A Hurricane of Talent, Carol Conti

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Whoever first made the statement, “Those who can’t, teach,” never met Carol Conti, the latest hurricane of talent to sweep into the area from Florida. 

Though calm and not blustery, she is taking our area with a storm of ideas and the willingness to make them happen.  Carol Conti will give the presentation at the Art League’s meeting on May 21 in The Bascom atrium.  The presentation will be at 5:00 P.M. following a wine social at 4:30 P.M.

Carol’s art speaks for itself.  I am here to interview this strong woman.  Waiting outside a class in full swing, my attention is drawn to her colorful Mandalas.  They are alive with animal and floral imagery in a complicated, circular pattern attesting to her ability to think creatively with her right and left brain. 

Conti is best known for her watercolors, freely admitting that it’s her favorite medium.  When viewing her work, texture and color grab your attention. 

I’m watching her teach a class in Franklin, moving from student to student,and resonating with excitement.  She’s fearless, encouraging her students to stretch themselves, to reach for their personal expression.  Growth of an artist, she believes, requires flexibility and “thinking outside the box,” and seeing mistakes as opportunities 

Quizzed as to her opinion on whether an artist should cultivate just one style and medium in order to sell well, she stresses that when exhibiting in a gallery, an artist should play to her primary strength. However, that alone should not shut down artistic exploration.  She should know.  She has explored and excelled in oils, pastels, assemblages, acrylics, and sculptures to list some, but probably not all.  Plein air painting is what she enjoys the most and the Appalachian landscape reminds her of where she grew up in Connecticut, raised in a creative family with an encouraging mother.  

Carol Conti holds both M.A.L.S. and B.S. degrees in Art Education and has been an art instructor for over 40 years.  Her work is in private and corporate collections throughout the United States, Canada, and England.  Over the course of her career, she’s exhibited her work in group and solo exhibitions throughout New England, Florida, and North Carolina.  She retired from public education to pursue her own interests both as an artist and instructor and moved here from central Florida.  This is one hurricane that will shower much good to the art world of Western North Carolina.

Her presentation will focus on creating texture on surfaces using unconventional techniques and technology to create a whole new splashy look to watercolor paintings.  Make your plans now to attend this informative and entertaining presentation.