Carrie is co-founder of Minnesota Realists, a local organization supporting artists trained in realism. Originally self-taught in charcoal with an emphasis on still life, Carrie spent years developing her style. She was particularly interested in capturing the light and shadows emanating from crystal and fine glass. As she expanded her medium to include oils and mixed media, Carrie was drawn to seek professional training.
In 2001 Carrie retired from a 21 year career as a public defender for Juvenile and Family Court in Ramsey and Washington Counties. With encouragement from her family, she began to pursue her love of painting and drawing. But, it was not until 2008 that she began formal training at the Edina Art School. In 2009 she applied to The Atelier in Minneapolis and spent four years of rigorous training in the Atelier method of realism under the direction of Cyd Wicker and Dale Redpath.
An “imaginative realist,” she works in oil on canvas and on wood panels. Her work includes figure drawings, portraits, still lifes, landscapes, seascapes and florals. Her artwork is influenced and inspired by her travels and the people she has met, her interest in differing religious beliefs, her desire to capture the movement, beauty, and light in water and glass,
and the beauty of florals.
Carrie’s commissioned works include portraits, pet portraits, farm houses and historical buildings. Some of Carrie’s most prominent series of works, include The Ten Plagues, Strong Women in the Bible, Water and Sand: Forging a Nation and The Power of Water. She has participated in numerous juried and non-juried art exhibition events. Carrie is passionate about sharing her art with others in various forums.
Early in 2020 Carrie began a Group Salon Series in her third floor studio to have discussions around her art and other topics. The discussions which were lead by a scholar, poet, author, musician, scientist or philosopher, had glowing reviews. Unfortunately the pandemic temporarily shut down these small group discussions. As people are vaccinated we look to the future with great anticipation in starting the events up again.
Her studio is located in a historic mansion on Summit Ave in St. Paul, Minnesota and her work appears regularly in exhibitions locally and around the country.
In 2001 Carrie retired from a 21 year career as a public defender for Juvenile and Family Court in Ramsey and Washington Counties. With encouragement from her family, she began to pursue her love of painting and drawing. But, it was not until 2008 that she began formal training at the Edina Art School. In 2009 she applied to The Atelier in Minneapolis and spent four years of rigorous training in the Atelier method of realism under the direction of Cyd Wicker and Dale Redpath.
An “imaginative realist,” she works in oil on canvas and on wood panels. Her work includes figure drawings, portraits, still lifes, landscapes, seascapes and florals. Her artwork is influenced and inspired by her travels and the people she has met, her interest in differing religious beliefs, her desire to capture the movement, beauty, and light in water and glass,
and the beauty of florals.
Carrie’s commissioned works include portraits, pet portraits, farm houses and historical buildings. Some of Carrie’s most prominent series of works, include The Ten Plagues, Strong Women in the Bible, Water and Sand: Forging a Nation and The Power of Water. She has participated in numerous juried and non-juried art exhibition events. Carrie is passionate about sharing her art with others in various forums.
Early in 2020 Carrie began a Group Salon Series in her third floor studio to have discussions around her art and other topics. The discussions which were lead by a scholar, poet, author, musician, scientist or philosopher, had glowing reviews. Unfortunately the pandemic temporarily shut down these small group discussions. As people are vaccinated we look to the future with great anticipation in starting the events up again.
Her studio is located in a historic mansion on Summit Ave in St. Paul, Minnesota and her work appears regularly in exhibitions locally and around the country.
In the summer of 2018 Carrie began working with Joy Wolfe, curator and fine art consultant, to expand her reach in the community and share her art with a broader audience. Through a collaborative process, Carrie and Joy create multi sensory exhibits around Carrie's imaginative paintings to engage the audience in more of an interactive approach to art exploration.
These are a few of the exhibits they have collaborated on prior to the pandemic shutdowns:
Floral Infusion ~ A Feast For The Senses, October 2018, Cambia Gallery, Minneapolis
Carrie's first Solo Exhibition was a three day event with a champagne reception and a feast for the senses with fresh flowers, a violin soloist, local fare, candlelight and a gallery of fresh new floral paintings created for this event. A special limited edition print was created from her original painting of a yellow rose, "Homage to Cambria".
Strong Women of the Bible, November/December 2019, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, St. Paul
Solo Exhibition of 39 paintings, charcoals and studies. Depicting the strong women of the Bible, with narratives beside each painting showing a few aspects of the complexity, rewarding repeated study, and multiple lessons conveyed in each painting. Carrie gave a powerful 30 minute presentation, followed by a discussion and video produced with Emmy award winning storyteller Mark Anderson. Followed by a gallery tour and individual discussions with the artist.
