ARTIST & DESIGNER
Carol Taylor
In 2001 an accident left Carol a quadriplegic. Carol’s spinal cord was severed resulting in complete paralysis from the chest down. Despite having only some arm movement but complete lack of hand or finger movement Carol was determined to find and embrace the beauty of life. Carol who never painted before her injury spent years teaching herself to use her paralysed hands and with the help of makeshift modifications to brushes and some specially made tools Carol found a way to draw, to paint, and to create. A move from Sydney to the Gold Coast in 2005 gave Carol the time to concentrate on her love of painting. Initially concentrating on oils Carol studied under well known Impressionists Colley Whisson, John Wilson and Barbara Suttie before being seduced by the radiant translucency of watercolours. Acclaimed artist, mentor and dear friend Maryanne Holmes was instrumental in aiding Carol to continue on her artistic journey.
ART & FASHION
In Love with Colour
Carol went on to study under other noted watercolourists such as John Lovett, Greg Allen and was fortunate to also be mentored and encouraged by the Godfather of watercolour, Robert Wade OAM. Carol also has a strong interest in fashion design and since her injury has been adapting designs to suit her disability. In 2019 Carol was invited by the Director of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane to design a collection of 9 inclusive pieces to open the Fantauzzo Next Gen runway event under the name of MeQ Designs, being a play on words, when Carol goes shopping she wants to scream “Me Too”, the “Q” referencing Carol’s quadriplegia. Carol is a current member of the Watercolour Society of Queensland and the Royal Queensland Art Society, Carol lives in Tallebudgera Valley on the Gold Coast QLD with her husband Rob, son D’arcy, and a menagerie of crazy animals.
Artist History
Painting since 2003 – Current
Member of the Watercolour Society of Queensland
Member Royal Queensland Art Society
Group Art Exhibitions
The Bentley Art Show 2010
The Royal Queensland Art Society 2013
RSPCA calendar competition 2014
The Mudgeeraba Show
The Mudgeeraba Show 2016
The D’Arcy Doyle Exhibition 2018
The Gold Coast Show 2018
Agency by Design Artisan Exhibition Brisbane 2018
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane 2019
Tuggeranong Arts Centre Agency by Design Exhibition 2020
Arts Awards
2010 – The Bentley Art Prize – Novice 1st prize
2014 – RSPCA Calendar (month of May)
2015 – Mudgeeraba Show – 1st place
2015 – Mudgeeraba Show – 3rd place
2016 – Mudgeeraba Show – 1st place
2016 – Mudgeeraba Show – 2nd place
2016 – Mudgeeraba Show – 3rd place
2016 – Mudgeeraba Show – Champion Exhibitor
2018 – Gold Coast Show – Individual Art Ability –1st place
2018 – Gold Coast Show – 1ST place – The JOCK MCIlWAIN Perpetual Trophy Award
2018 – Gold Coast show – Show Champion
2019 – Winner of the QLD Access Arts Award ($10,000)