Carolyn E. Oliver

Intimate Reflections
10″x11″; envelope from credit card bills, vintage 1960’s magazine images; 2024

Carolyn E. Oliver
Carisbad, California, USA

STATEMENT

I am an artist influenced by my lifelong experiences and global adventures. For over 25 years, I have worked as an interior designer, crafting meaningful spaces for my North American clients. Currently I am now channeling that same passion and expertise into my visual art.

My work is a fusion of collages, mono prints, and mixed media pieces. I draw inspiration from memories, everyday life, and the whimsical elements of the world around me. I elect to use a variety of materials: found papers and objects, handmade elements, vintage and antique magazine images, as well as photography from across the globe. My art is an exploration of emotion and connection.

Every piece is crafted by hand, with care, as I seek to create works that resonate on a personal level with viewers. The tactile nature of my materials mirrors the complexity of our human experience. My artistic journey has also given me the opportunity to collaborate with The Los Angeles County Museum of Art as a consultant to assist in the creation of their retail venue, The Home Shoppe.

Ultimately, my goal is to create art that not only reflects my own experiences but also speaks to the imagination and wonder in those who encounter it.

BIO

People’s hearts and minds are changed by storytelling and Oliver now shares her lifelong stories through art. Based in Southern California for over 25 years, Oliver has worked throughout North America as an interior designer blending creativity and functionality to create spaces for her cherished international clientele.

Oliver is currently channeling that same passion and expertise into the world of visual art. Through Oliver’s collages, monoprints, and mixed media creations, she explores themes from her lifelong memories, world adventures, personal transformation, and the beauty and whimsy of everyday life. Each of her creations are crafted with care, using a mix of found materials from around the world, handmade elements, and bold compositions to evoke a sense of wonder and individuality. Oliver’s work is infused with rich textures, depth, and emotion that have defined her career. Oliver’s journey has provided her incredible opportunities, including serving as a consultant to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where she played a key role in designing their renowned retail venue, “The Home Shop.”

Oliver’s design work has been featured numerous times in national print and media, celebrating Oliver’s ability to bring vision and artistry to life. Several of her historic restoration projects have been showcased in The Home Section, LA Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Pasadena Magazine, Elle Décor, CBS’s Beautiful Homes and Great Estates, PBS’S FIND! Hosted by the Keno Brothers, Kitchen and Bath Magazine, and featured in several coffee table design books.

For over two decades, Oliver has served as a Board Member of Art Center One Hundred, Art Center College of Design. As a former Trustee of Pasadena’s Pacific Asia Museum, Oliver co-chaired the Museum’s successful 40th Anniversary. She continues to serve as a longtime member of Pasadena Art Alliance, a 70 year old nonprofit whose mission is to foster appreciation by financially supporting Southern California’s contemporary and visual arts. Her experience has afforded her the privilege to view, experience, and learn from illustrious artists.

ARTIST CONTACT

(626) 644-0680
EMAIL | WEBSITE

IMAGES

Kewpie’s Confession
14″x11″; mono prints, photography and personal photography images; 2024
Mid-century Muse
12″x16″; found papers from 1970’s, silhouette and drywall tape; 2025
Fashion Fringe
11″x14″; vintage scarf, found and altered images, both antique and current images; 2024
The Rose That Remembers
11″x14″; photo slicing, 1950’s found images, old dictionary, dry wall tape; 2024