Carolyn Ritter is an award- winning artist from Atlanta, Georgia and Bradenton, Florida. She received a degree in art education from Auburn University and began teaching in schools and workshops in Florida, Georgia, and Washington. Her paintings and illustrations have appeared in national publications including the October 2000 cover of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Carolyn’s paintings of animals and botanicals hang in veterinary hospitals, universities, corporations, and private collections internationally. In 2006, the Georgia department of Agriculture selected her painting of a retriever to appear on the state’s dog and cat sterilization license plate, and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia hosted a solo show of her botanicals. In 2007, 64 paintings of animals , botanicals, and vegetables were exhibited at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia. Her paintings can be found in national shows, galleries in the Atlanta metro area, and online at: carolynritter.com and oneartsource.com. Limited edition prints of her work are available through ArtCandy Editions and carolynritter.com.

My paintings are intimate portraits of nature. Whether I am painting plants or animals I am intrigued by looking close up and painting intimate views larger than life. The purpose of this approach is to say “slow down, look closely at God’s creation, there is a world of wonder right under your nose.”

Acrylics and mixed media give me the freedom to explore and build up layers of color and texture. Once I am satisfied that I understand the essence of my subject and how I connect to it, I approach painting in a more intuitive way, concerning myself with the process rather than the outcome.

- Carolyn Ritter