as a fundraiser to send this years' top musicians to Austria and Vienna, the Santa Rosa Symphony League has organized "An Evening in Vienna" event of eating and waltzing and bidding. Among items to be auctioned off, over 25 violins have been painted by top local artists, 10 of those have been selected for the live auction, and my "Fountaingrove Round Barn" violin is one. To see the violin in person, visit Corrick's Stationery Store, 637 4th Street, in the heart of downtown Santa Rosa (maybe while you are in line for some limited edition Pliney the Younger at Russian River Brewing?)

Painted Violin deoicting Fountaingrove Round Barn, mixed media collage by Carolyn Wilson
Auction preview - See my painted violin at Corricks, 4th Street, Santa Rosa
Click here to buy Evening at Vienna tickets online from Santa Rosa Symphony.
Cost:$25 per person.
Date:April 14th 7-10pm.
Location: SRJC Shone Farm in Forestville
https://tickets.srsymphony.org/TheatreManager/1/tmEvent/tmEvent1344.html

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    Carolyn Wilson - Collage Artist

    Glimpses into studio life as a working artist -  sharing personal insights. Buckle up in the passenger seat as I take you along for the wild ride.

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