ARTIST STATEMENT

My inspiration for abstract art comes from the mystery and magic of nature—how shapes emerge from light dancing in the forest or how images form when cloud watching.

Painting for me, is an intuitive process, allowing what “I think” I want to paint (or how life ‘should’ go) to transform into a life of its own.

I am self-taught—delightfully experimenting while, as much as humanly possible, embracing the Eastern philosophy of “non-attachment to outcome.” *Bio below.

Original Art & Archival Prints

Many paintings are exhibited at Port Townsend Gallery 715 Water Street, Port Townsend, WA. 

Additional photos on request and in-person viewing by appointment.


suzy@suzycarroll.com

What is Cold Wax Medium?
Cold wax is made from beeswax with a small amount of organic solvent.
The wax is the consistency of crisco (see photo). When mixed with oil paint, the possibilities for texture, layers of color, and mark-making are endless.
My husband, Tom, builds my floater frames and cradle boards. Cradle boards sides are 1.5″ to 2″ deep. Edges are either painted or stained.

Available for Purchase

CREATION
30” x 30” x 1.5” | Wood Cradle | $1100.00 + S/H

Exhibiting at Port Townsend Gallery

This multi-layered painting, which came to life during the passing of a loved one, depicts the momentum of life (and death)—the constant ebb and flow from darkness to light. 

“Creation” reminds me that every day is an opportunity to live intentionally. Like the headlines says above “create a life you love to wake up too.”

Zoom in to see the detail, or better yet, view it in person.

Photo’s with side views and close ups available upon request. suzy@suzycarroll.com

 

KAWAIOLA (Living Waters/Water of Life – Hawaiian)
30” x 24” x 1.5” | Wood Cradle | $800 + S/H

Exhibiting at Port Townsend Gallery

A painting like this just can’t be planned. This began with two complete paintings underneath that just weren’t speaking to me. Friends saw them and liked them, but if something isn’t “me” I don’t feel good putting it out to the world.

With an upcoming trip to Wailea on my mind, I covered what was with white, and then began carving and buffing repeatedly until this image emerged.

What is the image?  My husband, saw an underwater abyss, a friend saw a water cat, I see inlets and water ripples. What do you see?

Photo’s with side views and close ups available upon request. suzy@suzycarroll.com

 

STILL WATERS
40″ x  12″ x 1.5″ | Canvas | $480

 

 

Photo’s with side views and close ups available upon request. suzy@suzycarroll.com

 

EAST MEETS SOUTHWEST 
20” x 16” Canvas, framed. | $400 + S/H

Exhibiting at Port Townsend Gallery

I used the same method to create this painting as I did with “Chasing Summer.”

I begin with a swift stroke with my pallet knife. It’s a fast process, with little time to over think. If I over-think it, which I have, this style of creating just doesn’t work.

I’m a free spirit at heart, so when I’m aligned with my inner flow, magic does happen… and doesn’t when I’m not.

Photo’s with side views and close ups available upon request. suzy@suzycarroll.com

 

PATCHES OF STILLNESS
24″ x 24″ x 2″ | $460.00 + S/H with a 2″ gallery-wrapped frameless edge.

Exhibiting at Port Townsend Gallery

‘Patches of Stillness’ – A visual reminder to stay out of overwhelm by creating stillness throughout your day.  I love the patterns, color and diagonal flow, with “patches” that represent islands to rest on.

I love the edges, they’re deep, finished in a dark brown and add to the richness of this painting. 

Enlarge the image on your screen to see the many “surprises” this painting has. 

 

SUN UP. SUN DOWN.
18″ x 24″ | Framed. $480.00 + SH
Cold Wax and Oil on Canvas Board

I’d love to say that this one came together with ease. It. Did. Not.

Sometimes it takes awhile to catch an old behavior pattern. In this case, I was sticky glue attached to making something work. Once I “let go” of my preconceived idea, the sun came out.

What you can’t see on screen are the underlayers of painting that showed up when I carved (literally) away layers of paint. The texture enhances this image, that came to be… by ‘being’ instead of pushing.

Photo’s with side views and close ups available upon request. suzy@suzycarroll.com

 

GOLDEN INTERSECTIONS
16” x 20” Canvas, Framed. | $400.00 + S/H

Intersections in life was on my mind while painting this one. Those crossroads we come to that require hard choices, hopefully born out of clarity. Often a crossroad means a period of darkness, or a releasing of what no longer serves you.

