Loretta Pruett, AOTM Co-Chair
Carol was born and raised in a small Northern Vermont town where cows clearly out-numbered people. She is from a family of three siblings who were 13, 15, and 16 years older than herself. As a child, she spent much time entertaining herself. Luckily, she had a vivid imagination, so she never ran short of occupations to pursue.
After high school graduation (including four rigorous years of Latin), she attended the University of Vermont located right on beautiful Lake Champlain. It was in her senior year that she fell in love with the arts. Music, architecture, and art history were her electives. If she had only known how enjoyable these studies were, she would have certainly chosen a different major.
Carol, today, wishes she had spent more time with her paternal grandmother who, at the age of 92, created a series of “Vermont Four Seasons” scenes in chalk. Various other white birch and maple sugar house scenes remain in the family to this day.
It was not until her forties that Carol took an active interest in art on a personal level. She met Scottsdale teacher, Lu Bellamak, and attended a workshop where students began and completed 24×30 oil on canvas pieces in a single day! This was an exhausting process which eventually worked itself into a Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning format. These workshops took on an international nature as Lu, Carol, and groups of 20 travelled to Mexico, Greece, the lake region of Italy, and France to experience the ambiance, lifestyle, and regional color abundantly available!
From the very beginning, Carol was attracted to bright colors and, to this day, she uses vivid combinations. She’s created an eclectic collection of pieces which range from exotic Pacific island birds to delicate Geisha ladies and many assorted themes in between. She has moved away from oils to acrylic, mainly for ease of transport.
Carol enthusiastically served a three-year term as PebbleCreek Art Club’s Vice President of Instructors. Her primary duty was to attract new instructors for the Creative Arts Center’s rapidly growing offering of classes.
Carol and her husband Peter reside in Goodyear and make bi-annual trips to Peter’s homeland, Australia, which never fails to inspire her visions for future art pieces.
Her work can be seen at MLR Accounting Services in Goodyear, and you are invited to view Carol’s artwork on display at the Creative Arts Center and at both the Tuscany Falls and Eagle’s Nest clubhouses.