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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