The Power of Water, January/February 2019, Edina Art Center, Edina
Minnesota Realists, Carrie C.S. Kleinberger and Dyan Padgett, exhibited over 20 paintings with a captivating theme around water. The paintings invigorated all who dared to venture out during a cold Minnesota winter and transformed them to be like water, flowing and flexible containing a message of spiritual reverence. Fountains flowed and vessels of sand, seashells, sailing maps, crab claws, driftwood, fishing nets and oars transported the viewers to vistas and beaches, images of canoes and sailing vessels, sea turtles, lion fish and lily pads all about. Fox 9, Morning Buzz heard about the exhibit and asked to interview the artists in studio on January 21, 2019.
Celebrating the History and Traditions of the Atelier, October, 2019, Griggs Mansion, St. Paul
Wine and Cheese Reception reintroducing the Salon Experience in Carrie's Summit Studio, with soaring European Style North Light windows. This event was in collaboration with The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art and their Capital Fundraising Campaign Kickoff. Carrie is an alumni of the art school and [her] studio was the Imaginative Studio of the Founder, Richard Lack in 1984-87, back when it was " Atelier East".
Sundays at Summit Salon, February 2020, Griggs Mansion, St. Paul,
Guest Speaker, Vernon Pollard, Philosopher
Group Salon Experiences to occur once a month by invitation only, due to space restrictions.
A stimulating environment in which to view and discuss her latest artwork with food and beverages centered around a topic or discussion. To be lead by an artist, scholar, poet, musician, scientist or philosopher. Mr. Pollard was the first guest speaker before the pandemic shut down all events.
In the interim Carrie's work can be viewed on her website, Instagram, Facebook and Artwork Archive. We can customize a virtual experience or discussion tailored to your needs. The studio is open for personal visits. We practice careful social distancing, with masks and a HEPA air filter, and would be happy to welcome you.
These are a few of the exhibits they have collaborated on prior to the pandemic shutdowns:
Floral Infusion ~ A Feast For The Senses, October 2018, Cambia Gallery, Minneapolis
Carrie's first Solo Exhibition was a three day event with a champagne reception and a feast for the senses with fresh flowers, a violin soloist, local fare, candlelight and a gallery of fresh new floral paintings created for this event. A special limited edition print was created from her original painting of a yellow rose, "Homage to Cambria".
Strong Women of the Bible, November/December 2019, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, St. Paul
Solo Exhibition of 39 paintings, charcoals and studies. Depicting the strong women of the Bible, with narratives beside each painting showing a few aspects of the complexity, rewarding repeated study, and multiple lessons conveyed in each painting. Carrie gave a powerful 30 minute presentation, followed by a discussion and video produced with Emmy award winning storyteller Mark Anderson. Followed by a gallery tour and individual discussions with the artist.
The Power of Water, January/February 2019, Edina Art Center, Edina
Minnesota Realists, Carrie C.S. Kleinberger and Dyan Padgett, exhibited over 20 paintings with a captivating theme around water. The paintings invigorated all who dared to venture out during a cold Minnesota winter and transformed them to be like water, flowing and flexible containing a message of spiritual reverence. Fountains flowed and vessels of sand, seashells, sailing maps, crab claws, driftwood, fishing nets and oars transported the viewers to vistas and beaches, images of canoes and sailing vessels, sea turtles, lion fish and lily pads all about. Fox 9, Morning Buzz heard about the exhibit and asked to interview the artists in studio on January 21, 2019.
Celebrating the History and Traditions of the Atelier, October, 2019, Griggs Mansion, St. Paul
Wine and Cheese Reception reintroducing the Salon Experience in Carrie's Summit Studio, with soaring European Style North Light windows. This event was in collaboration with The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Art and their Capital Fundraising Campaign Kickoff. Carrie is an alumni of the art school and [her] studio was the Imaginative Studio of the Founder, Richard Lack in 1984-87, back when it was " Atelier East".
Sundays at Summit Salon, February 2020, Griggs Mansion, St. Paul,
Guest Speaker, Vernon Pollard, Philosopher
Group Salon Experiences to occur once a month by invitation only, due to space restrictions.
A stimulating environment in which to view and discuss her latest artwork with food and beverages centered around a topic or discussion. To be lead by an artist, scholar, poet, musician, scientist or philosopher. Mr. Pollard was the first guest speaker before the pandemic shut down all events.
In the interim Carrie's work can be viewed on her website, Instagram, Facebook and Artwork Archive. We can customize a virtual experience or discussion tailored to your needs. The studio is open for personal visits. We practice careful social distancing, with masks and a HEPA air filter, and would be happy to welcome you.
Work Samples
