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”Community Member Spotlight: Carol Rowan,”
Woodley Park, September 2, 2020
Today’s blog is in conversation with Woodley Park resident and artist Carol Rowan, who is especially known for her black and white drawings. Her painstakingly detailed works of art have been exhibited in museums and galleries across the country including the Corcoran Gallery of Art and National Museum of Women in the Arts (both in Washington, D.C.). Sam Shaw of Sam Shaw Contemporary gallery in Northeast Harbor, Maine where she recently had a solo exhibit, said of her drawings, “Graphite drawings of this magnitude are extraordinary, and the medium itself is nearly a lost art.”
What originally brought you to Woodley Park?
I moved to Woodley Park after falling in love and starting a new chapter of my personal life in 2008. Once my art studio and business spaces merged, my work continued with very positive outcomes. I have always worked at home and was now thrilled because of the added work benefit of being able to walk to the Phillips Collection or up to the National Cathedral gardens and building for inspiration.
You have mentioned that you used to play the cello. How does music play a role in your process of creating art?
I grew up in a family where music was a huge part of our life. My parents insisted that I study an instrument, so I began with the piano, at age 5 moving to the cello at 8. To this day I am grateful that my father’s discipline to practice was the guiding star for me. Concentration on music ultimately became the foundation for my life’s work as a focused and disciplined fine artist.
You’ve been an artist for over 40 years. How has your art changed over that time? What do you still want to explore in your art?
I am constantly learning and growing as an artist. I focused on realistic graphite drawings for 20 years, then started painting more and more and now look forward to doing some wood and metal sculptural works.
Of all the places you’ve been (or want to go) in the world, where do you draw the most inspiration?
All kinds of historic architecture, the dry grasses and shores of Australia where my daughter and her husband live, smiling kids, peaceful scenes, Maine’s fogged in harbors or the bridges around Manhattan. I am an avid cyclist who loves to explore on a single speed bike in the city or anywhere else on a road bike. I have seen a lot of Woodley Park by bike and beyond its neighborhoods into every Ward. Old things interest me - a circuit breaker box in an abandoned building, or a wooden fruit shipping crate from a farmer’s market. I notice details of structure and love to explore.
How would you describe the DC art scene?
The DC art scene is great! We have art students, art supply stores, galleries, museums, theatres, symphonies, plus my favorite event each year - the Smithsonian Kite Festival’s fighting kites in the spring on the Mall!! There are creative people everywhere. The District’s creative class has sparked connections of mine far and wide. I love the size of the city too. As I mentioned earlier, I am a cyclist, so when I get frustrated in my studio, somewhere in a painting, let’s say, I can hop on my bike, drop into Rock Creek Park, head south to the Potomac, ride along side of the Kennedy Center then around to the front of the National Gallery of Art. I go look at the masters for inspiration, then head back to my studio and feel completely energized. I have learned how to paint, just by looking at the work of Thomas Cole in the National Gallery of Art and have fallen in love with a certain red oil paint because of a Degas portrait (Achille De Gas in the Uniform of a Cadet, 1856/1857, oil on canvas. Chester Dale Collection). The city is thriving with creative outlets. Some are right on the Mall and free, others are hidden gems in each ward of the city.
How has the current public health crisis impacted your work as an artist, if at all?
The current pandemic has presented new challenges to respond to in creative ways. My first was accepting that there would be no opening reception for a solo show I had. This acceptance quickly became gratitude, that the show would still go on and that the gallery remained open. Happily, the gallery sold a few pieces and my collector base expanded. Also, for the last several months, instead of buying new materials, I use what I have when at all possible. A fall exhibition was recently put on hold until a later date as well. Ultimately this is much better for the spirit of the artwork. It can evolve further, before I order the panels and paint.
What is your favorite way to spend time in Woodley Park?
I’m a very active person, so can be seen walking, cycling & running or just hanging out with neighbors on our porches. (Halloween is just about perfect on our block. We haven’t missed one of them since 2007.) I also love....listening to the National Cathedral bells on Tuesday nights and hearing the animals at the National Zoo early in the morning. When it snows, sledding on Shoreham Drive/Calvert Hill then sitting outside with a hot chocolate at Open City or cross country skiing in the park before heading by the Lebanese Taverna to pick up lentil soup.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’d love to see an art gallery, or weekend shows in Woodley Park for artists to display their works and a place for kids to see art in their own neighborhood. I’d also love to see a cozy coffee bar with live musical events. It’d be great to see a few food trucks where people could spotlight the fantastic culinary artists of DC.
Woodfired pizza, Ramen/Noodle bar, tacos!!!!!