We recently connected with Carol McDonald and have shared our conversation below.

Carol, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was a left-brained, analytical administrator for most of my career and identified primarily with WORK. If I wasn’t at work, I was thinking about work.
When I was younger, I had some very creative friends and loved hearing about what they were doing. I would attend art fairs and admire all the talent and creative energy that I felt being around artists. When I met my husband 23 years ago, one of the things that attracted me to him was his creative ability—he did woodworking and black and white photography. We started attending art galleries and shows whenever we traveled, and he would come home all inspired and energized! I, too, was totally taken in with the beauty and talent of the many artists we saw, but never dreamed I might be one of them some day. I was an appreciator and collector of beautiful art, NOT the creative one.

When I began thinking about retirement, my wise husband said, “Carol, you really need a HOBBY, or you’re going to have a very difficult time when you retire!” He has always been someone who encouraged me to explore my creativity. I’ve taken classes at the local recreation center and played with crafty projects with friends, but I didn’t think I was particularly good at any of it. It was just for fun.

In Scottsdale, there’s an annual art event called “Celebration of Fine Art” that goes on for three months. It’s a collection of all types of professional artists, under big white tents, where you can see finished work or work in progress, and interact with each artist. I am always drawn to the abstract artists—it would be like a magnet to me. One of the artists, Bruce Marion, did some beautiful work that I loved, and offered some videos and classes of instruction.
For Christmas that year, my husband surprised me with an easel, canvas and supplies, along with the link to one of Bruce’s online classes, and said “Now, go PLAY!”

And I did. And I haven’t stopped! I have been painting now for almost four years, and I’m totally amazed at the response I’ve received. What started as a “hobby,” has morphed into a new career…as a professional artist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I have been an admirer and collector of abstract art for years, but it’s only been about four years since I began my own painting journey.

The thing I love about abstract art is that it has no agenda, it’s totally subjective and open for interpretation. What pulls me into a painting is the color and flow and the multitude of textures artists use to create different effects. I approach my art like I approach my life….I observe, I assess, I respond and I take action. I paint what makes ME feel good and what I enjoy looking at. When I began painting, I had no idea others would respond to my art the way they have, so my post-retirement career came as much as a surprise to me as anyone!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This question made me laugh out loud! What did I have to unlearn? CONTROL! My guess is that most people around me would say I’m a bit of a control freak (and, come on…aren’t most of us?!). But what I have found is when I’m painting, I’m at my BEST when I let go of that need to control what happens next and just let things unfold as they need to. Some call that following your intuition, and maybe that’s true. I just know that, for myself, the more specific I’m trying to be with a piece, the more it falls apart. I recall a phrase from artist Marianne Mitchell, “letting go with reckless abandon!” I’ve really embraced that. When a piece isn’t coming together the way I think it “should,” that’s my thwack in the head that I’m trying too hard, and not allowing the piece to evolve. I get too attached to aspects of it and don’t want to lose them, and I’m afraid I’ll somehow ruin it if I continue.

What do I do? Let go with reckless abandon! I’ll just start randomly painting, with the idea of starting over, and all of a sudden, things begin to take shape in ways I never imagined. Some of my best pieces have been created as a result when I’m not trying to control the outcome.

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

I absolutely love this new part of my life! Being in that creative mindset is calming and inspiring at the same time. I listen to New Age type of music when I paint, and that gets me out of my left brain chatter and into my right brain spaciousness where I become open and receptive.

The past couple of years have taken an emotional toll on me. Part of me wants to stay connected with what’s going on in the world, and yet, I was becoming increasingly anxious and depressed as a result. When I paint, I’m in my happy place, in the moment, dealing with what’s in front of me. I let go of worry and fear and that sense of hopelessness that can invade my mental space when watching the evening news! Painting has allowed me to live a far more balanced existence. Instead of doom scrolling the NYT, I can relax with my music and paint and create something beautiful. We all need to have balance in our lives, and painting is how I’ve found mine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carolmcdonaldfineart.com
• Other: Chandler, AZ