Cara Koolmees

I was born in Long Beach and grew up in Downey, California where I was encouraged in art by a family friend. I started drawing pastel portraits at age 10. Throughout school I took art classes, having my first one man show in high school. I went to Long Beach State College, California as an Art major. During the same time period, I attended Cerritos College as a pre-med and Art major. I then went to the University of Southern California and received a B.S. degree in Dental Hygiene.After getting married and having two children, I still painted part time, took workshops and entered juried shows. After we moved to Utah in 1995 and my children graduated from college in 2000, I earnestly started painting.I have always looked for interesting subjects that I can interpret with exaggerated color and pattern.cara_duo Living in northern Utah allowed me to use this style in landscapes, seascapes, balloons etc. However, when I acquired a studio on historic 25thStreet in Ogden, I started painting interesting buildings beginning with my studio. These buildings are treated as “portraits”. Since then I have done numerous commissioned paintings for Historic 25thStreet businesses, festivals, and brochures.Growing up in California gave me a love for the beach which translates into my “beachy” pictures that show the whimsical side of human nature. I continue to learn and grow as an artist developing my own unique style.