CAROLYN TEXERA
517-669-9655
CAROLYN.TEXERA@COMCAST.NET

ABOUT THE ARTIST & HER ART

I’ve always known how to draw.  Even when I was in kindergarten, I drew figures in correct proportion.  People told me that I drew well, but I didn’t think much of it.  I really believed that any one could draw if they put their mind to it or if they liked.  Being able to draw was very helpful in many subjects in school because many projects involved art, even science where drawing of specimens was frequently required.  I never seriously considered pursuing art as a career.  Instead, I studied biology in college, got a B.A. in Zoology, went to the University of California, Irvine medical school, graduated with an M.D., and did a 5 year residency in Pathology.  I practiced medicine in Lansing, MI as a Pathologist at both Sparrow and St. Lawrence Hospitals and as an Associate Professor of Pathology at Michigan State University Medical and Osteopathic Schools.  During this time I did not do any art.  My main artistic accomplishment was creating a color co-coordinated wardrobe.

After I had practiced medicine for several years it occurred to me that people in general should develop their natural talents (duh!)  So, I bought some art supplies and began drawing on my own at home.  Within weeks it was clear to me that I should pursue this seriously and also realized that art was a full time job.  So, I quit my job (yes, I really did) which I liked a lot, took some art classes, and have not looked back.  At this point in my life I can tell the difference between learning how to do something and just knowing, i.e. that being an artist is a gift.

Oil paint is my favorite medium and representational art is my style.  I paint portraits including commissioned portraits, figures, landscapes and still lifes.  I am inspired by peoples’ facial expressions.  My favorite subjects are Civil War reenactors and high school basketball players.  My paintings have been in many local, regional and even national juried art shows.  I belong to Oil Painters of America and the Portrait Society of America.  Last year the Portrait Society included me in an invitational show for Michigan members.  I love to paint and plan to continue as long as possible.