Carol Forbes Croad B.A. St Matrins School Of Art London

I arrived from London in the winter of 1986 to take up a executive position in Sydney within the fashion and retail world. After hiring a car and travelling north to expand my horizons in this new country, I decided to base myself in S.E. Queensland. The sun was shining, the skies were blue and the landscape was breathtaking. I loved it from the very beginning

I had to make a living though and consequently having met and married my husband we set about building a property business. By 2006 I was fully retired and started painting full time without financial constraints. Since then I have had the freedom to paint what I want and when I want and how I want whilst travelling extensively both in Australia and overseas. My practise is based on the natural world and I am a contemporay realist. My sketch pad goes everywhere with me.  

I work in oils, waterclour and acrylic. The choice of medium expresses the subject. St Martin's was one of the top art schools in London and having amalgamated with the Central School it still is. The entry process was highly selective and the training over four years gruelling and acutely critical. We were taught by esteemed practsing artists who knew their stuff but didn't mince their words. Life was tough. However those words of wisdom still resonate when I critique my own work before putting it out there.

I am constantly challenging myself and exploring new subject avenues. And I hate all this tech stuff! I work in studio from life with the aid of my own photography or plein air. 

I have shown at the following awards this year:

D'Arcy Doyles Qld

Rotary Art Awards Brisbane Qld

Stanthorpe Biennial Art Award Qld

Downlands Toowoomba Qld

Lethbridge Gallery Smalls Award Brisbane