Gallery
Artist's Bio

Gallery -- Artist’s Statement

I grew up in El Paso, Texas -- a beautiful city in the Southwestern desert. El Paso lies cradled by the majestic Franklin Mountains, and nestled between the borders of Mexico and New Mexico. Two colorful, unique and vibrant cultures thrive there and they had a profound impact on my young spirit, and how I would perceive and navigate the world.

In 2001 my husband accepted a teaching position at the University of Pennsylvania. We packed up our bags and moved from Austin to Philadelphia. It was a new and exciting adventure for both of us. It was a natural career move for Ed, and it provided me with an opportunity to try something new. I had worked as a university administrator for sixteen years. They were a great sixteen years, but I felt that it was time to put my business clothes away and try something that I had always dreamed of doing. I wanted to paint, draw and create.

We bought a wonderful, historic house in the heart of Philadelphia. Our home, while beautiful, had walls that were white or beige. Well, this Southwest Texas gal needed some color on those walls! And so began my creative path. I decided that I would paint our house. It took me three years to get it just right, and it turned out to be the most enjoyable and gratifying process that I have ever gone through. This painting and creating, I came to realize, was just what I needed and wanted to do. It was my “calling”.

Once my “nesting” project had been completed, I wanted to do more! So I began dabbling and experimenting with different mediums – acrylic, gouache, colored pencil and mixed media. Thankfully, on much smaller canvases! I continue to paint and draw and I love every minute of it. It has truly become my passion.

I would describe my style as a whimsical, colorful and spiritual representation of a world where beauty need not be defined by complexity, but by the simple gifts that surround us everyday – a breathtaking sunset, a beautiful bird, or a desert mountain. The art world might describe it as “primitive” or “naïve” folk art because of the childlike simplicity and quality about it. However way it is defined, my work reveals the memories I have of growing up in the Southwest, and it provides me with an opportunity to bring those memories to life - colorful landscapes and icons that have held a warm and comforting place in my soul for as long as I can remember.

Carolyn Rathbun George
CRG Studios
Philadelphia, PA
crathgeorge@gmail.com
215.901.8607 mobile