Caroline Verhagen in her workplace
Like many artists I started painting and drawing at a young age. I still have several of my
childhood drawings of tigers and flowers. Even though my choice of career didn't take
me to an art school (I went to medical school instead), I tried to improve my art skills
during my free hours. In the evenings I took several years of classes in drawing, creative
painting and figure drawing at an adult art school in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Among other things I made a series of portraits in pastel and one pastel portrait was
used for a book cover. The creative painting classes taught me to look at the subjects
and the use of colors in a very personal way.
The inspiration for the paintings comes from nature. Some are realistic, others more
abstract in appearance. I see beautiful colors everywhere. The dried out tree stump, the
lonely flower on a hillside. . . . . . Each subject has it's own special attraction. Wood,
trees and animals are
a favorite subject. Their intricate patterns reveal their character and are a source of
inspiration for my abstracts.
I love making portraits. Every face is unique with it's own special features and lines. I like
to match the personality of each individual through the colors I choose. Some look great
in oil colors, others come out wonderful in color pencil.
Lately I have also ventured into the fused glass world. It is a fun and surprising medium
to work in. The colors are beautiful and it is always a joy to open the kiln to see the fused
results. I now have a collection of jewelry for both men and women and my collection of
glass statues and plates is growing. I also like to make my own renditions of bugs, turtles
and butterflies.
In my career as an artist I have received several rewards, but the biggest reward is to
make someone happy with something I created.
Enjoy my work,
Caroline
childhood drawings of tigers and flowers. Even though my choice of career didn't take
me to an art school (I went to medical school instead), I tried to improve my art skills
during my free hours. In the evenings I took several years of classes in drawing, creative
painting and figure drawing at an adult art school in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Among other things I made a series of portraits in pastel and one pastel portrait was
used for a book cover. The creative painting classes taught me to look at the subjects
and the use of colors in a very personal way.
The inspiration for the paintings comes from nature. Some are realistic, others more
abstract in appearance. I see beautiful colors everywhere. The dried out tree stump, the
lonely flower on a hillside. . . . . . Each subject has it's own special attraction. Wood,
trees and animals are
a favorite subject. Their intricate patterns reveal their character and are a source of
inspiration for my abstracts.
I love making portraits. Every face is unique with it's own special features and lines. I like
to match the personality of each individual through the colors I choose. Some look great
in oil colors, others come out wonderful in color pencil.
Lately I have also ventured into the fused glass world. It is a fun and surprising medium
to work in. The colors are beautiful and it is always a joy to open the kiln to see the fused
results. I now have a collection of jewelry for both men and women and my collection of
glass statues and plates is growing. I also like to make my own renditions of bugs, turtles
and butterflies.
In my career as an artist I have received several rewards, but the biggest reward is to
make someone happy with something I created.
Enjoy my work,
Caroline
Juried art shows and awards:
July 2008 Orange County Fair, Ca -------- First prize in Drawing/Illustration, Mixed media, professional class
May 2008 1 Oil painting and 2 drawings accepted at the annual Saddleback Art League Juried Art Show
July 2007 Art glass sculpture accepted in professional class at the Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, Ca.
April 2007 Oil painting, Beach Girl, and hanging art glass sculpture accepted in annual Saddleback Art League Juried Art Show.
June 2005-August 2006 exhibited in the Window Gallery Fine Art in San Juan Capistrano, Ca.
July 2006 1 mixed media painting accepted in professional class at the Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, Ca.
October 2005 : 2 watercolor paintings accepted in annual Saddleback Art League Juried Art Show.
July 2005 Orange County Fair, Ca ----- 2 watercolor paintings accepted in professional class.
Oct. 2004 : Honorable Mention, Harvest of Color Annual Show Saddleback Art League, Ca.
July 2004 Orange County Fair, Ca --------1 Oil painting and 1 watercolor painting accepted in professional class.
July 2003 Orange County Fair, Ca --------First prize in Drawing/Illustration, and 2 oil paintings accepted in professional class
December '02 - January '03 --------Honorable Mention, All Media Show 2002, Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, Ca
July 2002 Orange County Fair, Ca. ---- 2 oil paintings accepted in professional class.
July 2008 Orange County Fair, Ca -------- First prize in Drawing/Illustration, Mixed media, professional class
May 2008 1 Oil painting and 2 drawings accepted at the annual Saddleback Art League Juried Art Show
July 2007 Art glass sculpture accepted in professional class at the Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, Ca.
April 2007 Oil painting, Beach Girl, and hanging art glass sculpture accepted in annual Saddleback Art League Juried Art Show.
June 2005-August 2006 exhibited in the Window Gallery Fine Art in San Juan Capistrano, Ca.
July 2006 1 mixed media painting accepted in professional class at the Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, Ca.
October 2005 : 2 watercolor paintings accepted in annual Saddleback Art League Juried Art Show.
July 2005 Orange County Fair, Ca ----- 2 watercolor paintings accepted in professional class.
Oct. 2004 : Honorable Mention, Harvest of Color Annual Show Saddleback Art League, Ca.
July 2004 Orange County Fair, Ca --------1 Oil painting and 1 watercolor painting accepted in professional class.
July 2003 Orange County Fair, Ca --------First prize in Drawing/Illustration, and 2 oil paintings accepted in professional class
December '02 - January '03 --------Honorable Mention, All Media Show 2002, Irvine Fine Arts Center, Irvine, Ca
July 2002 Orange County Fair, Ca. ---- 2 oil paintings accepted in professional class.
First place
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
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Caroline 4 art
First place