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Carole Ranney
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
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July 30, 2006--As a Kansas Painter in the 1980's Carole saw a series of articles about out-of-the way Kansas towns...those articles gave her an idea. Why not paint a scene from every county in Kansas....all 105 of them. |
"Oh man, I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't want to do something creative."
Artist Carole Ranney is on the cusp of an adventure. An adventure that started over 22 years ago.
'"It started out wanting to do one painting per county. But some counties are just so interesting and so beautiful that one painting is not going to do it." |
For awhile, life got in the way, children's, family illnesses, then earlier this year with everything under control, she decided to go on the road again.
"I packed my paints and decide I was going to finish this project before I died. And it may take me that long." |
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I caught up with her as she painted on this Historic 1893 iron truss bridge in Elk Falls, Kansas.
"I see shades of purple in the shadows and where the rocks are wet they are just kind of a dark brown and they just glisten in the sun. You can hear the water coming over the falls, it's not loud or roaring, it's just kind of a gentle trickling noise that I enjoy." |
Now in these places where nature meets art, Carole's pallet contains a lifetime of images and experiences that she
applies to her Kansas Landscape project.
"I just really enjoy trying to capture the landscape with my paint. And when I paint, the world just goes away. I can't paint and worry about all of the cares of the world. It is just that self-absorbing to me." |
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Carole says Kansas in her eyes, is much like a young girl.
"I kind of describe her as being a little bashful. You just have to get to know her to find the beauty."
"It's fun, I do love it." |
And Carole has found that beauty in watercolor, acrylic, and oils -- as the ability to 'see' the art is transferred from mind to canvas.
"It's a good day when I can say 'Carole, you did well today.' When I've had a good painting day, I can just lay down at night and be at peace with who I am and what I've done that day. And I don't think you can ask for more than that." |
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Larry's Note: For more on Carole Ranney's paintings, she can be reached at 263-0984
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