Daily Inspiration: Meet Carolina Russo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolina Russo.

Hi Carolina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am very grateful to be here sharing my story. Thank you for inviting me! I was born and raised in Naples, Italy, the beautiful country where I have been surrounded by amazing art, creativity, history, Mediterranean traditions and international influences. I moved to California in 2002 and one year later I became a mom of a wonderful daughter. I have been working successfully for several years as a Fashion Expert for some great American brands. But all of a sudden my heart called me back to my roots. My “Art” was calling and the feeling of wanting to create again was awakening. During the years here in the US I had gone through life events that prevented me from being a creative artist the way I wanted to be. I had to focus on my daughter first and on other important things. I missed drawing, painting and sketching, I felt like a part of me was locked in a box losing years of precious creativity. Since a young age, I had in mind that I wanted to leave a trace of my creativity in this world. Then one day I felt that the time to visit an art store had arrived. I bought all the supplies needed to start watercolor painting again. Ten years without touching a brush and it all came back naturally. I have never stopped painting since then. My Art is now my life and my work.

I was a very creative child. I loved drawing and creating things with my hands. By the time I was a teenager, I knew this was my calling, creating art was what I wanted to do. My father is an Artist. I learned a lot just by observing him working on his beautiful oil paintings and all his abilities to create. I am very thankful that my parents supported my talent. In Italy, I studied Art & Jewelry Design. I am passionate about watercolor painting, illustration, digital art, photography, fashion and jewelry design. When I am not busy painting I like to write poems, Haiku and short stories, some of them have been published. A dream I have is to create an illustrated book including my paintings and creative writings. I love to write Poems “when they come to me like whispers in my mind”. Nature is my primary source of inspiration. I like to paint landscapes and seascapes. I have been following my heart and path, believing in myself and that anything is possible if you truly believe in it.

During the past 25 years, I evolved in my passions, experiencing my artistic visions and taught myself other skills and art forms such as Eco Art Printing, Digital Art and more. My favorite and primary medium is Watercolor painting. Watercolor came into my life very naturally. I never took any watercolor class, I just started painting with passion, I continually experiment with the medium and love it.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It is never a smooth road, every artist has their own struggles finding their style and niche especially if your art is also your business. I work very hard on each of my paintings, I love when they are well received. I don’t let negativity influence me. I try to stay positive and confident in myself and my creativity. I won’t let criticism affect me too much. I am aware that what I create doesn’t have to be liked by everyone, we are all different in our own unique ways. I think in art there is no “Perfection”. We all are searching for it but “Art” for me is “Expression”. We all can be perfect in our own expression of creativity. I am following my own path from years and I will keep going, following my seeds and seeing them growing.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a watercolor artist. My primary medium of choice is watercolor, I paint on paper. I am an intuitive painter. I love the fluidity, transparency and elegance of watercolor. I love to let the paint blend into the water and flow naturally into form and shapes. Very often I don’t plan my paintings and just let the white paper be like an open door to the unknown where I am free to create my magic world with my energy. Lately, my world is made of beautiful landscapes inspired by imaginary places or by places I love in my area. I recently released a new Collection of Landscapes and Seascapes paintings titled “Fields and Waters” inspired by the beauty of nature, land and ocean. This is a Collection of intuitive and meditative art that soothes the soul of the viewer through a delicate color palette. Each painting is emitting feelings of peace and harmony.

In this series, I am focusing on using two very important and powerful natural elements, Water and Earth. I painted each painting with appreciation, gratitude and thankfulness honoring the beautiful nature that surrounds us. Each artwork I create is special and it is a piece of my own story and background. There is my heart and soul in every painting or other creations I made. My creative work extends to several media, Eco Printing, Jewelry Design, illustration. I like to not limit myself and I love to experiment and explore new pathways in my art. I am also known for my recognizable ink and watercolor drawings of ethereal creatures and face portraits in my own Illustration style. Through my website, online shops and social media my art reached many countries and I had the opportunity to collaborate internationally with other wonderful creatives which gave me the chance to create a painting that became a music album cover for a Scottish musician, I have created illustrations for a published Novel written by a UK Author. These are only some of the great experiences I had during my artistic journeys. I am proud of everything I have accomplished so far and I am open to see what the future will bring.

What sets me apart from others? Well my aim is “What makes me happy, is to give happiness and inspire people through my Art, give feelings to the heart and deep to the soul!”

It’s how my art is perceived and makes people feel and resonate with it! I sell my paintings online Originals and Limited Edition Prints. I enjoy “Hand Enhance” my prints to give a final original touch that turns a limited edition print into one of a kind. I think that last special touch from me is also something that sets me apart from others. I love to personally take care of all the details. My artworks are lovingly and carefully wrapped, packaged by me, signed front and back, I love to write a personal note and it would be shipped to you with the utmost care.

How do you think about happiness?
I am very happy when I receive wonderful and heartfelt feedback from the people that own my paintings or prints. When they let me know how they feel looking at my art every day. My goal as an artist is met when I reach their heart and emotions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carolinarussoart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinarussoart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolinaRussoArt
• Other: https://carolina-russo.square.site 

Image Credits
Image Credits: Carolina Russo