Carol Rowan, an experienced fine artist from Woodley Park, is known for her intricate monochrome sketches. Her stunning artistry is represented in a number of prestigious venues, like the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.” Her most recent solo exhibition showcased her extraordinary graphite drawings, which represented a nearly lost art form that received praise for its infrequency and grandeur.
Rowan’s move to Woodley Park in 2008 was also a personal new beginning, fitting neatly into both her living and working spaces. The location’s relationship to influences like the Phillips Collection and the gardens and architecture of the National Cathedral are critical to her creative process. Rowan’s background as a cellist (a legacy of a musically inclined upbringing) brings with it discipline and focus that she channels into her visual art projects.
Rowan’s artistic expression has been in continual evolution over her 40-year career. Starting with realistic graphite compositions, she ventured into painting, and now looks forward to adding sculptural uses of wood and metal to her skill set. Her influences are many: everything from the lines of historic architecture to the natural beauty of places she’s visited considerable distances to see (and paint) and to urban details seen through the intimate lens of long-staying bicycle rides in Woodley Park and elsewhere.
Rowan praises the talent in Washington, D.C.’s dynamic arts scene, which covers virtually every medium, from visual arts and theater to music. “I live off it,” she said of regular visits to museums and galleries, which provide comfort and inspiration from the masters of art history. Although public health challenges have redefined how it all comes together, her practice now thrives — working with constraints as catalysts for creativity and resourcefulness.
In Woodley Park, Rowan is an active figure, engaging with the community through cycling, running, and social gatherings. The symphonic sounds of the National Cathedral bells and the distant calls from the National Zoo animate the area’s atmosphere. She values local festivities and envisions Woodley Park as a potential hub for artistic exposure, with avenues for artists to exhibit their work, interact with the community, and contribute to the district’s diverse cultural tapestry.
