She went from struggling artist to having one of her paintings displayed in an Eero Saarinen home alongside a Picasso and Monet with commissions pouring in from CEOs around the country. In the 1970s and early 80s, anyone who was anyone in Columbus, Ind., wanted one of her originals in their home, too.
Now through July 25, thirty of her paintings are on exhibit at the Indiana State Museum's Thomas A. King Bridge Gallery.
Meet St. Louis resident Carole Wantz.
She says she did cry a bit when her painting instructor told her she wasn't very good at abstract painting and suggested she try painting people instead. After much research, she discovered Grandma Moses and, inspired by that style, began painting scenes of her kids' sports events and other community activities that she'd sell at local events.
It all changed when the Columbus (IN) Chamber of Commerce asked her to do a painting for J. Irwin Miller. He was a philanthropist and business owner in town who just happened to live in a mid-century modern home designed by none other than Eero Saarinen (one of only two private residences Saarinen designed).
The night she unveiled the artwork for Miller, Carole says she was terrified. When she returned to the home, her painting was hanging in the entrance.
"I looked at my painting and looked straight back at a Picasso. I said, 'Mr. Miller, I thought mine would be hanging over the washer and dryer!'"
But Miller loved it, told her no one had ever created such a personal work for him and wanted her to write an explanation of everything in it.
His blessing led to commissions from CEOs of companies across America and people all over Columbus who wanted their own Wantz.
Carole has donated her paintings to numerous school and non-profit auctions and galas in St. Louis over the years. Her works have raised upwards of $1-million.
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