Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carley Rangen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Carley, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I grew up in the era.. you can’t make a living as an artist. I do wish I would have taken lessons, possibly gone to school and see where the road would have led. But, I am also grateful for the unexpected ways art has found me over the years.
The benefit of using your right brain is not only bettering your art skills, it relaxes your brain.
I took some watercolour courses when my first child was born. I loved them. The discovering and possibilities. I didn’t keep them up as I was a bit overwhelmed as a new mother. I swore I would get back to it later in life. Three kids later, I started to play in the art world again. Taking different lessons, trying different styles I wanted to learn more about painting. I absolutely love when someone sees a piece I have developed and they fall in love. Www.carleyrangenart.com

Carley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I worked in the school district as a CEA for many years, when a friend asked me to join her interior design company. After two years, the owner moved to Calgary so I changed the name and took it over. Owning and operating Olive Tree Interior Designs for 15yrs in the Okanagan. In 2017, I decided to develop my art skills further. I would watch videos on art pours and other techniques. Discovering larger abstracts on canvas, my clients started to ask me to paint artwork for them. That is when my art career started. In 2021 I closed down my interior design business and took an online art school course for a year. Learning more techniques from sketching, charcoal, acrylics and oils. I have landed on abstract landscapes in mixed media. Lots of layers creating a curiosity for the viewer to see what they can find. I still offer design consulting and continue to sell artwork for those who love my style. When I am working as a design consultant I look at the space as an artist.
What are the potentials? What fits the best? How can we do things differently? Having an art background, I believe sets my design suggestions apart from others. I’m grateful for the combination.
Clients who are looking for an artwork piece sometimes will feel overwhelmed or uncertain how to choose. I encourage people to select what “sings” to them, art should create emotions within you, not what best fits the space according to colour. I believe if you are in love with a piece, as long as it is framed or finished in the appropriate size it is meant for you. Growing up with the mindset an artist will never make it in the real world, I have to remind myself not everyone sees what I see. We all have different talents, recognizing your own and leaning into them is key, learning not to take them for granted. Many of my clients have expressed they just can’t see a space or what works together, I can. I’m grateful to see the beauty and potential. When I am working on an art piece, it allows your analytical brain to move over and let “the trust” and artistic side come out. I think a lot of creatives struggle with this at times, preventing us from diving in…

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I believe in our busy world of science, money, prestige, power and drive, being a creative brings us back to who we are meant to be. Discovering the beauty within yourself, others and the world around you. We are very distracted and anxious in today’s standards. To be able to drift into your art for a time letting it flow, allows freedom.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I closed down my interior design business, sold my townhouse and mostly everything in it. Moved to Mexico for a time. I wanted to try to do life differently. Getting up, going to work, coming home, watching tv, going to bed and then doing it all over again, seemed like I was missing something. I came back from Mexico, retired myself for 3yrs, developed my art and enjoyed the Okanagan lifestyle. I am back to work now selling countertops for RevitaStone, design consulting and selling artwork. It took a lot of trust and following the unknown of what was next. I’m glad I took the leap, I may try it again..;)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carleyrangenart.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/carley rangen/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carley-rangen-21900b23/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarleyRangen

Image Credits

Myself