Once you’ve traversed the intersection, then the light begins to shine through. If you’re feeling the “dark,” rest, pause – as a good friend says, “there’s value in the void.” Hang out for a while, release resistance for the flow to return.

Photo’s with side views and close ups available upon request. suzy@suzycarroll.com

 

GREEN WITH ENVY
11” x 14”  $125.00

I tell you what, talk about being influenced by what’s swirling about (one must be mindful of outer influences – right?!). In this case, it was St. Patty’s Day. Green and Ireland were on my mind.

I’d love to tell you careful planning and forethought went into this painting – not so. Instead this was a joy full process of blending, playing with different size squeegees and adding highlights of gold. I do love gold!

Reproductions up to 40″ in size on archival paper or canvas (gallery wrapped if you choose).

 

BURSTING THROUGH
16” x 20” | Acrylic on Canvas. Framed | $400.00

When you’ve got an itch, it must be itched. My “itch” was a desire to play with acrylic paint and create something wildly abstract with energy.

Bursting Through reminds me of the energy of a thunder cloud building and then lightening bursting forth. There’s nothing quite as energizing as a wild thunder and lightning storm, oh so rare, in the pacific northwest.

Photo’s with side views and close ups available upon request. suzy@suzycarroll.com

 

LABYRINTH
36″ X 36″ x 1.5″ | $875.00 + SH | Wood Cradle

Oy Vey! It can take a while to clue in.
I struggled with the first layers which were warm reds and yellow and full of tiny bubbles (argh!) After a few inquiries I learned that the bubbles were small grains and I had a bad batch of wax (Gamblin is awesome – fully refunded).

I changed course, blended the red and yellow added, subtracted and then with close to a 1/4 inch of wax and oil this became a “carving” project.

The edge turned out beautiful with 3/8″ of wrapped gold highlight. The geometric pattern and color variation reminds me of “old world” scenes.

Labyrinth is best viewed in person. I’m happy to email additional photos.

This painting displays well in darker places as well as bright.

Made-to-Order Fine Art (Giclee) Prints

Reproductions, up to 40″ in size, are printed one at a time, on archival paper or canvas (gallery wrapped if you choose) with a protective acid free coating.
Additional photo’s and price available upon request. Approximate 3-week lead to time to shipping.

I use a local printer who carefully inspects each conservation quality, fine-art (Giclee) print for color and quality.

INTO THE MIST – SOLD | Prints Available
30″ X 24″ | $720.00 + SH | Canvas | Framed

Serene comes to mind.

I’ve always loved atmospheric style paintings. The horizon line has hints of gold (difficult to see on screen) and the marks give this painting unique visual interest.

A friend saw a boat in the foreground, sailing by in the mist.

I read that horizon scenes activate the area of our brain that’s engaged during meditation and creative activities.

 A peaceful day at sea! Zoom in for detail – see the birds?

 

 

CHASING SUMMER

20” x 16” | Canvas | Framed | SOLD

Playing is essential to beauty. This painting came to be because underneath was a painting full of play, including raised stencils, and bright colors. It was a practice painting that I had no intention of “being” anything but that.

Another artist, who formerly worked in cold wax, told me about the method of slapping on a big blob of wax, squeezing a blob of paint, and mixing it on the canvas (with my fingers – oh joy) and then scraping back with a pallet knife to create a path of pattern’s.

I love the movement and color and sunny disposition “Chasing Summer” has.

 

CENOTE – SOLD | Prints Available
24″ x 24″ x 2″ | $460
 with a  2″ gallery-wrapped frameless edge, finished in dark teal.

Exhibiting at Port Townsend Gallery

My husband is a scuba diver and once shared with enthusiasm a cenote dive he took on the Yucatan Peninsula. Before entering the caves the divers passed through fresh water to salt, creating a mixture that distorted their vision.

The feeling I had while he shared his experience was  mesmerized and soothed. Cenote hangs on the wall with an optional small starfish (not shown here) hung by a thin thread. 

Cenote is wired to hang as shown, but also looks great sideways and upside down too!

Sunrise at Point Hudson – SOLD | Prints Available
(Port Townsend, WA)

24″ x 18″  | $480.00 + SH
Canvas Board. Hand-built custom frame. 1.25″ deep.


Since 2009 a print has graced our walls with a similar look to this. I often wondered “how does someone paint like this.” Now I know the answer because I can paint “like this” too. #believeyoucan

I hadn’t intended to title this one “Sunrise at Point Hudson” but after three friends who live in my town said “oh, that’s Point Hudson,” the name stuck.

