Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Carroll
Hi Debbie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After a very circuitous route, working in travel, retail display and as a jewelry designer, I finally at the age of fifty, decided to seriously pursue a career as an artist.
It was a workshop with painter and ceramicist Stephen Kilborn that pushed me in the right direction; I have always been an artist, but never thought I could make any sort of living creating art. I had lacked confidence to pursue this dream, but my motto is “better late than never” and took these words to heart. I approached the workshop with Stephen with an open mind and working abstract in watercolor no less, found what was to become my artistic voice.
Taking the workshop and receiving such a positive response to my work really was encouraging, but even more so was that I was creating work that pleased me and I was having fun with it, instead of struggling. I had always thought that my work needed to be realistic, and it was a revelation to create what has become my stylized and signature style.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always struggles. I have been accepted into galleries whose doors have later closed, but it does seem that something even better comes along in these situations. I don’t always jury into the shows I’d like to be in, but rejection is part of the art business, and the sooner one accepts that the better. Telling me “no” is a sure fire way of making me double down and try that much harder!
Balancing family, supplemental work and kid’s sports was tough early on. Moving to West Texas has been instrumental in my success, I no longer needed to work other jobs and could devote 100% of my time to creating art. The more time spent at the easel, the better.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in contemporary landscapes depicting the Southwest and Western United States. My work is known for being colorful and graphic in style, people often tell me they recognize my work as mine right off the bat which pleases me very much, it is not always easy to find one’s artistic voice and I have been very lucky!
I am also lucky in that my husband of 16 Oaks Studio, has learned the fine craft of making handcarved, gilded frames which beautifully accent my work. When someone adds one of my pieces to their collection they are gaining not one, but two pieces of art!
What does success mean to you?
Everyone’s definition of success will be different. For me? I would say that getting to do what I love and having a supportive following is number one. I set goals when starting out and have obtained many of them, including sales, awards, a museum acquisition, work in a public setting, being part of presitigious shows and having the luxury of being included in artist residencies.
I am always striving to learn more and hone my abilities, but am proud of how far I have progressed in a relatively short time.
Pricing:
- Do not undervalue yourself or your work.
- Look to see what similar art is selling for on the marketplace and use that as a guide.
- Be sure to include and allow for the cost of framing, especially when selling on commission.
- Do not raise your prices too quickly or too drastically, test the market.
- Do not undersell your galleries, they are your partner!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.debbiecarrollfineart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbiecarroll/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbiedocktercarroll/
Image Credits
Rhianonon Griego
Catherine Massaro
