We were wondering what inspired the Animal T-Shirts, Flower T-Shirts, and Butterfly T-Shirts of Carol Cavalaris, so we sat down with her to talk about the woman behind the wildlife.

Carol Cavalaris’ life is a synonym for art. With the exception of those pesky years before motor skills, not a minute has gone by where she hasn’t been making art in one way or another. As you’ll read below she started creating as a young child and never stopped. She’s tried her hand at everything from traditional oil painting to stained glass, and currently uses a bunch of different mediums, including digital, to create her amazing artwork. Art has been a constant companion that’s rejoiced with her in the good times and held her hand through the bad, like the loss of her husband.

Have you ever wonder how someone could even think of creating something like Wolf Heart or Healing Rose? We did too, which is why we talked with Carol about her inspiration. Read the Q and A below.

How did you first get into painting? What was your first artistic experience?

My first artistic experience was at the ripe old age of 6. I adored playing with my paper dolls, but instead of using the already made dolls and outfits, I created my own. Crayons and colored pencils were my medium back then, and I wish I still had those one-of-a-kind designer creations that I thought were so magnificent. Glad I still have the memories.

You live in the high country of Colorado, and you’ve said before that your inspiration comes from the nature that surrounds you. Where is your favorite place to go for inspiration?

There are many inspiring places in the Colorado mountains, but I would have to say the most inspiring place is my home. I live in the middle of a forest, surrounded by massive pine trees and aspens on an acre of land. In the spring, summer, and autumn, I can just be outside, laying in a hammock, or gently rocking in a swing, or sitting in a chair on my deck watching nature happen all around me.

There is so much life everywhere, with newborn birds, squirrels, bunnies, and deer, that it is impossible not to be inspired by the stages of life and changes of the seasons. On my solarium I have huge windows where I can sit inside and watch vibrant sunrises and sunsets, and see winter turn everything white. Giant icicles hang from eves, and bucks, with their antlers coated with frost, dive their heads into the snow to feed on vegetation beneath. Everything is so momentary that it is somehow more precious, and inspires me to preserve the memory and experience and beauty through my art.

From Interior design, to stained glass, to traditional painting, and digital, you’ve done a little of everything. Do you have a favorite medium to work with? And if so, what is it and why?

I have enjoyed creating in many different mediums. One of my favorites was oil painting, however, when my husband suddenly passed, I couldn’t go back to an easel. I had to re-invent my art. I turned to digital painting about 10 years ago. I began to paint in Photoshop, focusing on beauty and nature, and found it very healing. And I found digital to be a very intimate medium, because I created on a laptop and could enlarge the image and get very close to the work. I would lose myself inside a flower, or an animal’s eyes and fur, in the colors and textures, and really feel and try to capture the spirit of whatever I was painting. And because it was digital, I could also experiment more, make mistakes and changes, and explore all the possibilities.

Have you ever sat down to do something creative and found that the juices just aren’t flowing today? If so, how do you work through artist’s block?

The creative juices don’t always flow like I want them to, but my desire to create is constant. I have more ideas than I could ever paint, so I’ve never had artist’s block. If I can’t move forward with one idea, I work on another. I usually have a concept when I begin a project, however, making that vision a reality is often a challenge. With most artwork, I become lost at some point and lose my direction or vision, and feel I am working in the dark. I’ve learned that if I just keep going, keep experimenting and trying to find the meaning or expression in the work, that it will eventually appear. The art tells me where it wants to go, which can be daunting but also exciting. Creating for me is an act of faith, and believing in the process of discovery.

What other artists inspire you? Who did you look up to when you were first starting out?

I started drawing when I was very young, so I loved illustrations. The first artist who inspired me was my aunt, Athena. She created these beautiful color drawings of asian women and flowers that were framed and hanging on walls in our home. I remember staring at those exotic drawings, wishing I could create something so beautiful. She was an artist for all of her 97 years, and I have many of her drawings and paintings in my home that continue to inspire me. I’m inspired by many artists in all mediums, and especially love the work of Josephine Wall. She has such a vivid imagination and her art takes me to magical places. One of my earlier influences was Aldo Luongo, who creates passionate and romantic paintings of couples and characters. Years ago I was a display artist for a large mall in Los Angeles, and he had one of his first major art exhibits. I saw his painting of a couple embracing from about 50 feet away displayed in a gallery window and was just knocked out by it. I had the opportunity to meet him for the opening and I think what inspired me the most was the passion I felt in him about his art. No matter the subject, I knew I wanted to put that kind of passion in my work, too.

 

You’re body of work is massive, so I know it’s probably impossible to pick a favorite, but is there any piece that you are particularly fond of? What was the inspiration behind it, and why does it hold a soft spot in your heart?

I do have a large portfolio with over a thousand pieces. There are so many feelings and memories connected to each work that it is very hard to pick a favorite. There are some that hold special meaning to me. I have been creating an artwork each year since my husband’s passing, as a tribute to him and the love we shared for so many years. Creating the art on my journey of grieving has truly been very healing. So there is an element of healing in most of my art. One particular work, called ‘Healing Rose’, of a single rose in all the rainbow colors of the Chakras, with golden rays and surrounded by butterflies, is special to me. This artwork reflects all the colors of healing, and shows there is much to be grateful for, even in the beauty of a single rose.

What do you like to do when you’re not making art?

I enjoy digital photography and go on shoots when I can. I also love movies, and listening to music, which I usually do while I’m creating art. My other greatest passion besides art is writing. I’ve written prose or a short story to go with every piece of art I’ve created. Some prose is inspired by the art, and some art is inspired by a story. I also love fiction writing and have completed two novels. I’m currently creating some art of characters, scenes, and events inspired by my novels and will eventually publish them as a rich media experience.

I’m blown away that you also have written pieces to go along with every piece of artwork that you’ve done. Wolf Heart is a hugely popular design would you share with us the prose that goes along with that design?

Wolf Heart, Prose by Carol Cavalaris

Never underestimate the 
Tenderness 
Affection 
Loyalty 
Love 
Beating within the 
Heart Of A Wolf 

What is your spirit animal, and why?

I’ve been attracted to and fascinated with all big cats since childhood, however, my spirit animal is the white lion. I’ve created a large collection of white lion art as they truly inspire me more than any other animal. I find such incredible beauty, courage, and purity in this endangered species, and feel a deep spiritual connection to them, as they give me strength and are very healing. I’ve done art for people who operate a sanctuary in Africa and it is my dream to one day meet and walk among the magnificent white lions in person.

Are you working on anything currently that you can tell us about? What’s next for you?

My latest art adventure has been playing with alcohol inks on yupo paper. They are similar to watercolor, but more vibrant and have this amazing organic quality and texture. So I’ve been combining alcohol ink art with digital, creating some very wild mixed medium works. I’m doing an abstract series called Bloomies, with flowers, and butterflies, and hearts blooming on long stems, that combines alcohol ink with digital painting. I’m also working on a rainbow animal series, and have done a collection of dachshunds with soulful eyes, and will be doing other breeds and animals as well. I have hundreds of works in various stages of development, from flowers to spirit animals, and everything else imaginable. I’m so grateful to be able to express myself through art. All I need now is a few more lifetimes.

From Left to Right:  Sunflowers and Butterflies T-Shirt, Iris In The Moonlight T-Shirt, Healing Rose T-Shirt

To see Carol Cavalaris’ full collection of wildlife t-shirts check out her collection.