About Carol Newsom
My
Story
Welcome to my world of art and illustration, where every stroke of the brush is a step into a story waiting to be told. My name is Carol Newsom, and I’m a passionate painter and book illustrator with a lifelong love for capturing the beauty of the natural world.
My journey as an artist began when I was just 13 years old. Although I grew up in Texas, it was a family trip to Colorado that truly ignited my passion for painting. During that visit, I completed my first plein air painting of the Valecito River, and from that moment, I was hooked. The experience of painting outdoors, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of nature, set the course for my future as an artist.
Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of illustrating many books, bringing stories to life with my illustrations. I find endless inspiration in the world around me—whether it’s hiking through the mountains, skiing down snowy slopes, or biking along forested trails. These activities are not just hobbies; they’re opportunities for me to observe nature up close, storing memories and details that later become the heart of my paintings.
Now residing in the charming town of Idaho Springs, Colorado, I continue to create art that tells a little story with every piece. My work has been recognized with numerous awards, including Best of Show at the CWS Members Show, and I’m honored to be a Signature Member of the Colorado Watercolor Society, the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, and the National Watercolor Society.
Thank you for visiting my site. I hope my art brings as much joy and inspiration to you as creating it does for me.
Awards & Honors
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Garden State Children’s Book Cover Award
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Moms Choice Book Award
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Honorable Mention at the Evergreen Plein Air Show
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Cover Award by Mountain Connection
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Second Place in the Members Show at the Evergreen Center for the Arts (2013)
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Best of Show at the Watermedia Show at the Evergreen Center for the Arts (2014)
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Award of Merit at The Fall Open Colorado Art Show (2015)
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Best of Show at the CWS Members Show (2017)
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Francis Olsen Award at the CWS State Show (2015, 2016)
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Best of Show at the CWS Members Show (2019)
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Honorable Mention at the CWS Splash Show (2019)
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Award of Merit at the CWS State Show (2021)
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Award of Merit at the Splash Show (2021)
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Best Train Painting at the Georgetown Plein Air Show (2021)
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Scholarship Award at the NWS International Show (2021)
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First Place at the CWS Members Show (2021)
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Best Train Painting at the Georgetown Plein Air Event (2021)
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Third Place in the Fraser Valley Arts Plein Air (2022)
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Best Opera House Painting at the Central City Plein Air (2022)
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Second Place in the Hike, Bike, Ski Exhibit at the CAE Gallery (2023)
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Best Painting of a Train in Georgetown (2023)
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Plein Air @ Altitude Colorado Headwaters Award (2023)
Carol Newsom is a Signature Member of the Colorado Watercolor Society, the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, and the National Watercolor Society.