meet the artist – Mindy Carpenter

She loves painting, writing, wonderful stationery, the ocean, all things nautical, funny animals, travel, books, vintage treasures, pastries, cafes & she especially loves all these things at the same time, which is how Carpe Diem Papers was born. Mindy started painting in 2009 in Sausalito, CA with a fabulous painting instructor for fun, because it called her, the colors, texture of paint, meditative process & the sweet time she had hanging out on Sunday afternoons at the ICB Building, an extraordinary artist’s community on Richardson Bay. She literally sat on the dock of the bay and thought, “one day I will do this full time”.

Company Name: Carpe Diem Papers

Preferred Medium: Acrylics

What would you call your ‘style’? Illustrative and whimsical paintings of everyday beloved vintage treasures: typewriters, tea tins, nautical collections, sweet treats and our funny pets. I am also known for my my Monogram series, a painting depicting modern day decor with an emphasis on a vintage letter and/or quote.

What are you currently working on? I’m continuing on the Monogram Series, several commissions of people’s pets (pugs are a favorite!), and an illustrated book of my paintings that will be accompanied by short essays on life, creativity, “the process”.

What is a favorite piece of art you created and why? One of my favorite pieces is “XO”. One because, it was a one of the first in a series that began my signature look without me knowing it would become my signature. There is a lot of fun and love behind that piece and also became my bestselling greeting card.

Who are your art heroes? Old school: Matisse, Bonnard. Middle school: Rauchenberg, Hockney. New school: Maira Kalman, Kazaan Viveros.

What qualities make your art distinctively you? I have worked in the gift industry for many years so i bring a quirky sense of the newest fad/trend/item into my paintings…for example, deer antlers or vintage charts, chandeliers, furniture design…there is always a hint of tradeshow in there. Also, my use of color has become my trademark. Vibrant chartreuse mixed with aubergine, lots of chalkboard imagery with white script, and very bold palettes.

What do you do when you hit a creative block? Force myself to show up, sit down and even if I do nothing, put paint down and 9 times out of ten I will do something….anything. And a good show in the background helped. I was super productive during the last season of Scandal and House of Cards!!! Lol.

What do you listen to when you create? Either books on Audible, NPR or the TV. At my mentor’s, we listen to classical music.

What other things do you like to do creatively? I cook, i send lots of decorative mail art and i am a writer. My dream is to combine the writing and painting into a series of books: two passions together.

Tell us about any commercial art endeavors:  I do receive a good amount of commissions. They range from someone wanting their pet, a specific quote or letter or a typewriter for the aspiring writer.

Preferred Tools: acrylics paints, brushes, gallery edge canvas.

Find Mindy at her website and/or blog: www.carpediempapers.com and www.mindycarpenter.blogspot.com