Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Fennell.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Carol. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I packed up my one-bedroom apartment just after receiving my MFA in painting from Northern Illinois and headed west. I could barely see out of my plant-filled vehicle, but I couldn’t miss the mountains, the blue sky and bright sun that warmed on even a cold winter day. I hadn’t been to Colorado before but fell in love with the mile-high city and the guy I met on my first night here. It was 1992, I was fresh out of college, and coming from the Chicago art scene, Denver’s art world seemed small.
I became involved in running CHAA, Capital Hill Art Association, Parker Cultural Commission, Open Studio Coordinator and placed my work in several galleries, including J. Howell Galleries in Larimer Square, Evergreen Gallery, Majestic, Ole Moon, and 825, many of which are no longer around. From there, I continued to produce work and talk to galleries about representing me. It is one of the things most artists don’t enjoy but is necessary for growth. I expanded my gallery scene to Chicago IL, Sedona AZ, Omaha NE, Dallas, TX, as well as ski towns of Vail and Breckenridge. At that time, I was producing full time in my clay studio for galleries. More recently, I focused my attention on galleries in Santa Fe, Omaha, and Dallas, as well as producing art for art consultants. Consultants bid on large art jobs such as hotels, airports, hospitals, office buildings and sometimes in homes. They have many walls that need filled and call on artists for commissions or art purchases for their buildings. I have my work in more than 80 public spaces.
Early in 2020, pre-pandemic, I decided to devote my time to give back. I talked to Family Tree, a non-profit addressing the interconnected issues of child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness, and offered working with the residents to create art that relates to the question of “what is home?” I wanted the residents to build a picture of what home meant, not what their home situation was, but what it meant to them. We planned to build a “home” of wood and showcase their work. The interactive piece was due to be installed in Stanley Marketplace in July and at 40 West in November. I worked in the shelter for a month and a COVID-19 hit. I am hoping to get back in and work with these amazing residents and share their stories through their work.
Great, 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?
I would not say it has been an easy or smooth road, but I have been fortunate to be able to earn a living from art. A big struggle for me has always been the tension of having to create smaller, sellable items versus making art that promotes a message. For example, recently, I have created a small swarms of butterflies that I installed around the city. I cover part of the colorfully painted butterflies in tar, representing the number of them we have lost in recent years. I want viewers to think and maybe question what is driving these numbers down. I also install bees in cracks in buildings, as magnets on bridges and so forth. The shelter project also speaks to me, but it is costly as I purchase supplies, and work with residents in my free time. These art projects are from the heart, but do not pay the bills.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I am a mixed media artist known for highly textured clay wall pieces or panels using clay, and other found objects on the surface. I am best recognized for scenes of our Colorado landscape represented on carved panels.
I am most proud of having my work in so many public spaces. I often meet people who see my work at art fairs, for example and recognize it from Lakewood Recreation Center or Sky Ridge Hospital or the large donor wall I have at the entrance of Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette. The GSMC donor wall, a ten-year project, has over 800 tile pieces that fit together in a grid and represents all who have donated to the medical center. I grin from ear to ear, knowing my work is recognized and admired. What sets me apart is my work is different than most artists. I combine clay and paint, and there are not many artists who use both mediums to create dimensional wall pieces.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
One of the proudest moments of my career is a toss-up between two things. First, I often demonstrate my work at fairs or outside galleries. Using clay to show my technique, I often get children who run up to me and ask to try it. They ask questions, they go right to work without hesitation and have no problem coming up with ideas on the spot. I had been demonstrating at one gallery for hours and one girl stepped up. She dove straight in, while her parents took a walk. She built, she carved and was there for as long as her parents could stand it. Finally, she picked up her creations, and told me she wanted to create and become an artist. Inspiring others to find what they love is amazing.
Another moment I will never forget was more recently, at the shelter. One woman worked for hours during the class and found me after when I was cleaning up. She told me she had never felt so good. It was the first time her mind was not on her problems. She said she felt free and happy. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Pricing:
- I offer artwork at a variety of prices from $25-$6000.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carolfennell.com
- Phone: 303-717-5133
- Email: carolfennellart@gmail.com
- Instagram: @carol_fennell_art
- Facebook: carol fennell art
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtSpeaksStudio
Image Credit:
Kathy Daly
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