This is the House

Born in the bread-basket of Bakersfield, California, Carrie Keller is one of 9 children. The town’s home-like feel connected its residents through a generation of ’50s Americana. Beyond oil-fields blanketing the bluffs and a dairy industry scattered throughout the region, a melting pot of Artisans with creative and cultured experiences awaited all newcomers.

Carrie’s Grandmother was a supporter of local art and showcased many pieces throughout her home on Sterling Road. One, by Robert Wood took center stage. The Laguna artist painted various landscapes depicting natural settings with emphasis on the seasons being a favorite. His prints and instructional books sold everywhere and are infamous to this story. http://www.robertwood.net/
laguna.html (Western horizon)

Like many in her family, Carrie was creating art from a very young age. Receiving her first art lessons from her uncle Jerry, Carrie’s mother put funds aside each week from the grocery money for art supplies.

When Carrie was 8, her father died, forcing the family back to Windsor, Ontario. Her mother Mary Laverne held down several jobs to feed and house her children. Holding a sense of moral responsibility, she lived without complaint. Mary loved her sweets and sharing recipes, but was also religious about her health, and was written up in the paper once, for kick-boxing.

Hired as a grill cook at the A&W when she was 16, Carrie used her own money to travel back to California with a girlfriend to visit her birthplace and that painting on the wall where dreams were made. In a desire for clear paths, rules and procedures, Carrie travelled far through a conversation with her future brother-in-law about his experience in the Canadian Navy.

Within two years, Carrie signed up with the Canadian Armed Forces. After basic training, she travelled to Borden, Ontario where she trained for a Trade’s position as a Cook. From there, Carrie served 1 year at CFB Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. The tour changed her life.

Located above the Arctic Circle, Inuvik is blanketed by polar night some 30 days each winter. Rejoicing with a bonfire in early January, locals celebrate the sunrise with fireworks, music and all things food.

With 56 days of 24 hour sunlight, Inuvik’s northern lights ribbon and glow from August through early May each year. Connecting strong communities through its people, transforms the Land of the Midnight Sun, despite the cold and food insecurities common in Arctic Canada.

In a career spanning 15 years, Carrie immersed herself in new adventures while creating | selling art in her down-time. She especially loved the feel of small outlying communities, and the tight pull of others working together serving the public good. This is the house

In various postings across Canada, Carrie worked in a largely male-dominated field. It did not hold her back. With piqued curiosity, she travelled to Germany and took some art courses while hopping countries to France. In reflection, the beauty and atmosphere of the countryside changed Carrie. Retiring from the military, she moved to Florida with her daughter to work full-time on commissions and murals through her business, Paintings to Order. https://paintingstoorder.com/

Hosting visits from family in Canada, Carrie took work as a Nurse’s Aide between teaching art. After living in the hurricane riddled area of Cape Coral for 20 years, Carrie felt the pull of home after surviving a heart attack and moved back to Canada where she purchased a house in Winchester.  

Giving back to her community is one way Carrie honors her mother’s struggle of keeping her family together. Through an online auction with the North Dundas Community Food Sharelast Christmas, Carrie generously donated 30 paintings through her social media page.

On Thursday’s Carrie teaches an art class in Chesterville. Inspired by her style, the group finds a patient teacher with a calm spirit. With focus on animals, landscapes and portraits, we see the soul within.

In one’s ability to bring out another’s talent, a social atmosphere of inspiration is created.

Drawing the eye to one’s oasis proves that what we do matters. Paintings and murals such as Carrie’s, are as sentient and tangible as a 16 year old girl’s smile in the California sunshine.