The Art of Being Carol
I’ve been talking to strangers again, and I found an award winning artist in a tiny town near the incredible Olympic National Park—Carol Simons, a vibrant, kindhearted, and warm lady in the golden years of life. And boy, has she got a knack for sharing the beauties of the world.
Artist Carol Simons
I met Carol via Forks, Washington’s Olympic Artforge, the accurately self proclaimed “headquarters for local art and expression” on the west end of the Olympic Peninsula.
Now, on a scale of one to ten, my level of enthusiasm for talking on the phone with someone I’ve never met is between a negative two and zero. But I dug down deep in my pocket for a bit of courage and took it when Artforge owner, Vern Hestand, called Carol and handed me the phone before I could stop him.
Her friendly demeanor immediately put me at ease, and we set up our little get together shortly thereafter. I never know what to expect walking into a new friend’s home for the first time, and my tendency to get absorbed in the visual feast can make it challenging to pay attention to a conversation! Some of you might know what I mean. You may have experienced entering the home or studio of a prolific artist, which is sort of like a private tour of a small museum. It truly leaves a unique impression on ones heart.
Carol’s sweetheart has lended his loving support of her artistic talents. He helped build her home studio, plus one ultra handy contribution in particular—several narrow shelves on the walls for Carol to display her varied works. “Whatever I get an emotional reaction to when I see it, that’s what I paint,” Carol said, noting that it’s more exciting and moves quickly from concept to completion than a commissioned painting does.
She told me a story about a time when the two of them lived in Idaho near the rural town of Potlatch. They bought a forty acre farm and spent twelve years renovating it. The area is still noted for its beauty and Carol suggested I take a trip to The Palouse, not far from their farm. It’s a place photographers tend to visit to capture the many rolling hills, farms, and timber. She herself fell in love with some of the sights, and painted these particular scenes…
Aside from her art, she once took a job at a tree farm, cooking for thirty boys (which made my jaw drop). She laughed and said, “It’s like I had a budget where I could buy anything I wanted, so I made things I’ve never made and couldn’t afford to make.” I would bet those boys still remember her to this day. An illustrated, themed cookbook, reminiscent of those days might be a good idea. I know I’d buy it!
Actively involved in the community, Carol told me about an upcoming Makers Market, and I was glad to know I’d still be in town to attend, which I did. She and a couple of other local artists set up a free watercolor table for attendees to try their hand at it. My husband, Dave, and I sat down in the back surrounded by the smells of hamburgers being prepared by the local Elks Lodge volunteers. We selected our desired sample painting, and then attempted to make our own version with Carol’s help and instruction. What a fun way to connect with community members of all ages!
Find Carol on Facebook and Instagram @carolsimonsart
Can you think of someone like Carol who has the natural ability to open your eyes to the beauties of the world through art, community connection, story telling, or some other ability? How does that person make you feel? Carol is so unassuming that I don’t know if she realizes how memorable my experience with her was. I felt so warmly welcomed and comfortable snooping through her studio. She even sent a small painting home with me, a cat that she didn’t know reminded me of my own kitty that died about a decade ago. I’m looking at it now as I write.
The person you thought of…what if you honored them with a short tribute? Write a blog post, add them to your journal, or put them in your family tree. FamilySearch is a free resource for keeping track of the stories that hold a special place in your heart. If signing up feels daunting, click HERE to find a volunteer center near you where someone can walk you through the process.
RootsTech, sponsored by FamilySearch, is an annual genealogy conference where beginners and experts alike learn how to make their family tree come to life with stories like Carol’s. The conference is free online, but in-person early bird pricing ends soon. Check it out by clicking the picture below.
