Rising Stars: Meet Carmen Owens of Carthage

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmen Owens.

Hi carmen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
BIO- Born 1964 in Lincoln, Maine. Grew up in Meriden, Connecticut

Since childhood I have had a passion for art and a love for nature. In 1984 I attended the Paire College of Art in New Haven, CT. Two years later I moved to North Carolina to be with my fiancé. With a child on the way, I put my focus on family and filled any extra moments with creating decorative furniture pieces and custom work for a boutique shop, Rosemary Etc. of Pinehurst, NC. In 2003 I decided to combine my love of art and antiques and opened C.R. Drake Mercantile, a shop specializing in primitive antiques, reproduction furniture and my artwork. In 2008, I received the Special Operations Fund Scholarship due to the death of my late husband, Gary Gordon in the Battle of Mogadishu, making it possible for me to attend the Academy of Classical Design and study with D. Jeffrey Mims. I then closed my shop and devoted my time to my art education at the atelier as a student teacher for nearly three years before studying under the direction of Paul S. Brown. I shared a studio with Paul for nearly 4 years before his return to England. To further my education, I began to host workshops with Colleen Barry, Joseph McGurl, Kamille Corry, Joshua LaRock, Katie Whipple and Michael Klein to name a few.

I currently reside at Oak Hollow Farm and Studio’s. Here I find inspiration for my paintings by surrounding myself with antiques, flower gardens, farm animals and nature. I hope to translate the emotional and physical connection I have with my subjects, finding beauty in an overlooked wildflower, a fallen nest or a castaway umbrella. I work from life in my North light studio, the 1901 original homestead to the property that my husband and myself renovated.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a military wife and a stay at home mom did not make my art journey easy. These two very important things needed to take priority. Starting a career later in life is also another struggle. But when you have a strong desire to create, you find a way to feed that desire.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a painter. I work in a traditional manner and method. I work from life for most of my body of work. I am currently combining my love of flowers, bits of nature with my love of portraiture.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
When I left the atelier after three years, I booked a month long set of workshops at the Grand Central Academy of Art in NYC. I had never been to NYC before and my family had never had me leave them for any length of time. This was a big deal for me and my family. Packed with mace and a map I drove up to Queens. I had the most wonderful month long experience exploring all the museums, taking night life drawings sessions and learned so much at the workshops at Grand Central Academy. Made so many art friends that I still keep in touch with today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carmendrakefineart.com
• Instagram: carmendrakefineart
• Facebook: carmendrakeowens
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJjCpUDkrqI