Carol Steinberg shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Carol, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
It’s always changing but I try to include art making and exercise during the day…and watching something fun with my partner over a good meal in the evening. I had been doing my art in the afternoon and then doing exercise with a video in the late afternoon but my local yoga studio recently lured me back with a bargain unlimited, so now I often go exercise in the morning. And lately, I’ve started to incorporate a yoga nidra session in the afternoon–a kind of meditation/nap combo. Before this it was just a nap! I also listen to a lot of sales pitches, mostly about art classes and art marketing….and I’m becoming more and more immune to purchasing. If there’s time, I might read or do an AI chat.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have been an oil painter all my life. But only realized about 4 years ago that I needed to make something every single day without fail. I came up when people were really questioning the validity of painting–which was unfortunate. I used to incorporate personal issues I was struggling with into my work. But at this point, I just want to be the best painter I can be….a combination of expression–that comes somewhat naturally to me–and skill–which is the work part. I work from observation—and I think it’s all too easy to dismiss the importance of that skill in favor of throwing paint or whatever. I just listened to an artist who is selling her course say that blind contour self portraits revealed more than ones done from careful observation. I don’t agree with that at all.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was always someone who loved color. A box of crayons or an oil paint set with magical names of color. Magenta is majestic! My father gave me a little kit of oils when I was 8 and I was very serious about painting, even then.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My parents had a very bitter divorce when I was very young and my father and his family tried to indoctrinate me into hating my mother. I was also, in addition to growing up in a household without my mother, one of a few Jewish children in a completely Italian neighborhood. I felt lonely and different from a young age. But I did manage to make friends eventually. Still, I felt a lot of sadness that was covering a lot of anger. I have done a tremendous amount of psychological and spiritual work to overcome all that, and have mostly succeeded. There’s always another layer or level to work towards. Yoga and art are also healing.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Probably not. I learned at an early age to tamp down my enthusiasm and brightness…and it’s not that easy to shine regardless. I’m also overly self conscious and was also over-trained to value other people’s opinions of me.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
That talent without application will not lead far. And that perfectionism exacts a terrible price. Traditional art skills are a great treasure that we should teach in every school.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CarolSteinberg.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/carolsteinberg
- Twitter: @CarolSteinberg
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolSteinbergStudio
Image Credits
Photographer: Carol Steinberg
