About

Carolyn is an award winning artist, designer, and educator living in the San Francisco Bay Area.

From an early age Carolyn drew and painted on whatever she could get her hands on. After graduating from CCA, she moved to New York to pursue a career in graphic design. While she enjoyed success as she strove to expand the parameters of visual communication, the impulse to return to making art became more than evident. What began as a few small drawings made at lunch, on the subway, and after hours, became a flurry of tiny abstract drawings. The New York art scene was riveting but Carolyn’s artistic compass took her to the Connecticut woods. She became immersed in a profound community of artists; some as yet undiscovered, and some of great renown, and many of them women. This circle had a voracious appetite for intellectual inquiry, probing uncharted territory, and gathering over dinners where thoughts and support were shared. Her newly discovered relationship with drawing took root, and seeing with her fingertips, she began to explore the possible depth of this trajectory. She made the shift from art as a lifelong interest, to making art as a way of living, as her best option for taking on life with heart. Carolyn returned to San Francisco and continued the walk down this road. Her work is informed by her knowledge of symbolism and art across time and cultures. Her drawings and paintings are in private collections. Presently her work is in the Vero Beach Museum of Art Faculty Show.

She is founder and teacher of For the Love of Drawing, a series of classes and workshops dedicated to deepening the drawing experience. She has created of a series of subsequent drawing courses which continue the development of proficiency and which increase personal awareness, and mastery , of the process of creative expression. She continues to develop new workshops.

Testimonial

“Carolyn Fee’s Art as Meditation class has been an exquisite journey in learning how to truly look, see, feel and fall in love with the subject of a drawing - be it figs, pears, Brussel sprouts or a prickly blossom.

I am a beginner, one who several months ago had no confidence in my ability to draw anything that would be worth looking at... Not only has Carolyn taught me the basic techniques in how to draw, and in doing so, brought me to the threshold of a brand new, unchartered creative self, she has opened the door to new way of seeing and appreciating everything.

Carolyn is a committed and talented teacher. Her instruction style is clear, patient, warm, encouraging, and gently hands-on and many times she has skillfully navigated blocking points to help me when I’ve become discouraged or disconnected from what I’m drawing. What I take away, every single time, is delight in my new creation, a bit more confidence and trust in the creative process, inspiration to continue and fresh eyes with which to see and love the world.”

Victoria Nagel Hauzy

“Carolyn’s drawing instruction has opened me to the subtleties of perception and a deeper sensitivity to the world around me. There is a zone, this right brained awareness, that harbors such depth and beauty. Carolyn understands how to help you access this part of yourself as a person and an artist. Learning to draw and to see with sensitivity has enhanced my work in other mediums as well.”

Joyce Feeney

“I have had the good fortune of taking a drawing class taught by Carolyn Fee. She brings an amazing sensitivity and empathy to her teaching which allows her to bring out the best in each of her students despite the fact that they vary in their technical abilities. What I have found most remarkable is her ability to hone in on the uniqueness of each student’s style without dismissing their work even if it may fail to meet the exercise at hand. I think it is because she has this uncanny ability of seeing what you can do even when you can’t see it for yourself. Best of all, she doesn’t give up until you finally begin to believe in yourself. She is a rare talent.”

Neysa Furey

“She is sensational. From the very beginning, she has been patient, supportive, and encouraging. I feel her insights and process of putting pencil to paper has improved my perspective of the art and artists I have always loved. With enthusiasm and without hesitation, I recommend her for an art teacher.”

Alan Weber

“Carolyn’s drawing workshop was a pure delight and a real eye-opener for me. I came to the experience with zero drawing experience and the story that ‘I am not an artist’, but decided to keep an open mind. In just a few hours I came away feeling inspired and accomplished. It turns out I CAN draw! Carolyn is a masterful teacher, both patient and discerning. She knows the nuances of her craft, but also how to open doors of understanding so her students see what is possible. I recommend her course without hesitation.”

Linda Curtis