Meet Caryn | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caryn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caryn, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
The end goal is an interesting thought. I am starting my art career when some may be near the end of theirs! But I do have an end goal. For about 10 years before becoming a full time mother, I was making edible art that had a very short shelf life. I moved from New York with my husband who is a native here in 2004. I came as a pastry chef and opened a small bakery in midtown specializing in wedding cakes, sculpted cakes, decorated cookies, etc. I brought my creativity and textile design background into this world and had the chance to create many beautiful (and delicious!) cakes that will live on in peoples wedding albums forever. I happily gave up that world after having my daughter 14 years ago and became a full time mom. During Covid – I decided that I really needed to start something new with a creative outlet – and thought it was time to jump into painting. I pondered which direction should I go? What was something that people really wanted and have an emotional tie to? I thought of dogs and pets immediately! I asked my friend to send me a cute picture of her dog to see if I can do this. I found out a could! They bought him. Then I did another friend’s dog and they bought her. It blossomed from there. Pet portraits were the jumping off point, and has allowed me to get involved in people’s lives through their pets. I’ve loved every single pet that I have painted so far – I get to know them so well without even meeting them. A few portraits that do stand out are the senior pets- cataracts and all – or pets that have crossed the rainbow. Those are very emotional for my clients, and I love that they allow me to create such an important piece for them to have forever. If there are tears, then I know I have done my job. These portraits have led to me to many other commissioned pieces that seem to have an emotional tie to them like homes, family, musical instruments, places, etc. Now, a few years later – I am making art that has a very long shelf life. They are pieces that will be passed down to family or friends for generations to come. I wanted to let my daughter see her mother start a new career – and work hard at it. My end goal may change from now until then. I’m hoping by the end – maybe in 20 years or more – I will feel I reached that personal level of success – that I made a lot of people happy along the way – and I’m leaving something meaningful, beautiful – and just plain pretty behind. (And a little financial success will be nice too!)

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have finally accepted my art style. I am a photo realist for now. I wish I could be like a Jackson Pollack type – so loose and flowing – but my brain just won’t work that way! I find that in my watercolor art – it’s definitely more flowing and loose, maybe that’s why I enjoy them so much – but my brain still cannot escape the photo realism in that either. My paintings are mostly in acrylics – I definitely would like to dabble in mixed media – but for now, I have embraced my photo realism and hope to bring my textile design teachings from college into my new work. My jobs over the last couple of years have been commissions only. I absolutely love doing these personal and meaningful jobs – and will continue, but this year I would like to expand my business. I want to create my own work that I hope resonates with people and gives meaning to them within their own lives. Emotional ties seem to be a running theme in my work, and I definitely want to continue doing art that embraces that. I want to create more art that can reach more people via prints, cards, things that can be personalized, etc…

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
That’s a tough question because there are so many great areas to try! As a transplant and having raised a daughter, I haven’t even seen them all myself! I am guilty of not getting out as much as I would like. Having a friend come would be the best way to get out and see all the good stuff more often! One of my first stops would have to be the Beltline. I need to get there more often because it is so inspiring as an artist. We would just spend the day winging it and see what we would stumble upon. Another day would be Ponce City Market. There I would let my guest decide what we should eat! I try not to revisit the same places all the time, I tend to want to try new things. However, one of my favorite places for dinner is in Colony Square – Saints + Council. I love everything about it – the ambiance, the service, the food – particularly their signature cocktail, Garden of Eden. This will be a MUST!! Other nights would have to be trying a new spot on Buford Highway – Food Terminal is a place I would like to go back and revisit.
Another perfect day to me would be heading to the dog park – Brookhaven Dog Park is a favorite…but with a guest I would definitely head to Piedmont Park. Coming from NYC – I think it would be so interesting to show another park designed by the same person who created Central Park!
A special visit doesn’t always mean running and going – also staying home, catching up – cooking dinner on the grill and just hanging out is one of my favorite things to do as well.
By the time my guest leaves, I’m hoping we feel caught up, full from all we saw and ate, and parting closer than we were when they got there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to make a shoutout to my biggest supporters and fans – my husband Joel Nash and our beautiful daughter Charlotte. Being newer to the art scene, my stable of artist friends will grow. But there is someone I definitely want to shout out, an incredibly talented artist and mentor – Kim Karelson @karelsonk on IG. She’s incredibly talented and deep into art here. Also a friend from the wedding industry – he was an event deisgner and florist, as well as a dancer and artist and actor! He’s super interesting..J Patrick McCann mccannart@mail.com. McCann Art on facebook He’s a character! Please let them know I referred them! They are both amazing.
I am hoping other stay at home moms know that they can have a second coming too! I am so excited for what’s ahead of me and will find my place in the art world.

Website: https://carynnash.com

Instagram: Caryn Nash Art

Facebook: Caryn Nash Art

Image Credits
All photos taken by Caryn Nash