Carolyn Misterek (b. 1985) has always been an artist at heart. However, after earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 2007, she took an unexpected hiatus from painting.
Over the next 12 years, Carolyn built a thriving career in creative industries, working as a copywriter, content strategist, and UX designer. During this time, she also earned a Master’s degree in art history and ventured into entrepreneurial pursuits, most notably founding the handbag label MATINE.
In 2019, a transformative moment of clarity inspired Carolyn to close her handbag business and fully commit to her studio art practice. This decision marked the beginning of a remarkable new chapter in her life.
Since returning to painting, Carolyn’s work has resonated with a global audience, earning her collectors in more than 30 countries. She now lives and creates in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and their spirited dog.
Artist Statement:
My painting practice is an exploration of the delicate interplay between memory, place, and identity. I strive to capture the emotional landscapes of human experience, drawing inspiration from the beauty and complexity of both the natural and material worlds of my daily life. I have a particular interest in the concept of transience—how the briefest moments and memories can deeply shape our understanding of self.
Negative space plays a vital role in my paintings as well, mimicking the pauses and reflections found in both nature and my experience of motherhood—moments where clarity, though fleeting, often emerges from chaos. In many of my works, the dialogue between the organic and the constructed serves as a reminder of how our perceptions can blur the lines between reality and imagination. My hope is that each piece sparks conversations about the stories we carry within us, the landscapes we navigate, and the beauty available to us where we choose to notice it.
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All images taken from: https://www.carolynmisterek.com
Carolyn Misterek's IG : @carolynmisterek
