I love animals, I always have... and painting them is my passion.

Internationally-recognized, award-winning artist Carol Santora
is best known for her expressionistic and soulful animal paintings.
From colorful, yet intimate close-ups of wildlife such as bears and wolves
to heart-warming commissions of cherished family pets,
Santora captures the essence and unique personality of the animals she paints.
Vibrant colors convey a sense of vitality in her soft pastel paintings
while her contemporary style communicates her personal vision.

Although her portfolio also includes local scenes, Santora (BFA, Framingham State College) has loved animals of all kinds since she was a child.
Her goal in painting an animal is to simplify her subject
so she can express her passion for it with excitement and energy
by pushing the boundaries of color.
At home with several media, Santora is a true colorist,
preferring soft pastel because of its clean, intense pigmentation that allows her to create her sensitive, insightful interpretations.

For Carol, each painting begins with a foundation of thorough research
that includes site visits to wildlife parks, farms and rescues all over the United States.
She works from her own photographs and sketches.
Carol’s work is grounded in representation, yet she is not bound by that.
As she works, a completely realistic depiction gives way to a more artistic,
contemporary rendering that serves her colorist and expressive purposes.

Carol has been honored with over four-dozen regional awards
including several 1st Place, People’s Choice and Best in Show awards,
and has exhibited all over the United States, St. Thomas USVI and in France.
Locally her work has been shown at the Brick Store and Saco Museums,
River Tree Center for the Arts, Heartwood College of Art, UNE Gallery Biddeford and the Kennebunk River Club.
Her work is internationally collected, and her professional affiliations include
the Art Guild of the Kennebunks, Maine Women in the Arts, Pastel Painters of Maine, and River Tree Center for the Arts.

Santora’s paintings can be seen at her gallery:

Santora Fine Art
23 Fletcher Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043

and on her website:

www.carolsantora.com

Carol accepts animal portrait commissions
and offers workshops and private art instruction.
Interested parties should contact Carol at:

207-985-2830 or info@carolsantora.com

Directions to Santora Fine Art.