Artist: Carol Thibodeaux

Artists » Carol Thibodeaux

Craft Medium: Mixed Media

Artist's Statement: ARTIST STATEMENT:

For me, Folk Art is true freedom. It allows me to experiment - to let imagination work with inspiration and to let my heart guide me on the Path. As a self-taught and learning artist, much of my work is "outside the box", since I never knew where the Box was. It is my goal to develop my own artistic vision, without concern for the labels and classifications imposed by others. In the words of Carlos Casteneda, "For me, there is only the traveling on paths that may have heart. There I travel, and the only worthwhile challenge is traverse its full length. And there I travel - looking, looking - Breathlessly."

Artist Works:

Artist Biography:
Born in Virginia, Carol lived in nearly every state south of the Mason-Dixon Line before moving to Louisiana at the age of 16. After graduating, she attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. She moved to California's beautiful northern coast in 1974 and began a career in Silicon Valley. During that time, she traveled to the Orient, spending time in Japan, Okinawa and Korea. In 1984, she returned "home" to Louisiana and re-discovered the beauty and rich culture of the South. She lives with her husband, Michael, in a 100+ year-old Acadian home near the banks of the Amite River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Carol feels that when she slowed down, ART caught her. She literally found a box of art supplies on the side of the road one day and discovered her passion inside. Folk art has allowed her the freedom to express her heart in many ways. She makes sculptures using gourds, paints on wood, has developed a method of painting on window screen which she calls Cajun Stained Glass. The freedom of being a folk artist has allowed her to overcome the obstacle of having no formal training in art and to absolutely work with the heart and soul of the project at hand. Inspiration comes by keeping the channel of intrinsic creativity open - and looking, looking -- sometimes seeing. Carol exhibits at art shows and festivals, served on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Crafts Guild and has a creche on permanent display at the St. Trophines Cloister in Arles, France.

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