Carol Santora says of her work: I love animals, I always have... and painting them is my passion.

I paint various subjects however I am best known for my expressionistic soulful animal and wildlife portraits.  Each painting begins with a foundation of thorough research that includes site visits to farms, zoos and rescues all over the United States. Whether it’s an intimate close-up of a big cat or a commission of a cherished family pet, my goal is to simplify my subject to capture its essence and unique personality

At home with several mediums, my favorite is soft pastel because of the clean, intense color.  Using vibrant color conveys a sense of vitality in my work and provides the means of expressing my own personal vision.

A portion of the sales of my “big cat” paintings is donated to rescue facilities where the cats I’ve painted live.  Locally, I donate a portion of the sales from pet portraits of AWS-adopted dogs to the AWS.