Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Green

Hi Caroline, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

Growing up in a family brimming with artists, I was immersed in a world where creativity thrived. Painters, woodworkers, poets, musicians, and authors surrounded me, making weekend trips to museums, galleries, and art stores a regular part of my childhood. Icons like Pollock and Monet ignited my passion for the arts, while grocery store trips often ended with a new coloring book in hand. Christmas and birthdays brought gifts of art supplies, from extra-large boxes of crayons and markers to spin art and airbrush machines. My mother, Janice, became my first art teacher, guiding me in using watercolors and acrylics. She showed me how to blow watercolor paints around with a straw and later introduced me to oils, encaustics, and pastels. I learned the art of mixing pigments with dammar crystals and beeswax to create encaustic medium and how to manipulate the wax. These experiences laid the foundation for my journey as an artist, nurtured by a family that lived and breathed creativity.
Despite growing up in an artistic environment, I was often reminded that a career in art wouldn’t be financially sustainable. This belief steered me into the medical field, where I found excitement and financial success but not fulfillment.
I once thrived in the dynamic world of surgery, where the thrill of the job and financial rewards were abundant. Despite the luxuries I could afford—a sports car, a motorcycle, and a carefree lifestyle—I was unfulfilled. Something was missing. I wasn’t doing what I was meant to. I wasn’t happy. Painting, however, brought solace and meaning into my life. My artwork, often reflecting my medical experiences with a twist, became my sanctuary. Eventually, I made the brave decision to leave my medical career and embrace my true calling as an artist. The transition was challenging and fraught with financial uncertainty, but I persevered. Today, I am a full-time artist, bringing joy through my paint and sip company, murals, teaching and more. Each day reaffirms that this creative journey is my destiny, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I was meant to be an artist.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Transitioning from surgery to becoming a full-time artist was a challenging journey. I participated in every pay-to-play event, submitting to countless art calls and learning hard lessons about what not to do. I faced exploitation and heartbreak but kept pushing forward, driven by my passion. Even when doubt crept in, returning to a steady medical income was never the answer. Getting into galleries seemed like the pinnacle of success, but it wasn’t enough. I realized the importance of diversifying my artistic ventures. So, I branched out into murals, chalk art, writing children’s books, teaching, and starting a YouTube channel. This multifaceted approach has defined my path as an artist.

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?

Diving headfirst into a variety of creative avenues, I launched my own business, Paint and Sip Portland, offering private paint parties, DIY home painting kits, and public pop-up paint nights. As a member of the Tualatin Valley Creates chalk art committee, I manage the artists for the annual chalk art festival while also crafting my own large-scale chalk masterpieces. My artistic ventures extend to painting murals for both residential and commercial spaces. I also create paintings for a boutique art hotel on the Oregon coast called the Starry Night Inn. I am continually expanding my portfolio and enriching my life as a full-time artist.
My artwork is characterized by the use of vibrant, saturated color palettes that amplify and exaggerate lighting effects. This approach results in vibrant landscapes and portraits that distinctly set my work apart. The complexity of my color glazing technique offers a fresh, intriguing take on traditional landscapes and portraits, creating a visual experience that’s both captivating and unique.
Creating largescale murals has been one of my most rewarding artistic endeavors. These expansive works, brimming with vibrant colors, not only capture attention but also evoke a sense of awe and fascination. Each mural stands as a bold statement of my artistic vision, transforming ordinary spaces into mesmerizing spectacles of color and creativity.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?

Watching the art industry evolve over the past decade has been fascinating. With the advent of new technology, artists now have innovative tools at their disposal and face new challenges. I’ve seen incredible works that blend traditional art with modern tech, creating pieces that invite viewers to interact and immerse themselves fully. This trend of interactive and immersive art is something I deeply appreciate and hope will continue to flourish. I believe we’ll see more of these experiences becoming available to buyers for their homes, transforming how art is experienced and enjoyed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carolinegreenart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinegreenart/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/carolinegreenart
• Other: https://www.paintandsipportland.com/