Carolyn Kleinberger is an “imaginative realist” painter working in oil on canvas and wood panels. Originally self-taught in charcoal with an emphasis on still life, she was particularly interested in capturing the light and shadows emanating from crystal and fine glass. As she expanded her medium to include oils and mixed media, Carolyn was drawn to seek professional training.
In 2001 Carolyn’s 21 year career ended as a public defender for Juvenile and Family Court in Ramsey and Washington Counties. With encouragement from her family, she began to pursue her love of painting and drawing. But it was not until 2008 that she began formal training at the Edina Art School. In 2009 she applied to The Atelier in Minneapolis and spent four years of rigorous training in the Atelier method of realism under the direction of Cyd Wicker and Dale Redpath.
Her work includes figure drawings, portraits, still life, landscapes, seascapes and florals. Her artwork is influenced and inspired by her travels and the people she has met, her interest in differing spiritual beliefs, her desire to capture the movement, beauty, and light in water and glass, and the beauty of florals.
Carolyn’s commissioned works include portraits, pet portraits, farm houses and historical buildings. Some of Carolyn’s most prominent series of works, include The Ten Plagues, Strong Women of the Bible, Water and Sand: Forging A Nation, Florals - A Feast for the Senses and The Power of Water. Carolyn has exhibited in over thirty solo and group exhibitions locally and around the the country. She is passionate about sharing her art with others in various forums and has lectured about her work during exhibitions.
Early in 2020, Carolyn began a Salon Series in her third floor studio with discussions around her art and other current topics. The discussions were lead by a scholar, poet, author, musician, scientist or philosopher, with glowing reviews. The pandemic shut down the Salon Series with a brief revival in the fall of 2021. At that time the series began with chamber music by the Jamison Ensemble, followed by David Page, historian on F. Scott Fitzgerald, and closed 2021 with philosopher Vernon Pollard.
Carolyn’s studio is located in the historic Griggs mansion on Summit Ave in St. Paul, Minnesota and her work can be seen on her website at www.CarolynKleinberger.com.
Powered by Artwork Archive