Passion For Painting
Artist captures dogs, deserts and more
By Corky Mau
April 2022
Spring is here and the days shine long and bright for local artist Teresa Carle. During the pandemic, she rediscovered her passion for painting.
From a young age, Carle dreamt of becoming an artist. But life carried her down another path. She married, raised a family and had a successful career in accounting. Her dream of becoming an artist took a back seat. Today, she’s catching up, painting pet portraits and landscapes from road trips.
Carle grew up in Clearlake amid acres of walnut trees. “My parents encouraged my sister and I to embrace a creative life,” she says. “Our home was always filled with art supplies.”
Her father, a former superintendent of schools for Konocti Unified, dabbled in art and loved to build things from kits. Early projects were small, but eventually included a fiberglass houseboat and a geodesic home in Clearlake Oaks.
Carle was introduced to the beauty of landscapes from the clouds through her mother, a private pilot. Carle’s sister Debbie is an accomplished quilter.
“Art was my favorite subject in high school,” Carle says. “My teacher, Mr. Coats, introduced me to canvas oil painting. His daughter, Susan, lives in the Pocket and is one of my biggest supporters.”
On a visit to Carle’s home, I noticed the animals and California landscapes adorning the walls. She dotes on her two Westie dogs, Romeo and Luzi. “I love painting pets and capturing their spirit on canvas. It’s so gratifying to see the joy it brings to people,” she says.
Pocket resident Melody Koontz receives joy from Carle’s work. “When we unexpectedly lost our dog Penny, Teresa reached out,” Koontz says. “She offered us two paintings. Each one captured the personality and likeness of Penny. These gifts helped us through the grieving process.”
I can relate. I met Carle a few months after my dachshund Freddie died from cancer at age 17. Carle looked at several dog photos on my phone. Two weeks later, she surprised me with a beautiful painting of Freddie.
Carle and husband Dave just returned from a monthlong Airstream trip through the Southwest. Along the way, she drew and painted deserts, cactus, mountain sunrises and canyon sunsets.
Some works are slated for donation to auctions at the Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento SPCA and Triumph Cancer Foundation. Others will be sold on Carle’s Etsy site, BeautifulArtByCarle. She also will hold the Pocket Neighbors Art Show at her home Saturday, April 23. For more information, contact Carle at tcarle3753@sbcglobal.net.
EARTH DAY CLEAN UP
To commemorate Earth Day, District 7 Parks Commissioner Devin Lavelle is organizing a clean up at Garcia Bend Park. This fun family activity takes place Saturday, April 23, at 9 a.m. Bring gardening gloves. Everything else is provided. Register at bit.ly/D7Earth22.
SHRED EVENT
A shred event is scheduled Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Cook Realty, 4305 Freeport Blvd. The public can shred bank statements, billing, credit and tax material, and other confidential papers. A donation of $5 per grocery bag and $10 per banker box is appreciated. For information, contact Meena Chan Lee at (916) 837-2160.
FARMERS MARKET
A new farmers market is coming to our neighborhood. The market will operate at the Elks Lodge every Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon, starting May 7. The market runs through mid-November.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
