Carol Breen: November 29, 1945 to June 30, 2023

It is with great sadness that the family of Carol Breen announce her passing at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre in Fort McMurray, Alberta on June 30, 2023.

Born in Calgary, Alberta on November 29, 1945, Carol was raised in Canmore, Alberta until 1959, when her family migrated back to Calgary so that Carol, her twin sister, Heather, and their brother David could attend "better" schools. Carol was destined to fulfill her dream to become a visual artist.

Carol graduated from Calgary's Queen Elizabeth High School in 1963 and immediately applied to, and was accepted, by the Alberta College of Art at SAIT, also in Calgary, and at the same time, Carol continued taking piano from Mary Munn at the Royal Conservatory at Mount Royal University.

While studying at the ACA, Carol took a double major in textiles and painting. She finished both her music diploma at MRU and her diploma at the ACA in 1967. After graduation from ACA, Carol began her career as a weaver while at the same time creating paintings that presented the viewer with a unique blend of nature and her own particular brand of whimsy.

Carol's painting's can be found hanging throughout Canada, the UK, Japan and the USA. Carol has explored many different themes over the years, eventually concentrating on representing a certain clarity of form, colour and mystery that she absorbed from the world around her.

Carol is survived by her loving husband: Augustus Gianis; son: Daylin (Erika); grandchildren: Maya & Rowan; brother: David (Pat); sister: Heather (Don) and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cremation has taken place through Robert Anderson Funeral Services Inc. and a Celebration of Life is scheduled to take place at the Doug Barnes Cabin on Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Carol Breen Celebration Of Life July 16, 2023

My Studio is my Sanctuary

I'm in my studio exploring the possibilities of all the BLUE watercolours I've collected over the years.

I have a new appreciation for every tube of paint, brush, pencil and piece of paper that I have. We are so fortunate that nothing was damaged or lost in the Fort McMurray wildfire.

My studio is my sanctuary. It's a pleasant place to be.

2016 Buffy for Visual Arts Award

Last evening I attended the Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Awards event. The festivities and performances were most enjoyable. It was an honour to receive the 2016 Buffy for Visual Arts award.

I'm also delighted with the amazing Turquoise Bear Necklace, made by Kathleen Marcel. I look forward to wearing it.

The Fort McMurray Arts Council is doing a great job. Thank you for your important work.

Inspired by the raven, the river, and the northern lights

I'm surrounded by the boreal forest. For me it's magical. Every day that magic keeps revealing itself to me.

Here are two recent paintings inspired by the raven, the river, and the northern lights.

Back to Basics

My Creative Team

"Autumn Tea" (Teapot Series) Inspiration

My teapot series of paintings began when I saw a Vietnamese, blue and white teapot which had a horse standing on the top of its lid. That image stayed in my mind for years.

One autumn afternoon while out drawing with some friends, we stopped for tea. It was there that my imagination started creating teapots combined with what I was observing --water, trees, leaves, colours, birds and animals. Earlier in the day we had seen a moose!