Carole Stevens Bibisi, Author, Artist & Poet, Tells Her Story

Kia ora, hello, my name is Carole Stevens Bibisi. I was born and raised in Invercargill, the southernmost city in the beautiful South Island of New Zealand, and many years later, I moved to Australia. The Bibisi name was added in 2002 when I moved to America in 2002 to marry my sweetheart!

Metamorphosis

I trained in Art College in New Zealand, studying Lettering, Illustration, and Design. Over the years I have gained a wealth of artistic experience, having earned my living working for major advertising agencies, newspapers and a chain of fashion stores as their advertising and display manager.I especially enjoyed creating fashion drawings for newspapers and window display art.

Earth Angel

My primary source of design, passion, and inspiration comes from animals and nature, and my deep yearning to manifest God's harmonic spirit of unconditional love and beauty, as it lives in me, and works through me in perfect harmony. Yes! The human and divine duality that occurs when our combined energy blends together in a lush palette of intoxicating rainbow colors, as we joyfully become co-creators of healing and peace on earth!

My art illustrations are inspired by not only my love for animals but also rainbows and stained glass windows. My art chose me to give life to mandalas, mermaids, angels, goddesses, and cats. The love of vibrant rainbow colors shows in everything I create. My medium is Prismacolor pencils, paints and markers.

 

Sad Mermaid

As a mother of three grown children and a grandmother of five, I became inspired to write children's books. My first book Tails of American Bronte was published in 2007. There's a load of black cat magic in this delightful 'Tail' of adoption. My sweetheart of a darling black cat, Miss Bronte, who has tons of cattitude, was my muse. In 2017 Miss American Bronte joined her pals over at Rainbow's Edge.

 

Flowers and Friends

Kids give Bronte 4 Paws Up, and a percentage of books sold helps support animal rescue. I enjoy book signing events and am an outspoken advocate for promoting lucky black cat adoptions. My second book in the American Bronte series is, Bronte's Alphabet. Another book I created, The Rainbow's Dream and Song, is a colorful story of life's lessons learned from the Rainbow.

 

Carole's Books

I am an accomplished musician; a singer, teacher and pianist, who graduated to the highest level in theory of Music and Pianoforte, passing final examinations with Merit and Honors, through London's Trinity and Royal Schools of Music. After moving to Australia to further my musical career, I enjoyed sharing my love of music by becoming a singing teacher and tutoring vocal workshops. My own album, a CD entitled Sophisticated Lady was recorded in Australia. Sophisticated Lady features a repertoire of jazz standards, soulful ballads, and songs from the musicals I have performed in with Duo's, Trios, larger bands and orchestras around New Zealand, Australia, and locally in Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida. One notable highlight was being chosen to sing with an American Choral group at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The CD and books are all featured on my website should you possess a little black cat curiosity!

Lucky Black Cats

"It's our choice to live in the bright rainbow of our hopes, and not the dark clouds of our fears." May you be a loving contributor through art and music, to world peace, joy and healing.

This is week 39 of Artists Tell Their Stories. Thank you for reading and sharing Carole’s story today. To connect with Carole, please visit the following links:

Facebook

Website

Sandman Books

Lorrie Anne Minicozzi, Graphite Artist, Tells Her Story

My artistic story begins the day I was able to pick up a pencil.  Even at a young age I was fortunate to have inherent dexterity and any painting tool or drawing instrument felt natural cradled in my left hand. I attended SUNY Potsdam for two years and transferred to SUNY Stony Brook. I felt the need to get all of my core requirements done in the early years of college – leaving all of my art classes for the end.

In my senior year at Stony Brook I went to see my art advisor for help with my final year’s course load (I needed extra time since I transferred and had a ton of art to make up). He drew a deep breath and told me that based on the doodles on the back of my notebook, that I should rethink my art career. I did. I quit Stony Brook that year. This is my biggest regret – yet strongest inspiration. 

I had learned that I was dyslexic in fourth grade and have since become a pictorial learner. Even though I didn’t have a degree, somehow my visual methodology of learning helped me to impart my knowledge easily. I started teaching graphic design, computer illustration, and ultimately, fine art. 

The senseless, heart breaking tragedy of Newtown, Connecticut was the painful catalyst for me to immerse myself back into portraiture. I was haunted by the beautiful faces of these angels and began, through tears, to try to capture their reflection. It was through these faces that I regained my love for art and passion for expression. I received an amazing gift from the ashes of sadness that I will never forget. I have since donated my portraits to the families of Sandy Hook and Arapaho, Colorado shooting victims.

I have recently moved to Pittsburgh from Colorado. I work in my studio daily and am currently doing a series of portraits to raise awareness for the refugee crisis. These renderings are my therapy and creativity is my aspiration. I have learned that I have not learned enough. I strive to grow as an artist and teach others. Though graphite is my favorite medium – I am dabbling with oil paint.  This I find to be a lifelong education. My traditional realism inclination has been greatly influenced by the eminent masters Albrecht Durer, Caravaggio and da Vinci.

My drawings seek to tell a story of the drama and triumph within my subjects and help me to see the world in a different light.  My message is to never, ever, give up your dreams - to never let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve something. The important motivator should be to do art because it feels good, for you. If you stop trying, you stop living. 

This is Week 21 of 52 Artists in 52 Weeks. Thank you for reading and sharing Lorrie’s story today. To connect with her and see more of her work, please visit the following links:

Website

Facebook