We're nearing the final days of "Chromatic" so we want to make sure that you haven't missed the incredible artists featured. Here is an exclusive interview with painter Carolyn Rhinebarger, who is exhibiting two ethereal abstract works in the show!

Can you share a bit about your background and how you became an artist?

I’ve worked in creative businesses throughout my career. Beginning with fashion as a buyer, then marketing that eventually led to opening my own agency. Color, line and shape were always an integral part of my work and it was a natural evolution to begin creating with acrylics and canvas. Once I left the corporate life, I have devoted myself full time to my art practice.

How did you develop your style? 

I am an avid admirer of Georgia O’Keeffe and, in particular, her later work. The use of softer, more muted colors is my natural preference for their calming effect on an environment. Couple that with my love of blending and wet-on-wet techniques and the result has become my signature style. Some call my work atmospheric, ethereal and lyrical and I love that!

Tell us about the specific pieces you're showing in "Chromatic". Give us a bit of insight into your process of creating them and what you hope viewers take away from seeing them. 

After spending much time working in a blue and green color palette for my Heaven on Earth series, I set an intention of switching things up and working in a warm palette. My focus was the word “glow”. I documented the creation process on Instagram as my “tribe” followed along. Starting with watery layers, I added more layers of color using various tools and techniques. The billowing clouds of glowing yellows, pale pinks, and dreamy grays that emerged were produced by blending every layer. In all my work, I hope that viewers will drink in the imagery, take a deep breath, and feel a sense of calm flowing over them.

What role does color play in your art? 

Color is everything in my art! In fact, I begin every painting with a color palette I’ve chosen ahead of time. I may veer off as the work progresses or add a different color as an accent, but I know what I want to achieve with the colors I’m using. And, since I do tend to prefer muted colors, I have to push myself to add deeper or brighter colors to develop the composition. I also love creating new colors with mixing. They are always a surprise!

Just for fun! What's your favorite color? 

I’m a cool color lover so the range of blues, especially blue greens, is my favorite. Anything from aqua to turquoise to deep teal makes me swoon! I think quite a bit of that is influenced by my environment. Living in the central part of North Carolina, I enjoy vistas of blue skies and green everywhere, even in winter. A short trip to the beach and I’m drinking in the changing colors of the ocean and sky. Or I can head west to enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains in all their blue and green glory.

"Chromatic" runs through April 30th.