Exceptional Woman:  Caren Frost Olmsted
Visit her on the web at:  www.carenfrostolmsted.com
Email:  info@cfodesign.com
Phone: 908.208.7516

After graduating from Bates College, Caren worked as a Theatre Designer for a time & then obtained a degree in Art Education, from Appalachian State University.  She then began teaching art in Georgia and North Carolina.  With the birth of her first child in 2002, she swapped the chalkboard for the paintbrush & has been a working artist ever since. Her company, CFO Design, specializes in acrylic paintings, illustration, murals and faux finishing, as well as hand-painted instruments.  Caren’s work has appeared in galleries, on festival posters, commissioned paintings, the sides of buildings & guitars as well as in the interiors of books.  She was recently featured doing a mural on The Learning Channel’s hit show, “Moving Up,” and completed four large scale murals for Whole Foods in Annapolis, MD.  She has illustrated two books, “The 30 Day Money Mastermind Makeover” by Dr. Karen Monroy, and over 50 of her illustrations grace “The Woman’s Field Guide to Exceptional Living” by Corrie Woods (both are available at the author’s websites and on Amazon.com).  You can view more of Caren’s work online at www.carenfrostolmsted.com. 
Caren lives in Basking Ridge, New Jersey with her husband & two sons (who are her most spectacular creations). 

Highlights:
Murals: Living with a mural is living with art on a grand scale. A custom mural can be created to enhance any location- there are no limits! Murals provide visual interest & differentiate your home or business from all others. Each is a custom work of art, created for you.  CFO Design creates murals indoors or out (residential and commercial)- on walls, ceilings, furniture, & even on canvas or panel so that they can be removed & transported to another location.  We are fully bonded, insured, and love to travel!                          

Illustrations: Caren Frost Olmsted has illustrated posters for a variety of festivals & book projects. She has a unique talent for capturing the essence of what an event or story is about & then translating that into an image. Illustrations & posters can be created from any media- paint, colored pencils, oil pastels, pen & ink, pencil, collage, digital art, etc.  Please contact me with any questions you may have.

Illustration for “Day 19” in 30 Day Money Mastermind Makeover by Dr. Karen Monroy

Illustration by Caren Frost Olmsted
Pen, ink and watercolor pencils on paper, 2009.

Instruments: "The instruments I work on are sometimes gifts, sometimes commissions, & sometimes rescues from the sands of time. When I create a new piece, music drives my work, leading me to colors, ideas, thoughts, and brushstrokes I never planned."

Recommended Reading 

…and then there is every book that Tom Robbins has penned.  He is an inspirational and slap happy blend of play and philosophy!

A Favorite Quote

"Those who sacrifice beauty for efficiency get what they deserve" Tom Robbins

Favorite Charitable Cause:
Somerset Art Association: http://www.somersetart.org/

I started taking lessons at Somerset Art Association when I was a young child.  This organization has shaped me in numerous ways and is an incredible resource for artists in our community.

Comment about the book, The Woman’s Field Guide to Exceptional Living:

I loved illustrating Corrie’s book for her!  Corrie’s emphasis on play continually reminds me to not only be grateful for the fact that my “work” is play, but also to allow play, joy, and lightness of heart to seep into all areas of my life.  Everyone that I have gifted this book to has reported back similar experiences!  Thank you Corrie!  Looking forward to more from you!