Where can I find Carl?
I know right!? Here are the most likely spots: His Gallery in Salida, your local art festival, his gallery in Santa Fe Painting at the Taos Ski Valley, Painting at the Santa Fe Ski Valley, Painting at Breckinridge or Monarch in Colorado, Climbing up the side of a cliff in the middle of the wilderness, Somewhere in Arizona, anywhere there's ponies, your local botanical garden painting flowers, and maybe along the road somewhere. Keep an eye out you just might see him. If you do be sure to get footage, as he's never been caught on camera in the wild before.
Where can I find Carl’s paintings?
We have a gallery in Santa Fe, and another in Salida. Carl also pulls a trailer around with him that's full of paintings so if you find him you can find them. That said, we do our best to keep available paintings here on the website. If you fall in love with one give us a call and we will get it to you, and maybe just come along with it!
Does Carl use palette knife
I know, right?!
Realistically, he knows what he wants, and he will use anything to get it. We've seen him use paint brushes, rollers, knives, spatulas, colanders, railroad spikes, plastic flowers, gum wrappers and even his shoes to lay down paint and get a desired effect. He's like a mad scientist on the oils.
Does Carl paint from photos?
When he's not painting from real life, yes. But most of the time he likes to be out there looking at the scene, smelling the air, taking in the light.
What is the process like?
I know, right!?
(Aka absolute chaos nobody could ever explain it)
What does Carl wear when painting?
Yes
Do you sell unframed paintings
Yes
Do you authenticate the paintings
Yes, every painting comes with a signed certificate of authenticity and a serial number. As well as instructions for care and a little story that goes along with it.
How do I care for the painting?
Look at it every day
In reality, have a look at our oil painting care guide [HERE]
Can the piece be in direct sunlight
Yes
What is the best height to hang a painting?
Best is the middle of the painting at “eye-level”. It also depends on what the space is wanting. For example if the painting is going to be hung by a dining table hang it high enough chairs will not hit the painting. Also, trust yourself, you’ll know.
How do I light it?
Spotlights from the ceiling are a fabulous option. And I paint the paintings in many different lightings for this very reason. Any household light that lights the room, from a lamp to ceiling lights will be enough to have your painting be experiential in your space.
Does Carl Paint Live?
Yes. At art festivals, in his galleries, on ski slopes, at weddings, concerts, and other events
Can Carl paint my event live?
Yes. Reach out to Carl via email to discuss the scope of the event and the experience you want.
Does Carl paint plein air?
Yes. All the time. The size isn’t limited either, from a petite 36x36 or a modest 6 foot by 8 foot.
What does Plein air mean?
It means painting outside using the landscape as a reference to gather information of how light and air really plays on objects and space. Some artists use plein air only as studies to take back to their studios to inform later pieces. Carl uses plein air to keep the energy of his paintings alive, often returning to the location until the painting is finished to keep the freshness and harmony of real colors playing off themselves in real time and avoid the muddy grays or garish oversaturations so often created from painting only in the studio.
Can Carl teach me how to paint?
Can you catch butterflies in a hurricane? If so, there is probably a chance.
I am a painter, what advice do you have for me?
I know, right!?!
What is Carl’s Style
I know, right!?
Simply: representational impressionism. He is greatly influenced by Russian Impressionism and building up a painting in the old masters’ way. The Impressionist style is a beautiful foil to carry his expressionist way of painting. The subject of his paintings range to include landscape, floral, equestrian, western, figurative, high-detail realism, and completely abstract. He is generous in his application of paint, using it to give literal texture to paintings.
Are the paintings dry?
I know, right!?
It greatly depends on where or when the painting was painted, (paintings painted in Arizona dry faster than ones in Colorado), when, and how thick the paint is. It also depends on if Carl has been in the gallery recently or not, or if you are buying a painting at an art festival. Typically a painting cures to the touch within a week, and may take as long as a century to fully cure.
What materials does Carl use?
Carl uses all the materials.
Paintings are usually on canvas or wood panel with acrylic and/or oil. Drawings are done on paper with charcoal.
Does Carl do Charcoal Drawings?
Daily. In fact, if you happen to be dining at the same restaurant as him, he very likely will be drawing you.
What is Carl’s Background?
I know, right?
At this point I would be surprised if he isn’t three highly educated monkeys in a trench coat. His education started at home with a head-master father, then he attended on of the top boarding schools in Ohio, became a division-one athlete in Lacrosse, went to art school in Cleveland. Now this next bit all happened at the same time, because three-monkeys: while attending university for graphic design Carl designed nightclubs and restaurants, became a top-selling real estate agent, and opened his own mortgage company. He went on to attend 9 art schools all over the world, including Denver art league and New York art league. He also mentored under and collaborated with many notable artists like Walt Gonski, Kim English, Dave Santianos, Barry Thomas, Michelle Torez, Joshua Bean, and many others. Beyond art Carl studies business and psychology extensively and has consulted many key business owners through the country. Locally he consulted and mentored many of the artists who own their galleries in Salida, and gallery directors in Denver and Santa Fe. He loves playing with other artists on the road and is always inviting artists to come play art school with him.
