Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Berger.
Carol, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Blessed with an artistic family, I have always loved to draw and paint. I even got in trouble in school for drawing in my notebook when I was supposed to be taking notes! High school experiences included layout on the yearbook, summer exchange student to Mexico City, and classes at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. I graduated with a double major in art and Spanish from the College of Wooster(Ohio). My Junior year I attended the University of Madrid focusing on art history with an emphasis on Goya. The year in Europe gave me the opportunity to study major works of art in France and Italy as well as Spain.
After a career as a full-time classroom teacher, I retired from education and relocated to Texas to be near our grandkids. I took a ceramics class the following year and thus began to fulfill a lifelong dream, a second career as… an artist. I continue to take, as well as teach, ceramic classes. I draw inspiration from everyday life and whether improving skills or exploring new techniques, I call my studio my happy place.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I make both functional and decorative ceramics. It is a pleasure to be able to hold and use beautiful art in my daily life, to gift a special friend or to have a complete stranger fall in love with a piece and buy it for themselves. It is an honor to have people see my work and ask me to do a commission or take my class. Clay has been my media for the past nine years.
Two years ago, I switched from using primarily stoneware clays to porcelain and am loving the challenge. I do both hand building and “throwing” on the wheel. I use low fire Raku, mid-range oxidation and high fire reduction depending on the work. The outdoors has always been a place for me to relax and re-energize…. gardening, walking a beach, or hiking in a National Park. Frequently, images, patterns, and colors from nature will find their way into my art. I am an environmentalist and avid recycler. I hope that having art that reflects nature will encourage other people to want to protect it too.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
In addition to taking classes from lots of excellent teachers, take a business class. It would have saved a lot of re-doing with setting up a website, studio, bookkeeping, etc.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I am a member of Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy, Houston. I always have work on display there and will be their featured artist in April, 2019. I belong to the Conroe Art League and have pieces on display in their Gallery at the Madeley, 127 Simonton St., Conroe. In addition, I belong to Clay Houston, have a website, and people can contact me by email, carol@mdberger.com, or www.artsbycarol.com for purchases and classes at my Montgomery Studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artsbycarol.com
- Email: carol@mdberger.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArtByCarol/
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