Georgia Kay Carter
I grew up in a small town in Middle Georgia and lived in a house on a wooded hillside with azaleas and daffodils all over the woods and a little creek flowing from a spring in the hillside. I now live in Mississippi in a wooded area colored with azaleas, daylilies, and wildflowers that draw birds and interesting wildlife.
My father was an industrial chemist. I was drawn to chemistry, not only because my father was a chemist, but because I loved colorful minerals and pigments. So, I followed my father’s footsteps and studied chemistry, obtaining B.S. Chem and M.S. (analytical chemistry) degrees at the University of Georgia in Athens. After college, I moved to Hattiesburg and was hired at Hercules Incorporated’s Hattiesburg plant as an analytical chemist, where I worked 36 years and retired as Quality Assurance Manager.
I have always been drawn to art, but never had access to art classes in the rural area where I grew up. I finally took a real art course when USM offered various non-credit courses for adults in the community, so I took a painting course under Dr. Walter Lok. After that, I took a drawing course from Charlene Null, and a watercolor course from Dollye Kirk that opened the world of watercolor to me. As a chemist, I also am quite interested in the paint itself – primarily the various pigments available and their use in watercolor. Watercolor is especially intriguing because of the dynamic interaction of the paper, water, and pigment while painting is being created.
After retirement, I began painting again and took workshops from Ruby Walker, Dana Stratton, Sherri Wimberley, Don Andrews, and Keith Andry. Other artists have influenced my work, but especially the artist members of the South Mississippi Art Association (SMAA) who provide members wonderful instruction, workshops, and online and Zoom™ programs. I also value the SMAA artists who meet weekly* on Thursdays and provide fellowship, guidance, and a comfortable experience of painting with good friends.
I love painting nature – flowers, landscapes, and animals - but anything that catches my eye is likely to become a painting subject, such as rural churches. I live in the Oak Grove area of Hattiesburg and am married to Floyd Carter.
*Temporarily paused because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Georgia Kay Carter