Cara Croke Art

I know I mainly post my cyanotype and painting work here but my first love was always drawing. There’s something magical to me about a blank sheet of paper and freshly sharpened pencils.

Over the last year I’ve gotten involved with the and it has kept me drawing and excited about working in my sketchbook 💙

Who doesn’t want a little vase of flowers that will last forever?

It’s been a while. The last few weeks (months?) have been a whirlwind of activity and amongst all the craziness I finally found a few minutes to make a few new pieces. I’ve been thinking of ways to explore transparency within cyanotype and I found these tiny bottles that fit perfectly on my paper. This work and a few others will be on display at beginning next week and for the duration of December! Hope you stop in 💙

If you’re in the US don’t forget to VOTE tomorrow! This election is too important to sit back and watch.

I still haven’t totally processed the Pennridge Gallery of the arts show this weekend. I feel so honored to have been awarded first place in the juried exhibition for 2D fine arts! There were so many incredible artists; I am still in shock that I won.

I have been going through months of doubt in my current artwork so to be recognized like this means more than anyone could know. It’s also pushing me and inspiring me to start with some new work and bigger ideas and at the end of the day, that’s the biggest prize of them all!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers with children in their arms and children in their hearts 💕

Something that I don’t hear about a lot in the art world or on social media is the rejection that happens so often in this field. I apply for exhibitions, residencies, grants, teaching positions… and trust me when I say there is a LOT of rejection. I got a rejection letter today for something that I really wanted and it’s hurting more than I expected it to. I’m trying to reframe my mindset that it wasn’t the right time and I’m still in flux with my studio practice but it is still cutting deep. What helps you get over this sting?

Want to spend Wednesday nights with me learning how to draw? Or do you already know how to draw but want some studio time? Come take my drawing studio summer session at the Abington art center!! It’s 5 weeks between June and July on Wednesday nights from 6:30-9:30. It’s an all levels studio, anyone is welcome to join! Click the link in my bio to sign up 💙

Another experiment.

So much of my art making is less about the finished polished piece but about the trial and errors that get me there. In this season of life I find it really hard to experiment because the time I have to make art is so limited and precious. It feels like if I have this small amount of time then I have to make something and make it ‘good’ or it’s wasted time.

I’m trying really hard to move away from that mentality and to lean into experimentation in the moments I have to make art. It’s always a surprise to me when I let myself just follow my instincts.

The other week I posted a piece that I was working on and it had flowers all around it. Well I scrapped the flowers entirely and decided to play around with some gold accents. This is totally different from anything I’ve really done so it feels strange but I also really like it.

Making art (and sharing it with the world) is a weird feeling. My art feels deeply personal at times so sharing it makes me feel vulnerable but I’ve found that the only way to make connections and opportunities is to continue to share it. Thanks for allowing me the space 💙

I don’t usually post things when I’m still working on them but I have hit a wall with this. I had the idea of cutting out the cyanotype prints I made and creating more of a three dimensional world out of them. I got this far and am thinking that if I add more plant prints it will get too busy and confusing.

What do you think?? Give me some advice! Get me out of this slump!!

I am really thrilled with how this print turned out and I’m excited to start printing with basically anything transparent right now! Give me ideas in the comments of stuff that is transparent enough to print with!

Today is the first day of spring and I feel like I am finally coming out of hibernation so I figured I’d show my face on here and say a quick hello.

Sunshine and flowers essentially make up my entire art process so the winter is an especially tough time for my art making. Spring always lights a creative fire in my belly and gets me excited to make some new art! What does spring do to you? Are you starting anything new? Share with me in the comments!

Did you know that in addition to making art I also teach it? This spring I’ll be continuing my Drawing Studio at the Abington Art Center on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-12:30. Check the link in below for information:

https://canvas.abingtonartcenter.org/classes/85

The shape of these hoops always reminds me of retro tvs. It’s like a little window into a different world 📺

It’s funny that I don’t realize how much I miss the sun until I feel it on my skin. The warmth of the winter sun is always such a fun little surprise; trying to find tiny moments of warmth during this cold month.

I spent yesterday making a TON of prints and playing around with compositions. I’m excited to see these in hoops to figure out which I want to embroider. This is giving me so much joy during a time of year when the weather is really bringing me down….

We did it. We made it to Friday. What a week, amiright? We got home from Disney world Sunday night (late) and basically launched into the week not missing a beat. When I say that everyone is tired, it’s a wild understatement.

BUT yesterday I remembered these tiny embroidery hoops I bought a million months ago and decided to play with them. I think these little cyanotype hoops are just so cute. Can’t wait until I figure out what I’m going to do with them….

I’m trying to lean into the winter vibe with my artwork. I’m also playing around with exposing negatives ( the moon) alongside the live plants I use. I like the contrast personally but want to play around with it a bit more.

I’m honestly just happy to be back in my studio making work again. Looking forward to all that this year has to offer me 💙🌔