Diamond Painting: Carolyn Steele

I am a snorkeler. The very first time I put on a mask and discovered the magical underwater world of the reefs, I was hooked forever. It was the snorkeling experience that really opened my eyes to the diversity of nature as a whole. I am always inspired by the stunning color, complexity and beauty of the wildlife I have observed in my years of travel in the Caribbean. My images are made up of elements that a nature lover might encounter on a morning walk or an afternoon snorkeling.
I grew up in England and when I was little , I took private art lessons in the countryside where I created detailed studies of flora and fauna in a variety of media. My father, also an artist, inspired and encouraged me from the start. I started to paint pictures of the Caribbean in 1992, in order to prolong the memory of my visits to the Antilles.


I have a background in graphic design, which has helped me to develop my sense of composition, an important element of all my paintings. In graphic design/lithography, I was limited in my use of color. Painting the tropics allowed me to unleash my creativity. I like to work big. I rarely work below 18 x 24 inches, and most of my paintings are on 22 x 30 inch, 300 lb watercolor paper.

I am committed to nature education and conservation, which is why I donate part of my profits to wildlife and reef preservation projects. I hope my works will decorate and make people appreciate the incredible variety and fragility of the biosystems I paint. The majority of species represented here are native to the West Indies, and many of them are endangered.