Work samples

  • Butterfly
    Butterfly, 2020, acrylic paint and pastel on paper, 22"x30"
  • Midnight Waterplay
    Midnight Waterplay, 2019, acrylic paint on paper, 11"x14"
  • Windswept Doorway
    Windswept Doorway, 2019, acrylic paint on paper, 11"x14"
  • Hugs & Kisses Board Game
    Hugs & Kisses Board Game, 2020, acrylic paint on paper

About Carol

Baltimore County
Carol McGraw was born in Rochester, New York.  As a young girl, she moved with her parents and seven siblings to Phoenix, Arizona.  Carol spent much of her time as she grew up tucked in a corner, sketching.  Attending Arizona State University, she majored in Studio Art, which had more of an emphasis on drawing.  While there, she found she could express herself more powerfully with paint.  Upon graduation in 1979 with a B.A., Carol went to work in an administrative capacity (a "real" job),… more

Markmakings and Colorplays 4

  • Butterfly
    2020, acrylic paint and pastels on paper, 22"x30"
  • Forecast
    2020, acrylic paint on paper, 22"x30"
  • Squiggly Map
    2020, acrylic paint on paper, 18"x24"
  • Hugs & Kisses Board Game
    2020, acrylic paint on paper, 14"x20"
  • Like Herding Cats
    2020, acrylic on paper
  • Woven Cloud
    2020, acrylic paint on paper
  • Acrobats
    2020, acrylic paint on paper, 11"x14"

Markmakings and Colorplays 3

  • Blocked Entryway
    2020, acrylic paint on paper, 11"x14"
  • Color Bundle
    2020, acrylic paint on paper, 22"x30"
  • Ponytail
    2020, acrylic paint on paper, 22"x30"
  • Midnight Waterplay
    2019, acrylic paint on paper, 11"x14"
  • Windswept Doorway
    2019, acrylic paint on paper, 11"x14"
  • Memory Threads
    2019, acrylic paint on paper, 11"x14"
  • Sewing Project
    acrylic paint on paper, 18"x24"

Markmakings and Colorplays 2

 
  • Appetizers
    acrylic paint on paper
  • One Sunny Adventure
    acrylic paint on paper
  • Vintage Color TV
    acrylic paint on paper
  • Playtime
    acrylic paint on paper
  • A Passing Storm
    acrylic paint and oil pastel on paper, 14"x20"
  • Radiating Bloom
    2015, oil paint stick on paper, 12"x12"
  • Menu Options
    2015, oil paint stick on paper, 12"x12"
  • Wing
    2015, oil paint stick on paper, 12"x16"
  • Stitched Painting 4
    2014, yarn, ribbon, and twine on paper, 12"h x 12"w
  • Stitched Painting 3

Markmakings and Colorplays 1

  • Evening Celebration
    2014, acrylic paint on paper, 10"x8"
  • Rose-Colored Glasses
    acrylic paint on paper, 12"x16"
  • Leg of the River
    2014, acrylic paint on paper, 12"x16"
  • Patchwork River
    2013, acrylic paint on paper, 12"x16"
  • Lights in the Tunnel
    acrylic paint on paper, 12"x12"
  • Billows
    2011, acrylic paint and oil pastel
  • Layers Floating
    2010, acrylic paint and charcoal on paper, 16"h x 12"w
  • Pyramid
    2010, acrylic paint and charcoal on paper, 16"h x 12"w
  • Cell Cascade
    2010, acrylic paint and oil stick on canvas
  • Purple Cells
    2010, acrylic paint on paper, 16"x12"

Real Life

  • Yellow Flowers Blue Vases
    2020, acrylic paint on paper
  • Orange Cream Pitcher and Flowers
    2020, watercolor and pen on paper
  • Cream Pitcher and Succulent
    acrylic paint on paper
  • Sunny Bouquet
    2018, watercolor and pen on paper
  • Bright Day
    2017, acrylic paint on paper, 14"h x 20"w
  • Beachfront Treasures
    pen on paper
  • Swooning Blossoms
  • Blossoming Treetops
    2011, acrylic paint on paper, 12"x16"
  • Crane Fly 3
    acrylic paint and charcoal on paper, 12"x16"
  • Pathos
    charcoal on paper

Imaginings and Interpretations



  • Tangled Beads
    2020, acrylic paint on paper, 14"x20"
  • Beads On Faded Blot
    2014, acrylic paint on paper, 12"h x 16"w
  • Beads On Faded Plaid
    2014, acrylic paint on paper, 12"h x 12"w
  • Night Flora
    acrylic paint on paper
  • Floral Choir
    2016, acrylic paint on paper, 18"h x 24"w
  • Tall Tales and Empty Hearts
    2013, acrylic paint on paper, 30"x22"
  • Circus - Balancing Bear
    2014, acrylic paint on paper
  • Circus - Ferocious Lion
    2014, acrylic paint on paper
  • Coming And Going
    2010, acrylic paint on canvas
  • Garden Bird
    2010, acrylic paint on canvas, 20"x24"

Figures

  • The Cellist
    2013, acrylic paint and charcoal on paper, 30"h x 22"w
  • Sneakers And Silver Bracelets
  • Woman With Baggage
  • Double Hula Hoop
  • Free Dancer
  • Pink Dancer
  • Medallion Dance Angel
  • Falling Tresses And Medallion
    2011, acrylic paint, charcoal, pencil, and oil stick on paper, 30"h x 22"w
  • The Black Slip
    acrylic paint on paper, 30"x22"
  • Sunflowers
    acrylic paint on paper, 22"x30"

Emotions and Experiences

  • Obstacles - Real And Imagined
  • Do Not Disturb
  • Sleeping The World Away
  • I Can Soar Above - In My Dreams
  • Phoenix Rising
  • The Migraine Sets In
  • Circling The Wagons
  • The Great Divide
  • Building Up The Courage
    2011, acrylic paint and charcoal on paper, 12"x16"
  • The Closest Bond
    acrylic paint and charcoal on paper, 24"x18"

Linoleum Block Print Drawings

I learned linoleum block printing in a high school crafts class.  I liked the simplicity and the repetitive nature of the designs.  At first, I used my designs to decorate clothing, mostly that I was sewing myself.  When I was new to Baltimore, in the late 1990's and early 2000's, I began making mixed media drawings based on combinations of my prints and using acrylic paint, watercolors, oil pastels, dry pastels, and colored pencils.  These drawings allowed me a freedom beyond just the act of printing.  I was chosen to exhibit my artwork, give a talk, and teach a class about my linoleum block print artwork at The Ward Center for the Arts at the St. Paul's School for Girls in 2005.
  • Green Phoenix
    2003, acrylic paint, watercolor, and oil pastel on paper
  • Red Phoenix
    2003, acrylic paint, watercolor, and oil pastel on paper
  • Plumes
    acrylic paint on tulle, lace, and paper
  • Falling From Grace
    acrylic paint, watercolor, and oil pastel on paper
  • The Jilted Lover
  • Pray
    acrylic paint, watercolor, colored pencil, and feathers on paper, 22"h x 30"w
  • Praying For Direction
    2000, acrylic paint, watercolor, and oil pastel on paper, 30"h x 22"w
  • She Was Caught Unaware With Her Angels
    acrylic paint, watercolor, oil pastel on paper, 30"x22"
  • Sea Dragons
    1999, acrylic paint, watercolor, and oil pastel on paper, 22"h x 30"w
  • Purple Flame Dragon
    1999, acrylic paint, watercolor, and oil pastel on paper, 22"h x 30"w