Carolyn Fehsenfeld’s paintings reveal the unexpected beauty of everyday moments through a traditional approach and expressive style. Her confident brushwork captures the personality of a diverse subject matter, effortlessly conveying the atmosphere of a soft-lit kitchen, the history of a worn chair, and the moodiness of a rainy day.

Fehsenfeld is drawn to the unlimited possibilities of oil and its rich, sensual nature. She welcomes the experimental attitude of the monotype. With excellent brush control and an astute sense of composition, she tackles the figure, landscape, and still life with equal enthusiasm. Working quickly, her paintings communicate an immediacy and excitement for life. Her work is distinguished by a balance between the formal aspects of art and the expressive qualities of paint. Aptly, she described her work as: “a lullaby with a bit of a beat.”

EDUCATION

Painting and Monotype Studies
Ox-Bow, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Saugatuck, MI

MFA – Painting 1990
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

BFA l984
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Diploma 1970
Kendall School of Design
Grand Rapids, MI

Assorted Workshops

WORK EXPERIENCE

1999-2001 Artist in Residence
Clark Retirement Community
Grand Rapids, MI

1995-99 Adjunct Faculty, Drawing and Design
Kendall College of Art and Design
Grand Rapids, MI

1991 Adjunct Faculty, Painting
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

1986 Adjunct Faculty, Life Drawing
Kendall College of Art and Design
Grand Rapids, MI

1983 Workshop Facilitator, Watercolor
Kendall School of Design
Grand Rapids, MI

1974-78 Graphic Designer
Big Dutchman
Zeeland, MI

1972-76 Gallery Owner
Quicksand Gallery
Grand Rapids, MI

1970-72 Graphic Designer
Harley Wagner Agency
Grand Rapids, MI

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:

Selected Regional Juried Shows:

Area Art Show 1995
Lowell, MI

Calder Art Festival '81, 82, 83, 84, 89, 92, 94, 95 (painting award, 1982; city purchase award,
1992)
Grand Rapids, MI

Area Competitive Art Show 1982
Holland MI

Michigan Artist Competition 1982
Battle Creek, MI

Michigan Fine Arts Competition 1983
Birmingham, MI

Annual West Michigan Juried Competition, 83,84,85,87 (painting awards '83, 85)
Muskegon, MI

Steelcase Michigan Student Competition, 1984 (painting awards)
Southfield, MI

Selected One Person Shows:

Tamarack Gallery, 2018, Exquisite Care
Omena, MI

Castle Gallery, 2015
Fort Wayne, IN

Gallery Arcadia, Painting the Town I, 1999, Lure of the Land, 2000, Painting the Town II, 2000
Grand Rapids, MI

Fredrick Meijer Gardens, 2000
Grand Rapids, MI

Muskegon Museum of Art 1986
Muskegon, MI

Invitational Group Art Shows:

Grand Rapids Community College, 1980, l989
Grand Rapids, MI

Corcoran Gallery
Muskegon, MI

COLLECTIONS

Steelcase, Inc.
Grand Rapids, MI

Muskegon Museum of Art
Muskegon, MI

The City of Grand Rapids

Warner Norcross and Judd
Grand Rapids, MI

The Frey Foundation
Grand Rapids, MI

Spectrum Hospital
Grand Rapids, MI

Parkview Hospital
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana Tech University
Fort Wayne, IN

GALLERY REPRESENTATION

Tamarack Gallery
Omena, MI

Castle Gallery
Fort Wayne, IN

Marquee
Asheville NC