In Studio with Carol Rowan
When Carol Rowan retired from teaching ten years ago she
traded her classroom for a studio and turned a hobby into a career.
“I taught for 30 years,” says Carol. “I delayed focusing
on painting in order to work and raise my family. Once I had the time,
I felt a sense of obligation to turn my attention to art.”
“Retirement” for this busy artist has
hardly been a tranquil affair. This year alone Carol has had three major
solo shows and her images have been among Wild Apple’s best sellers.
Carol paints in her home studio every day. She draws inspiration from
her beautiful cottage-style gardens, which she says provide her not
only with subject matter for her luminous pastels but also with a source
of relaxation and pleasure. Climbing roses surround her dining room
windows. Clematis weave their way up walls and annuals display a riot
of color throughout the growing season.
Carol’s large, bright studio
has arched windows overlooking these gardens. Works of art, her own
and those of friends, as well as photos of her three young grandchildren,
decorate the walls. Her two big easels may be home to charming florals
or dramatic landscapes, depending upon the day. Classical music fills
the air as Carol deftly blends pastels on paper. “I love pastels
- partly because they dry so quickly. While I was raising the children
and working full-time this was an important consideration and I have
appreciated this quality ever since.”
For Carol, retirement from teaching
provided the opportunity to pursue her passion and transition to a new
career. Judging from her enthusiasm and many successes, it is one that
thoroughly agrees with her!