I love hearing what other people see when viewing abstract artwork. I’m curious, what do you see?

 

OUT FOR A SWIM – SOLD | Prints Available
12″ x 16″ x 1.5″ | $270.00 + SH | Canvas Board | Framed

So many layers, and so many times I said, “nope, not there yet.” This one took awhile to emerge.

Similar to life, we try things, pivot, adjust, experiment and then a vision comes into focus, but all the underlayers, “the history” brings interest to life, to the ever-evolving Self and in this case, to this painting.

Out for Swim is rich in texture and as master painter commented “exquisite detail.” A feather in my “emerging artist” painter cap for sure! 

The “room view” photo is shown with the frame hand built by my husband Tom and is painted a soft cream.

Zoom in for detail.

JUST PEACHY (and PINK) – SOLD | Prints Available
12” x 12” x 1/5” | Wood Cradle | $175.00 + S/H 

Pinks, peaches and some years red, seem to weave their way onto the artboard around Valentine’s Day. So yes, this painting began to emerge mid-February and was finished on February 14th. I love how the peach/pink tones play off the rust color.

Sweet, but not too sweet!

Photo’s with side views and close ups available upon request. suzy@suzycarroll.com

 

BAJA FROM ABOVE – SOLD | Prints Available

Original: 12″ x 16″
Reproductions up to 40″ in size on paper or canvas (gallery wrapped if you choose).

I’ve always enjoyed flying. While others are reading, sleeping, or watching a movie, I’m the one glued to the window loving the “birds-eye view” from above.

I knew I wanted soft and flowing and then the “aerial” view appeared. I love to work this way, layering color and waiting for what is to be, to emerge.

 

Safe Harbor $780.00 | NFS (Personal collection)
>Prints Available

24″ x 30″ on Wood Panel (1.5″ deep)

The photo on the right shows the original next to the print, which I mounted on a cradle board with acid free glue, painted the 1/5″ deep edges and finished with a coat of wax. The one in this photo has sold, but prints are available at the size of your choosing.

Reproductions up to 40″ in size on paper or canvas (gallery wrapped if you choose).

Peace. Calm. Ease.

“Safe Harbor” not only calms my soul, it looks amazing in our living room. I’m keeping this one, but oh-do-I have the most meticulous and talented photographer/printer to create something custom just for you!


Please email for pricing. suzy@suzycarroll.com

 

DREAM CATCHER 48″ X 30″ X 1.5″ – SOLD | Prints Available

Archival Gallery Wrapped Canvas print. 18″ x 25.75″
$375 + SH 
Prints range from $45 to $125

This painting flowed with uncanny ease. It was as if my hand was guided. I love the colors, the way the light dances and if you look close, there’s even an angel.

The “hot of the press” (left) photo is limited edition #1. Gallery wrapped with a hand painted 1.5 edge.

Dream Catcher will reproduce beautifully on both canvas and archival paper, and can be reproduced up to 40″ in size.

MOUNTAIN DREAMER 12″ x 12″ – SOLD
>Prints Available

The vision I held for this painting was more ethereal, but as I began applying color my tool left diagonal markings, reminiscent of mountains, so I followed this emerging image.

Life is so much easier when we choose to flow with what’s before us, as opposed to fighting our way to a predetermined goal.

Reproductions up to 40″ in size on paper or canvas (gallery wrapped if you choose).

 

 

RED EARTH RISING – SOLD | Prints Available
20″ x 15″ x 1″ 

I’ve admired a painting a friend has in her Tahoe home with a water feel to it. I live surrounded by trees and wanted to create with an earth/sky feel. I began with molding clay for texture, followed by a many layers of cold wax medium to create color and depth.

This painting grounds you to earth and invites you to soar like birds in the sky above. Richly colored and textured.

Reproductions up to 40″ in size on archival paper or canvas (gallery wrapped if you choose).

 

 

BIRD ON A WIRE
16” x 12” Canvas, framed. | NFS | Personal Collection
If you love this, made-to-order prints are available.

This was my first try at creating with the blob of wax and blob of paint method mentioned earlier.

I love how this turned out and it looks so good on our wall, that for now, we’re enjoying this in our home space.

