Grace Carroll
Grace Carroll
Compassion
“Thank you Dedham Art Association for this honor!
I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I have lived a very full life. I married an American, and his job lead us to move around, which bolstered my life long fascination with local languages and art.
Eventually we moved to Puerto Rico where l raised my children and lived as a single mother. I worked for a large pharmaceutical company in the field of Health & Wellness traveling across the entire island. After 30 years in Puerto Rico l moved to Boston where l got married and started a new life. In spite of the dramatic change in temperatures and leaving behind the beautiful Caribbean, l loved Boston from the start.
I never imagined that attending a “Paint and Drink” activity would start me on the exciting path of oil painting. At that time, I was taking classes in Boston on Creative Writing, and was passionately immersed into writing stories. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering many buried details of my childhood, and had already visualized how I would compile my memoir and self-publish. But, after months of attending both painting and writing classes, my love for painting started to intensify. I realized I could still access many feelings within myself and express them while I was painting. I could not only feel immense joy, but lose myself within the process and be in touch with my senses. I was torn between two Loves!
Oils are my medium. I love the vibrant colors, the cool hues, the fusion of tones. I love painting sunsets, seascapes, clouds, and portraits but most of all l search for compositions that have meaning, that tell a story; like my “Compassion Series” – different scenes of kindness towards dogs, or animals as loyal companions.
Now all I want to do is paint. Painting makes me feel alive. l view the world differently. The forest behind our home has turned into dark values, light, shadows, contours and shapes. Watching how a small stroke can suddenly change a flat surface into a three-dimensional form gives me pure joy. Though at times it overwhelms me too - I want to perfect every single detail, but sometimes end up with a painting considered “too tight”. Go figure.
I am eternally thankful for my teacher Rosemarie Morelli, who initiated me into this exciting craft. At times my new journey has been quite challenging, and doubts weaken my confidence but l am determined to move forward with discipline and hard work. I am constantly learning about the technical skills of the old Masters, watching tutorials from new masters and practicing all kinds of styles.
My Mom told me l was born without patience, but she would be proud of me today if she saw how much patience l exert while painting, especially when my teacher says, “hold back”, “don’t work the details yet”. You all know as artists how much patience that takes.
I look forward to a continuation of learning and finding my own style.”