Team Questions
Who is “We”?
I know, right!
Could be the royal we, and it’s constantly fluctuating. You are definitely part of we. We may include everyone that has ever played with, mentored, or supported Carl in any way throughout his life.
Currently, we includes: Brady, Carl, Cozy, Julie, Kasia and whoever has tagged along for the time. We jammed with a Michael, the traveling nurse in Santa Fe who plays Cello, yeah, he’s is we, too. You are we, I am Sparticus.
What does Brady do?
Brady is the looks of the team. Our professor of biology. Photographer. Musician, Social Media Marketing guru, keeper of good music playing, and community builder. If he invites you to jam, do it. Doesn’t matter if you play an instrument. Do it.
What does Julie do?
Right! The sounding board and affirmations guru.
What does Kasia do?
Right! A few titles gallery director, artist agent, meals coordinator, Carl’s right hand, sometimes Carl's both hands, fairies manager, logistics, supply runner
Food questions
What is Carl’s Favorite Craft Beer?
Yes. More specifically: no IPAs.
What is Carl’s Favorite Wine?
Reds with big bold flavors like a Zin, Cab, occasionally a Pinot Noir, or bright whites. I’ve never seen him drink a Merlot.
What is Carl’s favorite food?
Good food, and frozen cookies after dinner
Does Kasia like bread?
That’s complicated. She’s celiac, so who knows
Does Cozy like brussel sprouts
No.
Does Brady cook?
Like a goddammed chef
Does Brady eat everything?
Yes, keep him away from the paint
Does Julie eat fowl, or pork?
No. And if she asks prosciutto comes from a plant.
Does Brady like birds?
So much
How does Carl stay organized?
No.
Fairies.
Where do the fairies come from?
Right? They showed up around the same time Cozy did.
Do you ship?
Yes. Like so good. We have the best shipping.
Do you deliver locally?
For the price of getting to drink beer/wine with you, yes
Do you install?
No.
Do you maybe help with install for the price of beer/wine?
The short answer is: It depends on the piece. We are by no means professional art installers but we have certainly hung a painting in our time. We can install a piece for you, but we will not be held responsible for any damage of the house, the painting, nor guarantee the security of a painting being attached to a wall. Our favorite option is to recommend a pro installer in your area. We have people everywhere and are more than happy to share their details with you!
Is it possible to request a few small changes to a painting I want to buy?
Yes, the request is possible. Contact Carl at 719-351-2034. The reality of those changes greatly depend on what they are so give him a call. He will love to hear your vision.
Cozy Questions
Does Cozy like treats?
Yes. and she’ll have you convinced she’s never eaten a day in her life
Does Cozy like snuggles?
Yes. If you are new her favorite places to be scritched is on her chest or her butt. Don’t try the top of her head, immediate foul, she will be offended.
Is Cozy the Vibes Curator?
Yes. Her vibes are sensitive, so she might say no from far away and then decide your new job is to pet her and that is it.
Does Cozy have a leash?
Probably not. It’s ok, the fairies taught her to be the goodest girl
Does Cozy like kids?
Under 3, nope. slow and gentle, yes!
Does Cozy like other dogs?
She thinks they’re sketchy as shit. She’s curious and scared and will probably call them names and run away like she didn’t just insult their mothers.
Can I buy Cozy posh-bitch treats?
Hells yes. Her Venmo account is here
What tricks does Cozy do?
Everything from sit to double backflip
[video of cozy tricks]
How does Cozy not get paint on her?
HAHAHAHAHA!
Is that paint on Cozy?
Yes. In her defense someone put paint towels in the trash. There was beer in there.
Interior Designer/Corporations
Have you ever painted for interior designers
Yes, we painted for parade of homes designers in Colorado Springs and Denver
And created custom pieces for Northwestern Mutual Banks and Ritz-Carlton Hotels.
Send an email or give us a call to get in conversation about what you are looking for.
Do you have prints?
Right?!? We’re working on it we promise. If you have any input we would love to hear it, PLEASE send a message we need some guidance!
Do you have a return policy?
No, but we do have an exchange policy for something equal or lesser in value.
Does Carl do commissions?
Hell yes! you can click
for our commissions request page! Here is some insider information to get your commission done as soon as possible.
-Keep the excitement going! Keep checking in with Carl, you aren’t bothering, you are excited. Your excited gets him excited.
-If you have a specific size, space, or subject include those in an email or text.
-If the subject is a person, or pet, send TOO many photos. The higher the resolution the better.
-Keep in mind, Carl doesn’t usually (if ever) take money down on a commission. This gives him flexibility in time, creative freedom, and allows him to paint the soul of the painting. Commissions are approached more as collaborations. He will check in with you to keep the energy up, to invite your own insights into the painting, and once the painting is nearing 80% completion will give you first-right-of-refusal. You will get an exclusive first-look at the painting, give input about what you like and what small shifts you want to be made. If you live local to Carl’s studio, you will definitely be invited to come paint with Carl on your painting.
Does Carl do commissions by a deadline?
I know, right!?