Carol Es was born in 1968 in Santa Monica, California and began life as an artist at age six, drawing cartoons underneath tables in bowling alleys. A shy recluse, Carol spent most of her time alone while her family relocated more than 15 times before age nine. As a result, she attended school very little and any formal education ended before the 5th grade.
By the age of 14, she left home to fend for herself, spending much of her adolescence in public libraries teaching herself to read. Now a dedicated and prolific self-taught painter, she lives/works in the Los Angeles harbor area, creating distinctive paintings.
Carol has come to express herself wholly in her art after surviving a traumatic childhood, sexual and religious abuse, rape and disabilities. Despite past experiences, her art is still hopeful, carries humor and wit, and is positive in personality.
While her work has been described as "Outsider" and "Folk-Pop", she feels she is making these works as a result of something more natural within herself, rather than fitting into any particular genre. Some of her collage paintings contain found objects or elements she sculpts from clay or papier-mâché. Much of her work includes her own written prose - personal experiences laid bare and forged directly into the pieces, making them not only powerful works, but tangible pieces of personal therapy. Viewers can witness a distinct honesty in her work. Her collectors are loyal and many, as she has sold most of her inventory of over 400 paintings.
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