Carrie grew up in Victoria, B.C, in a family and community immersed in the arts. Her family members include fine artists, photographers/film makers, theater and film actors, writers, jazz and rock musicians and composers, all of whom enriched Carrie’s art education. 

Carrie holds a double bachelors degree in Studio Art and Art History from Eastern Washington University, and in 2003 earned a Master of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Art History Studies.  Her Master’s degree coursework took her to Nice, France, where she lived for two summers studying the language, culture and art.  Much of Carrie’s color and texture inspiration comes from her exposure to the rich, earthy, sun-drenched hues of the Provencal and Rivera landscapes.

In Spring semester 2004, Carrie was one of two Washington State Community College instructors awarded teaching positions in Florence, Italy, where she taught Art History and Drawing classes for a group of American college students.  While living in Italy, Carrie was heavily influenced by the dramatic chiaroscuro and idealized figures of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque Master Works that surrounded her. 

For seventeen consecutive summers, Carrie has spent two to four weeks working as a tour guide for custom art and cultural workshop tours in Europe.  Conducted through Eastern Washington University, Spokane Falls Community College, and most recently Washington State University, Carrie cherishes these study tours as opportunities to share with participants the art and cultures which have so profoundly shaped who Carrie is today.  She looks forward to next summer’s trip to Paris, France!

Today, Carrie lives and maintains a studio in Colfax, Washington.  She splits her time between creating/exhibiting her artwork and teaching art and design classes throughout Eastern Washington.