Nasturtiums
24 x 18 in.
oil on linen panel
Available thru artist at [email protected]
Since childhood Carmen has had a passion for art and a love for nature. In 1984 she attended the Paire College of Arts until she moved to North Carolina in 1986. With a child on the way, she put her focus on family and filled any extra moments with creating decorative pieces and custom work for a boutique shop, Rosemary Etc. of Pinehurst, NC.
In 2003 she decided to combine her love of art and antiques and opened C.R. Drake Mercantile, a shop specializing in primitive antiques, reproduction furniture and her artwork. In 2008, she received the Special Operations Fund Scholarship making it possible for her to attend the Academy of Classical Design and study with D. Jeffrey Mims. She continued her education at the atelier as a student teacher for nearly three years before studying under the direction of Paul S. Brown.
Carmen resides at Oak Hollow Farm which is sited above the waters of Wads Creek just south of Carthage, North Carolina. Here she finds inspiration for her paintings by surrounding herself with antiques, flower gardens, farm animals and nature. Carmen hopes to translate the emotional and physical connection she has with her subject, finding beauty in an overlooked wildflower or a castaway antique umbrella.
She works from life in her North light studio, the 1901 original homestead to the property that she and her fiancé renovated. Not only does the studio serve for creating her paintings, she also offers lessons and hosts nationally known artists such as Rob Liberace, Colleen Barry, Michael Klein, Amaya Gurpide and Katie Whipple for workshops.
Carmen has shown her work in Ann Long Fine Art, Charleston, SC; East Oaks Studios, Raleigh, NC; Arcadia Contemporary, Pasadena, CA; and Collins Galleries, Orleans, MA.
Recent awards include Best Floral in the 2019 PleinAir Salon and Still Life Finalist in the 2019 Portrait Society of America Members Only Competition.
To see Carmen’s work and to keep up with current events:
Facebook: Carmen Fine Art or Oak Hollow Studios
Instagram: carmendrakefineart
Website: www.carmendrakefineart.com
Collins Galleries, Orleans, Cape Cod, MA
