still under construction!! photos coming soon!

  Growing up in the opposing geographies of remote countrysides of Oregon and Texas and later in life, New Mexico, does have an influence on her work.

Carol was born in the Southwest Oregon region and grew up on their working ranch and dairy farm plant, not only milking the cows but also processing milk into ice cream, bottled milk and other products and delivered to grocery stores and colleges throughout the state. All of the kids growing up on the ranch had daily responsibilities and chores, herding the cows from the pasture to the milk parlor by horse or by foot, feeding & taking care of baby calves, helping with vaccinations, branding and endless other chores.  They had a four digit phone number, she rode her first horse at age 3, caught her first rainbow trout at 4 years old, learned to swim in a river and as a kid, after chores were done, she played in the Redwoods & along the coastal beaches feeling, learning then respecting the giant, physical power and raw energy of the Pacific Northwest Coast.

Her mother , Vesta Louise Estes, was born in Maple, Texas. She was a creative, humorous, warm, kind person who worked hard, loved adventure, raised pheasants and loved to paint land and seascape oil paintings. Carol’s grandmother, Frances, was a portrait painter working in small local galleries in Southern California and her Aunt Janet was a western oil painter from Montana. Alonzo Estes was born in Canadian, Texas, lived in Dalhart, Texas as a teenager during the dust bowl & depression years, served in WWII and later after the war, joined his parents who relocated to Oregon. 

Later in life, Carol’s family purchased another ranch & crop farm and built another dairy. That relocation encouraged a deep understanding of the different straight forward-infinite skies that kiss the flat Texas landscape. She now lives within the surround-sound of this enchanted, spiritual, luminous golden desert light & tremendous history that is….New Mexico. Carol recently retired from Albuquerque Arts Business Organization/ARTScrawl after serving 17 years as President. She is an Albuquerque Local Treasure recipient awarded to artists who have given back to their community. She also served as a director of the Board of Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau from 2007 to 2008, and an alumni of New Mexico Business First 40 under 40. Carol continues to give back by donating to New Day Youth & Family Services, The Indian Youth National Leadership Project, Presbyterian Hospital Foundation. 

Surrounded by ancient cottonwood trees, her Corrales studio is alive with new paintings.