Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Carol Ann Lee Hedrick grew up in Sarasota, Florida. She is a graduate of The Ringling School of Art and Design, one of the oldest and most prestigious art schools in the nation.

In 1995, after 22 years as a graphic designer, Carol took advantage of the fine art education she received at The Ringling School of Art and Design and began her artistic journey as a watercolorist.

At her studio in Georgia, Carol is inspired by travel photographs taken during the 1940’s and 1950’s by her Grandmother, Ruth Hudson Lee. Ruth was a Professor of Painting in the School of Art at Syracuse University and a nationally known watercolorist. She was also a world traveler, fine photographer and lecturer. The photographs were taken on trips throughout Europe, Canada, Central America, Mexico and the United States. Ruth took photos wherever she went, always thinking of future paintings or capturing a wonderful moment.

When Carol creates a figurative painting from one or more of Ruth’s photographs, she connects with the people Ruth met on her travels and shows the world unique scenes from the past. Each of her paintings has a story that takes the viewer back in time. No scene is chosen by Carol unless an emotional connection is made with the people in the photograph. Whether she paints people from foreign countries or the United States, she hopes to convey the great pride, strength of character and happiness in their lives.

Always fascinated by the human face, Carol also does commissioned portraits. Whether the subject is a child or an adult, living or deceased, Carol knows that the commissioned portraits she paints are special works of art. They represent personal, happy memories for each client and are painted with care and respect, as she achieves a wonderful likeness.

While painting in a realistic style, Carol places a strong emphasis on color, lighting and capturing the emotion of that “moment in time”, as she connects with the very special people featured in her paintings.

In the fall of 1998, Carol joined the Atlanta Artists Center and also began exhibiting her work. An award winning artist in both national and local shows, Carol’s work has also been shown at Agnes Scott College, Morris Brown College, The Marietta / Cobb Museum of Art, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce Gallery, the Atlanta Artists Center Gallery, the Right Brain Art Gallery and the GASP! Gallery at the Tula Art Center in Atlanta. Her gallery and commissioned works are in private collections throughout the United States.

Married to a fellow graduate of The Ringling School of Art and Design, Thomas D. Hedrick, Carol is also designing necklaces and earrings in a joint venture with him under the name Hedrick Orchids, a line of hand cast orchid jewelry. While painting remains her primary focus, Carol enjoys the jewelry design immensely and finds that the two not only compliment each other, they create balance in her life as an artist.

Memberships

American Watercolor Society

Atlanta Artists Center

Exhibitions and Awards

1999

“11th Annual Visual Arts Exhibition”, a juried show at Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Georgia.

“12th National Juried Art Exhibition”, a national juried show with artists from 29 states; Mable House Cultural Center, Mableton, Georgia.

Two watercolors juried into the exhibit.

*Honorable Mention awarded for “Sunshine Serenade”.

September Members Juried Show, “Remembering”; Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

*First Prize awarded for “Precious Jewels”.

“Rock, Paper, Scissors: Artwork 2000”, a juried show at the Ruth Hall Hodges Art Gallery, Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia.

2000

“Winners Circle”, a special juried show of award winning AAC artists; Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

*Honorable Mention awarded for “Photo Play”.

“Art Millennium 2000”, an invitational exhibit of 2 and 3 dimensional art; Mable House Cultural Center, Mableton, Georgia.

“The Dogwood Show”, a special juried show celebrating the Atlanta Dogwood Festival; Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

“The 2000 Southeastern Invitational Exhibition”, a juried show with entries from 6 southern states; Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center For The Arts, Duluth, Georgia.

“Quintessence: Celebrating 5 Atlanta Artists”, an invitational exhibit at the Unitarian Universalist Church Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia.

July Members Juried Show, “Explorations”; Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

*Third Prize awarded for “Pedro, at Lake Atitlan”.

August Members Juried Show, “Treasures From the Past”; Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

*Honorable Mention awarded for “Sunday Catch”.

“The 14th Annual Juried Fine Arts Show National Competition”; a national juried show at the Cultural Arts Center of Douglasville, Georgia.

2001

“Winners Circle”, a special juried show of award winning AAC artists; Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

“Metro Montage”, a special juried show of work by metro Atlanta artists; Marietta / Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta, Georgia.

*Both paintings, “Waiting For the 4:05” and “Virginia Hat”, were featured in the

museum gallery guide.

“The Dogwood Show”, a special juried show celebrating the Atlanta Dogwood Festival; Atlanta Artists Center, Atlanta, Georgia.

“Eco Art/Eco Auction”, Generation Green Art Auction sponsored by the Georgia Conservancy, Atlanta, Georgia.

“Memories of Lake Atitlan” sold at auction.

“14th National Juried Art Exhibition”, a national juried show with artists from 31 states; Mable House Cultural Center, Mableton, Georgia.

Two watercolors juried into the exhibit.

**Awarded the Mable House Award of Distinction (Best in Show) for “Waiting For the 4:05”.

Cobb Chamber of Commerce Gallery: “Watercolor Paintings by Carol Ann Lee Hedrick”, one person show, August 31 - October 31; Atlanta, Georgia. Coordinated by the Artists League of Cobb County.

“The 15th Annual Juried Fine Arts Show National Competition”; a national juried show at the Cultural Arts Center of Douglasville, Georgia.

2002

“Metro Montage II”, a special juried show of works on paper by metro Atlanta artists; Marietta / Cobb Museum of Art, Marietta, Georgia.

*“Market Day Memories” was the featured painting on the exhibition announcement card and the banner outside the Museum.

Gallery TAJ: A gallery with international clientele, owned by The Transatlantic Journal and MCM HOLDINGS, LLC. A group exhibit including paintings, sculpture and photography; Marietta, Georgia.

“15th National Juried Art Exhibition”, a national juried show with artists from 20 states; Mable House Cultural Center, Mableton, Georgia.

Two watercolors juried into the exhibit.

*Merit Award for “Market Day Memories”.

Right Brain Art Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia. Celebrating women artists during the month of October. Featured watercolorist August 8 - Dec. 22.

2003

Tula Art Center, GASP! Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia. Featured figurative watercolorist

May - December.

2004

“17th National Juried Art Exhibition”, a national juried show with artists from 27 states; Mable House Cultural Center, Mableton, Georgia.

Two watercolors juried into the exhibit.

*Merit Award for “Point of View”.