Photo’s with side views and close ups available upon request. suzy@suzycarroll.com

 

KNOCKING ON HEAVENS DOOR
24” x 30” x 1.5” | Wood Cradle | NFS  – Personal Collection
>Prints Available

Many years ago, my late mum had a cardiac event. She flatlined several times and finally for two long minutes. Her skilled medical team breathed life back into her, but while she was in the in between space (NDA – Near Death Experience), my mother experienced something that has put many at ease when an end to earth life is near.

My mom told me she was enveloped in a beautiful fog and felt the most at peace she had ever been. My mother struggled with mental health issues, so that she felt ultimate peace is saying a lot.

A childhood friend shared my mom’s experience with her dad as he approached his end of life saying,  “if Mrs. Gallaway said this, you know it’s true.”

 

To inquire about purchasing, please email suzy@suzycarroll.com

SOLD ARTWORK
Prints not available.

REFLECTIONS 12″ x 15.75″

BREAKING FREE  24″ X 30″ 

FIELD OF GREEN 12″ x 18″

AURORA 9″ x 12″

NARNIA 17.5″ X 12″

ON GOLDEN POND  8″ X 17″ 

METAMORPHOSIS 1, 2, AND 3

DESERT BLOOM 24″ X 30″

“The Realm of Magic” 9″ x 12″ 

“Hudson Valley Fall” 18″ x 12″ 

“One Fine Day” 18″ x 18″

“When Spring Waves” 18″ x 18″

“Agave” 12″ x 12″

I began my art journey in mid-March 2023.
MARSHLAND AND MOROCCAN DREAM are two of my “firsts.” They hang on our walls and remind me, especially on days I feel I’ve lost any skill gained, to keep the art journey going.

MARSH LAND
16″ x 24″ | Currently NFS

Many layers came first, before applying the final touch. I thought I had ruined it and became frustrated. My intention is to bring good energy to all my paintings, so I stepped away.


The following morning, rested and renewed I moved forward scraping back layers and Marshland emerged!

MOROCCAN DREAM
16″ x 24″ | Currently NFS

I about tossed this out the window. The border was challenging – blending color that complimented while not smudging when working the center (I smudged often) provided all kinds of learning opportunities.

I added marble dust for texture in places. The end result makes us smile. For now, it’s gracing our walls and serves as a reminder to keep going and not give up!

ARTIST BIO

I was raised in Washington State by parents who were mountaineers and sailors. As an only child, my companion was nature. Decades later, the years spent mesmerized by water splashing off the hull of our sailboat, clouds changing shapes above, and gazing for hours on end at the horizon influence what now emerges in art form.

Integral to unfolding my creative process was the influence of my late mother, an artist who was a narcissist. As children of narcissistic parents often do, I became an over-pleaser and over-achiever with a deep fear of criticism. I buried my artistic side and followed the more culturally accepted path of business and leadership for decades.

In 2022, I added the ICF-certified Jungian Life Coach qualification to my coaching toolbelt. It was a process that required application of what I was learning and, as a result, my buried creativity burst forth.

Early 2023, I took a leap of faith, reprioritizing my coaching business and life to make time for daily painting. No longer inhibited by fear of criticism or driven by perfectionism (as much), I began reading, watching, talking, and learning everything I could about cold wax painting—a medium that shines—when relinquishing the need to control.

A short time later, having started virtually from scratch, I sold my first painting and fully stepped into the role of “artist.” I’ve never done anything that feels so right!

As an emerging artist, I have five guidelines I follow:
1. Create without attachment to the outcome.
2. Create from a space of joy.
3. Embrace Wabi-Sabi (imperfection).
4. Step away from painting the minute it begins to feel like “work.”
5. Go with the flow.

I am a reformed busyness addict, no longer pushing and planning my way through life. This ease is now the basis for my life  and my art.

suzy@suzycarroll.com

PARTICIPATION
WilderBee Farms/Mead Werks Exhibition: May 2024 – July 2024.
Port Townsend Gallery: 2004 – present.
NW School of Arts: Juried Art Show 2024
Cold Wax Academy: October 2024 – present.

I’m an ICF-certified Jungian Life Coach, Transition/Sabbatical Mentor, and former brick-and-mortar business owner with 30 years of managerial and business leadership experience.

My backgroundpersonal and professional—was propelled by People-Pleasing, Pushing, and Proving myself while striving for Perfection.

The four P’s that take so many women down the path of burnout, fatigue, and overwhelm.

I’m here to support you in calling in the best “P” of them all—PLEASURE!

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