The Artist of Studio 1403

Carole Rosefelt shuffles between the gallery at 1212 Art Studio in Clearwater and her own space two doors down.

Rosefelt, a Dunedin Fine Art Center instructor, popped in to 1212 to discuss a fellow artist's latest work, but now it was time to teach.

Rosefelt circles the work tables in Studio 1403, her gallery and art school. The award-winning painter works with acrylics and watercolors. She has spent more than 40 years in the business.

"Actually, it's more like 60," Rosefelt said. "I'm 76."

She straightens a painting on the wall - crooked frames are a pet peeve - and then resumes preparation for her next class.

Her canvas paintings hang on two and a half of the gallery's walls. The second half of the wall is dedicated to her students' paintings.

Rosefelt's jewelry pieces and smaller artwork are professionally displayed on black-clothed, draped tables.

Rosefelt started painting when she was a young girl. Later she attended Layton Art School and Cardinal Stritch College (now University). Her work covers abstract and Impressionist styles, as well as figurative and non-objective forms on paper, canvas and Yupo. Her artwork grew into jewelry designs using materials including natural stone, beads, fiber and wire.

Her foray into the professional art world started with an interior design business, an area she finds must be downplayed in the creative art world. Art By Design, an interior design company owned by her and her husband, supplied paintings for hotels. They matched artwork to complement its owners, whether a corporate business or a young, urban family.

She and her husband, a photographer, had big plans: retire and start an art studio featuring both of their works.

Rosefelt said,"He died suddenly. I said, 'Now, what am I supposed to do?'"

Rosefelt continued her artistic self-expression, opened her own studio and reached out to other artists and to her community.

A Clearwater resident since 1979, Rosefelt is a member of several, local, art groups: the private, women artists' group, ; the ; the Tarpon Springs Art Association; and the Florida Water Color Association.

With construction at the , Rosefelt teaches the center's students at her studio. Her teaching style is a combination of encouragement, artistry, professionalism and business know-how.

"Anyone is welcome to take a class. I have students who have years of experience, and some have never held a brush before," Rosefelt said. "The fee covers the materials. You can drop $50 on only art supplies. It's good because I provide everything."

Rosefelt talks about both sides of art: the creative freedom of self-expression and the ability to sell the artwork.

Even art 'mistakes' can be transformed into something that works. She points out some messy art work done on Yupo.

"It's not easy to work with," Rosefelt said about the slippery paper.
 
Watercolors can be vibrant on Yupo, but it takes skill to turn dripping colors into something beyond an amalgam of paint. Some of those beginner Yupo art missteps were cut into smaller pieces and made into a three-dimensional flower pin, complete with painted petals.

Rosefelt encourages creativity and self-expression. There really aren't any mistakes that can't be transformed - either into another art piece or as part of the the learning process.

Her own paintings have evolved over the years.

"I've gone through the phases and freedom of self-expression. You know, it's phases depending on what's happening in your life. When I was younger, my work focused on children and mothers," Rosefelt said. "As I've gotten older, my work focused on women with wings... to show their freedom and independence."

To learn more about Carole Rosefelt's painting classes, call 727-796-5465. Her studio is located at 1403 Cleveland Street.