Carol Sommerfield

My desire to paint comes from my deep appreciation, love, and feeling for a moment in time.   I took a 34 year break from art as I pursued a successful career as a corporate executive. I returned to painting in 2010 and began to realize that my paintings are also about transitions in my life. I see potential, a story, deeper meaning, and the surprise of discovering beauty and potential that we often miss on first glance.   I want viewers to feel the joy of connecting with the subject. To experience the dance of light and color, the emotion of fading or growing day light, the solitude and joy of being alone with a subject, the liveliness in a still life. I hope that the viewer, like me, wonders about the stories behind the images, the transition that is imminent. My ultimate desire is to have the viewer simply stop a moment to see and feel through the use of composition and color; to wonder about the moment.   I like to work in themes. I enjoy slowing down to explore a particular topic. Recently I have spent time on three themes: Lake Muskoday, Swamps, and Abandoned Places. In the 70's I spent a great deal of time exploring still life in the "Grand Union Series".   What are my paintings about? They are a metaphor for our challenges, fears and strength. Joy, color, mystery, unanswered questions, humor, solitary moments, sensuality and boldness. They are about a moment in time and the imminent change in both the subject and ourselves.

Ramapo College, Mahwah, New Jersey: Bachelor of Arts, Fine Arts, with honors. University of New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut: Executive MBA; Thesis topic: Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, California Master of Art and Doctor of Philosophy, Human and Organizational Systems, 2006. Dissertation:  Where’s The Ticker Tape Parade? Subjective underemployment in repatriated employees. Master of Arts, Organizational Development.   Studied At: Art Students League; Katonah Art Center; Westchester Art Workshop.